What a beautiful walk through the old growth forest! You may enjoy Bernd Heinrich’s book, The Trees In My Forest (1997). Heinrich, is a scientist, biologist, ecologist, and now professor emeritus at the University of Vermont. In 1977, he purchased a three hundred acre plot of cut woodlands in Maine, and for the following decades, studied and observed the regrowth. He wrote of the many varieties of trees, their birth and death, the competition for survival, other life forms the trees hosted, etc. His book makes a walk through the forest so much more enriching. Heinrich, now 80, was also a record-setting marathoner and ultra marathoner. As always, Evan, thank you for taking us on another hike. I enjoy it every time!
I live the way you did your intro. I made it safely home today. I was so sore from climbing Tuesday, I did not think I was going to make it up the mountain to snake den ridge. Then my calves were burning about half way down it. Lol. It was really good to see you again.
Man I was out on the trail and missed this upload the day of! So glad to see this. After watching your videos this summer I finally went on my first hiking trip. 46 miles in 3 days on the BMT by myself. I would not have made had it not been for 6 months of vegging out on your videos Evan.
Nice to see a big time AT hiker doing a short hike, the sort of hike the vast majority of weekend warriors like myself would do...Thanks for sharing your time in the smokies with us all....
Thanks for the thought. Actually, I think of myself as a backpacker who just happened to successfully thru-hike the AT. I've done lots and lots of short hikes! I'm more of a weekend warrior than a thru-hiker.
Great information on the Ash, Fur, and Hemlock trees. Appreciate knowing that information for the next time I hike in the Smokies. Well done Evan. All the best, Crow✌️
Love the smokies! Great day out- glad you got to hike it at a time you could see up to the sky and past the "under story". Looked like a beautiful day.
My son and I were planning on doing this same loop in reverse next week! We can’t now because of a test he has to take at school so we are going to Savage Gulf for an overnighter. And amazingly enough you and Scott were our inspiration for starting backpacking! This was an awesome video thanks for sharing sir!
Thanks for noticing the song. I have a link to the full thing on SoundCloud in the video description. It's a new song of mine and I sort of like it (sometimes I'm not sure, hah).
That was good 👍 We've been enjoying your old AT Videos. Wife and I hiked a trail here in Iowa last weekend that was almost all dead ash trees and it made me nervous in the wind. Found you on Instagram and I'm looking forward to more videos
Hey Evan, great to hear from you. Another coincidence here..... I was just thinking about you the other day watching Hawk on the AT. He did a flip flop and just finished at Springer Tuesday. But, earlier in NC I believe, he stayed at a hostel that had some of your cartoons framed and hanging on the wall. Then, I get on YT tonight and here's a new video from you. Watching Hawk go sobo from Harpers Ferry to Springer made me want to get down south for some hiking. I really found the terrain interesting. Well, take care and thanks for a fun video!!
Thanks for the nice comment. That's Chica and Sunsets Hostel in Franklin, NC. I stayed there and filmed it during my recent hike of the Bartram Trail (in July).
The Greenbriar Giant is a monster poplar worth seeing it's over 24 feet in circumference at chest high. The Mike Maples poplar is supposed to be over 27 in circumference. Both are in the Greenbriar section. The Sag Branch Poplar on the Booger Man Trail is another monster. Good to see you out again.
Very much enjoyed your video. I actually have done that loop backpacking and many many times hiking all of those trails. I love the old growth forests. One of my favorite old growth forests in the smoky mountains are on the ascent at Ramses Cascades. Have you ever been there? Magnificently huge trees in a beautiful forest. Thank you for the video! PS: I’m also a musician.
I have now watched almost every video you have created on UA-cam, and have been inspired to switch to tarp instead of my previous hammocking. I've made three multi-day tarp backpacking trips and have a suggestion for a video that would help me immensely. First, you've talked about setting up your tarp in 5 minutes, but I can't seem to do it any faster than a half hour. I'd like to see what you use for the tarp loop connections in detail as attaching lines to those seem to be the most time consumption. Second, besides setting up on a bed of leaves or pine needles for comfort and rain absorption, if it is going to rain, do you try to have a slight incline? I almost got flooded one night as rain was pouring down the slope and I had to quickly dig a trench above my head to route the water away. Specifics on rain setup would be great to see. And third, my bivvy bug lines had rain running down them, so would like to see how you tie it up with the tarp to avoid that. I am really enjoying your videos! Any backpacking hikes in your near future?
