NORTH CAROLINA

When we hike in North Carolina it NEVER disappoints. Like Waterfalls? You have come to the right State. North Carolina has some amazing (and difficult) trails in the Southeast. It offers a wide variety of trails that rate from easy to difficult depending on what you want. For most hikers and backpackers, it’s the Western side of the State that we spend the most time in. North Caronlina also offers the chance to backpack on the Appalachian Trail that borders Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is also on both sides. In fact, the weather can be quite different in both States because of the Appalachian Mountains acting as a “weather damn” sometimes. Some of the best “Trail Towns” can also be found in North Carolina. Towns like Asheville, and Hot Springs. National Forest’s like the Pisgah, and Nantahala offers some of the most dense and beautiful forest’s in the Country.

BEST TIME TO HIKE NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina is divided into 2 sections. Lower elevation and higher elevation. The temps can vary greatly depending on where you are at. North Carolina has some high humidity months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is February (52.2% relative humidity), and the most humid month is August (69.3%). We have seen snow in higher elevations in the Smoky Mountain National Park in May. However the best time to hike in NC is the Fall. Fall gives you the bright Fall Colors of the Forest’s and offers some great weather. High 60’s to Low 40’s offers some great backpacking opportunities. The Southeast get’s a lot of water that get’s pulled in from the Gulf. So water usually isn’t a problem.