Wow, that's a lot of videos to watch, but thanks! I might make some more tarp videos and I noted all your suggestions. A few points -- I keep some lines tied to the tarp all the time, which saves me time in the set-up. Those (short) lines have loops with a bowline knot so that I can attach other lines to them. On rain set-up, I always have the head part highest with everything running down off the sides toward the feet. I didn't always do it this way, though, and if you have rain coming off around your head it can be a problem. But I always look for something flat, not sloped. As for the bug bivy in the rain, I think I'd usually have the tarp in a diamond, and I secure the line from the bug bivy to the corner of the tarp so that the line doesn't extend outside the tarp and collect rain. A video would probably be more helpful to picture that. I can also say if I got in a situation where rain was riding the line of the bug bivy and the dripping was keeping me awake, I'd probably disconnect the line and let the bivy fall on my face since that doesn't bother me. But that's not a solution for everyone.
Thanks Evan , I never have been there but I have been to Joyce Kilmer before,, man how cool meeting your friend and staying at the same camp and not having it planned. I sure wish I could use a tarp like you do maybe I will work on it this summer, I have a tent in Hammock I use, I like the hammock but on long distance trip I usually don't take it because of the weight, I will be 69 soon so that hard ground and getting up and down in and out of a tent works on my body a little bit more than it used to. Hours uptown Roam Mountain hiking a few days ago and man was at sky blue and you could see forever ,,,, I don't care what time you go up there early or late in the day they are always quite a few people out there. Thanks again I always learn something from your videos
Amazing big trees! I've never seen a hemlock that big. In Maryland there is a survey and eradication program for the Emerald Ash Borer. Pretty fun running into people you know on the trail...
Hot damn. Glad to see you. Always a fan . Live in Califas now but I must say the east looks mighty nice and lovely. And y'all can even have fires. I guess they rake the forests back east? 🤪
Your videos are great! Keep it up. Would have loved to have had video, or audio with the camera pointed at the fire, of your chat around the fire with Scott! Set the camera up at a distance and let it roll!
The Appalachian's began forming ~250 millions years ago. The southern Apps have never been glaciated, eroded only by wind and water and are one of the most ancient mountain ranges on the planet. I hope that conifer beetles don't reek havoc on Appalachian spruce and fir trees and wreck the old growth forest like they have in Rockies.
Evan!! Another great video! Weird coincidence for sure! Someday I’m gonna run into you in the Smokies too and I promise not to creep you out. Smokies are a backpacker paradise in our own backyard. Ok, serious question: your hat I know it’s part of the Tennessee flag but what do the three stars signify? Thanks for sharing e-Wolf!
I am heading down to the smoky mountains in May. But I am trying to find some good maps. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you an love your content 👍🏼🇺🇸
Love your videos. Interested in hiking this loop. Upon initial “web-based research”, I’m not finding an 18 mile loop. They all say 6-7. Would love suggestions. Thanks!
I'm not sure what you've seen on the web, but what you need to do it find a trail map with mileages (there's one the park puts out free online I think), then watch the video and trace my route on that map. The park has literary hundreds of loop hikes. Good luck!
What advise do you have for those of us from the west planning a hike in the smokies and do you know of any good ones for a bunch of guys in their forties and early fifties.
Thanks. Turned out not to be as bad as I feared. You will notice I'm yelling a little though in that first section -- thought I had to do that to be heard. Should have brought a lapel mic.
Yes. Anything above, say, 35 degrees during the day, plus two pairs of socks. Wearing sandals your toes and feet muscles stay more active than in shoes and you're feet don't get cold -- my experience, anyway.
Have you ever made an upside-down fire? I saw a guy do one on my last thru hike of the Foothills Trail in SC and immediately thought of you for some reason. Probably the best camp fire I’ve ever experienced. Little to no maintenance and with a slow controlled burn. Cheers!
Great video! I recently did Baxter / Mt Sterling trail, on your recommendation, and did the Albright loop on that same trip! Great trees, great views. Check out my Smokies videos if you get a chance. Maybe I’ll see you out on the trail!
Omg that’s tooooo funny that you ran into Scott!!! Got so excited to see a new Evan video!! Miss you!!!!!
Thanks Liz! Miss you too!
John 3:16
What a beautiful walk through the old growth forest! You may enjoy Bernd Heinrich’s book, The Trees In My Forest (1997). Heinrich, is a scientist, biologist, ecologist, and now professor emeritus at the University of Vermont. In 1977, he purchased a three hundred acre plot of cut woodlands in Maine, and for the following decades, studied and observed the regrowth. He wrote of the many varieties of trees, their birth and death, the competition for survival, other life forms the trees hosted, etc. His book makes a walk through the forest so much more enriching. Heinrich, now 80, was also a record-setting marathoner and ultra marathoner.
As always, Evan, thank you for taking us on another hike. I enjoy it every time!
Sounds like my kind of book, thanks!
I live the way you did your intro. I made it safely home today. I was so sore from climbing Tuesday, I did not think I was going to make it up the mountain to snake den ridge. Then my calves were burning about half way down it. Lol. It was really good to see you again.
Yes, great seeing you too! Looking forward to your video . . .
Always good to see an Evans Backpacking Video! You really should go back to Hammocking, you make us old guys look bad!
Thank you Evan for sharing the Smokies. Great vid.
Yeah, love your videos. As always, it's good to hike along with you!
Glad to see you back Evan! Great content as usual!
Good to see a video and you enjoying the trails in the Smokies. Take care and Hyk-On!
Man I was out on the trail and missed this upload the day of! So glad to see this. After watching your videos this summer I finally went on my first hiking trip. 46 miles in 3 days on the BMT by myself. I would not have made had it not been for 6 months of vegging out on your videos Evan.
Great job on the BMT, that's not an easy hike!
Always loving it when one of your videos pop up. You should do a random facts video sometime about anything.
Good to see you out again. Take care and stay safe.
Nice! Thanks for the idea for a new place to hike in the Smoky Mountains.
Always great to see a new video from you. That looks like a lovely loop, but I’m too impatient to take three days 😆. Be well!
Thanks for sharing, Evan.
Thanks for taking us along Evan.❤️
So cool you ran into Scott.
Nice to see a big time AT hiker doing a short hike, the sort of hike the vast majority of weekend warriors like myself would do...Thanks for sharing your time in the smokies with us all....
Thanks for the thought. Actually, I think of myself as a backpacker who just happened to successfully thru-hike the AT. I've done lots and lots of short hikes! I'm more of a weekend warrior than a thru-hiker.
Great hike out Evan. So funny bumping into Scott out there.
Nate
Always enjoy watching your vblogs,,,.
Your backpack gives one excellent perspective as to how BIG those old growth trees are! Glad to see you again.
Always love an Evan video. And it wouldn't be one without the map-I really like to see your progress each day.
Always a nice surprise when a new video pops up from you. Hope you and your family are doing well in these crazy times.
Doing well, thanks!
Good to see you Evan 😊
Good to see you. Thanks for sharing.
Always good seeing you out and hiking
It's always good to BE out and hiking!
Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it as well as your others that I have had a chance to watch.
Very cool Evan. I love the Smokies, and you always pick really good trails to hike. Thank you.
You’re welcome!
That’s cool that you ran into Scott. I hope he played the harmonica for you 😁
Thanks Evan. Always good to see another video from you.
So glad to see there was a new video and, as always, the video was great! Thank you for sharing.
Another Evan’s Smokies hike video!! Amazing old growth trees. Thanks again.
Wow. This trail looks like one I could manage. Love hearing the sounds of the water and the leaves beneath your feet.
What a coincidence!Wish I could have been there.....nice fire too.....
Made my day to see you post this video hiking in the Smokies again. Miss watching your videos.
As always, your videos blend information, observations and inspiration. I can’t wait until your next adventure.
Thanks, appreciate that!
I always wondered if Evan gets spooked! Lol, always enjoy your videos.
Beautiful - we needs more open lands to be saved before its too late. Keep on going...enjoy your adventures!
Great information on the Ash, Fur, and Hemlock trees. Appreciate knowing that information for the next time I hike in the Smokies. Well done Evan. All the best, Crow✌️
Love it that your still making videos! Happy to see more!
Good video and great to see you out. Hope to make it to Albright Grove someday.
Great video, hope you continue posting!
That is so awesome you found your friend along the way, great video
Love the smokies! Great day out- glad you got to hike it at a time you could see up to the sky and past the "under story". Looked like a beautiful day.
Nice to see you do another video :). Always like watching your adventures.
You had some really spectacular weather. I love the sound of walking through leaves. Nice to see you! 😀
Great seeing you back out on the trails Evan.
Always great to see your videos
I appreciate that!
Great video as always. Love seeing people hike in GSMNP. I need to go there more. So beautiful!
Thanks ER!
Enjoy your videos! Thanks so much for sharing!
My son and I were planning on doing this same loop in reverse next week! We can’t now because of a test he has to take at school so we are going to Savage Gulf for an overnighter. And amazingly enough you and Scott were our inspiration for starting backpacking! This was an awesome video thanks for sharing sir!
Thanks for the comment, appreciate it. Have fun at Savage Gulf. I need to get back there sometime!
Awesome as usual. Right in my backyard
Cool outro song. Thanks for the video Evan!
Thanks for noticing the song. I have a link to the full thing on SoundCloud in the video description. It's a new song of mine and I sort of like it (sometimes I'm not sure, hah).
That was good 👍
We've been enjoying your old AT Videos.
Wife and I hiked a trail here in Iowa last weekend that was almost all dead ash trees and it made me nervous in the wind.
Found you on Instagram and I'm looking forward to more videos
Thanks!
two of my favorites right there Evan and Scott. Looks like a great trip!
Hah, thanks. Yes it was fun.
That's excellent that you ran into Scott!
Great to see you out, love the vid.👍
Thanks Sam!
Nice trip Evan. Glad to see you back out but you’re doing mileage like I do....short. 😝😊 Thanks for sharing and stay safe!
Hey Evan, great to hear from you. Another coincidence here..... I was just thinking about you the other day watching Hawk on the AT. He did a flip flop and just finished at Springer Tuesday. But, earlier in NC I believe, he stayed at a hostel that had some of your cartoons framed and hanging on the wall. Then, I get on YT tonight and here's a new video from you. Watching Hawk go sobo from Harpers Ferry to Springer made me want to get down south for some hiking. I really found the terrain interesting. Well, take care and thanks for a fun video!!
Thanks for the nice comment. That's Chica and Sunsets Hostel in Franklin, NC. I stayed there and filmed it during my recent hike of the Bartram Trail (in July).
Saline Scott!!!...awesome!
The Greenbriar Giant is a monster poplar worth seeing it's over 24 feet in circumference at chest high. The Mike Maples poplar is supposed to be over 27 in circumference. Both are in the Greenbriar section. The Sag Branch Poplar on the Booger Man Trail is another monster. Good to see you out again.
Thanks for that info, appreciate it!
Awesome that you just happened to run in to Saline Scott!
Awesome video man! We just got back can't wait to go again!
Nice to see ya!!!✌🏻
Very much enjoyed your video. I actually have done that loop backpacking and many many times hiking all of those trails. I love the old growth forests. One of my favorite old growth forests in the smoky mountains are on the ascent at Ramses Cascades. Have you ever been there? Magnificently huge trees in a beautiful forest. Thank you for the video! PS: I’m also a musician.
I have now watched almost every video you have created on UA-cam, and have been inspired to switch to tarp instead of my previous hammocking. I've made three multi-day tarp backpacking trips and have a suggestion for a video that would help me immensely. First, you've talked about setting up your tarp in 5 minutes, but I can't seem to do it any faster than a half hour. I'd like to see what you use for the tarp loop connections in detail as attaching lines to those seem to be the most time consumption. Second, besides setting up on a bed of leaves or pine needles for comfort and rain absorption, if it is going to rain, do you try to have a slight incline? I almost got flooded one night as rain was pouring down the slope and I had to quickly dig a trench above my head to route the water away. Specifics on rain setup would be great to see. And third, my bivvy bug lines had rain running down them, so would like to see how you tie it up with the tarp to avoid that. I am really enjoying your videos! Any backpacking hikes in your near future?
Wow, that's a lot of videos to watch, but thanks! I might make some more tarp videos and I noted all your suggestions. A few points -- I keep some lines tied to the tarp all the time, which saves me time in the set-up. Those (short) lines have loops with a bowline knot so that I can attach other lines to them. On rain set-up, I always have the head part highest with everything running down off the sides toward the feet. I didn't always do it this way, though, and if you have rain coming off around your head it can be a problem. But I always look for something flat, not sloped. As for the bug bivy in the rain, I think I'd usually have the tarp in a diamond, and I secure the line from the bug bivy to the corner of the tarp so that the line doesn't extend outside the tarp and collect rain. A video would probably be more helpful to picture that. I can also say if I got in a situation where rain was riding the line of the bug bivy and the dripping was keeping me awake, I'd probably disconnect the line and let the bivy fall on my face since that doesn't bother me. But that's not a solution for everyone.
Thanks Evan , I never have been there but I have been to Joyce Kilmer before,, man how cool meeting your friend and staying at the same camp and not having it planned. I sure wish I could use a tarp like you do maybe I will work on it this summer, I have a tent in Hammock I use, I like the hammock but on long distance trip I usually don't take it because of the weight, I will be 69 soon so that hard ground and getting up and down in and out of a tent works on my body a little bit more than it used to. Hours uptown Roam Mountain hiking a few days ago and man was at sky blue and you could see forever ,,,, I don't care what time you go up there early or late in the day they are always quite a few people out there. Thanks again I always learn something from your videos
My first backpacking trip was in Joyce Kilmer 40 years ago. Beautiful forest.
Amazing big trees! I've never seen a hemlock that big. In Maryland there is a survey and eradication program for the Emerald Ash Borer. Pretty fun running into people you know on the trail...
Nice! You are an inspiration Evan!
nice hike and camping trip!...I would love to be out there...been a long time since I have made it up to the mountains..just too busy these days!
I was just across the mountain that same day on big creek and Mt. Sterling.
That's where I was the last time I was in the Smokies! I love that area.
Hot damn. Glad to see you. Always a fan . Live in Califas now but I must say the east looks mighty nice and lovely. And y'all can even have fires. I guess they rake the forests back east? 🤪
looks like a good time on the trail! didnt realize you started making videos again looks like i have lots to catch up on
Hah, guess so! But I really haven't made that many new videos.
Your videos are great! Keep it up. Would have loved to have had video, or audio with the camera pointed at the fire, of your chat around the fire with Scott! Set the camera up at a distance and let it roll!
Nice idea but I'm certain it wouldn't turn out well!
Catalooche has some nice old growth trees as well.
Thanks -- and thanks for commenting!
It's about time
New subscriber ✋🏼💋 Loved your At video
Thanks for that! I like that video too!
The Appalachian's began forming ~250 millions years ago. The southern Apps have never been glaciated, eroded only by wind and water and are one of the most ancient mountain ranges on the planet.
I hope that conifer beetles don't reek havoc on Appalachian spruce and fir trees and wreck the old growth forest like they have in Rockies.
You need to come hike Cumberland Gap!
Evan!! Another great video! Weird coincidence for sure! Someday I’m gonna run into you in the Smokies too and I promise not to creep you out. Smokies are a backpacker paradise in our own backyard. Ok, serious question: your hat I know it’s part of the Tennessee flag but what do the three stars signify? Thanks for sharing e-Wolf!
The stars come from the Tennessee flag, as you said, and represent East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee. Thanks for the nice comment!
Just found your channel. Love your vids! Earned a new sub (:
Thanks, appreciate it! You have a lot of catching up to do . . .
Can't believe someone carried a steel fire ring to your last camp site.
I am heading down to the smoky mountains in May. But I am trying to find some good maps. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you an love your content 👍🏼🇺🇸
Love your videos! What type of sleeping pad is that?
Lovely. Props dude. BOB, AT 18
New video! Yes!!
I don’t know how you stay out there. I got caught at sunset in the park the other day and was so cold by the time I got back to my car.
Good video.
cool video
Love your videos. Interested in hiking this loop. Upon initial “web-based research”, I’m not finding an 18 mile loop. They all say 6-7. Would love suggestions. Thanks!
I'm not sure what you've seen on the web, but what you need to do it find a trail map with mileages (there's one the park puts out free online I think), then watch the video and trace my route on that map. The park has literary hundreds of loop hikes. Good luck!
What advise do you have for those of us from the west planning a hike in the smokies and do you know of any good ones for a bunch of guys in their forties and early fifties.
First Woot Woot Evan, Glad to See Ya
Ain't you talented
Thanks!
Go Evan!
Great video. The stream noise was not an issue to this viewer.
Thanks. Turned out not to be as bad as I feared. You will notice I'm yelling a little though in that first section -- thought I had to do that to be heard. Should have brought a lapel mic.
At 2:52. Does that creek really run up the mountain? LOL
Awesome🤘
Still in sandals? How cold do you hike in them?
Yes. Anything above, say, 35 degrees during the day, plus two pairs of socks. Wearing sandals your toes and feet muscles stay more active than in shoes and you're feet don't get cold -- my experience, anyway.
Have you ever made an upside-down fire? I saw a guy do one on my last thru hike of the Foothills Trail in SC and immediately thought of you for some reason. Probably the best camp fire I’ve ever experienced. Little to no maintenance and with a slow controlled burn. Cheers!
I was with some people once who built one. It was exactly as you described.
Great video! I recently did Baxter / Mt Sterling trail, on your recommendation, and did the Albright loop on that same trip! Great trees, great views. Check out my Smokies videos if you get a chance. Maybe I’ll see you out on the trail!
I've got to hike the Smokies. Looks like a lifetime worth of loops up there. I've got to get over the whole sign in for a campsite thing!
The reservation for camping is a big downside of the Smokies.