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Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

The Classic Beach Walk

The bad thing about a beach walk is that you generally run into an inlet at some point, and have to turn around. Read More

The View from 4,365 Feet

With another 95-plus day in the Roanoke area, we headed for the high elevation of the Mountain Lake Resort and Wilderness area.

Visiting The Giant Soccer Ball Atop the Highest Mountain for 1,200 Appalachian Trail Miles

Of course the climb was worth it as always, as the summit was so cool that Gail put on a jacket as we ate and looked southeast to the Peaks of Otter and beyond. And behind us at the radar station, aliens neither landed nor

Electric Blackberries

The day was hot and the trail surprisingly populated, including a Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club maintainer who said he had begun overseeing this section of the trail 32 years ago when it was rerouted, and has been its guardian ever since.

95 Degrees at Home, 75 at Wind Rock

You drive out of Roanoke at about 11:20 and it reads 95 on the car thermometer, you assume you're in for one hot hike.

Current Issue

The beach!

The Classic Beach Walk

The bad thing about a beach walk is that you generally run into an inlet at some point, and have to turn around. Read More
Left: The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All pauses atop 4,365-foot Bald Knob. Right: The boathouse is at the water's edge in good times for Mountain Lake; on this day, it's a long way over dry land from the minimal remnant.

The View from 4,365 Feet

With another 95-plus day in the Roanoke area, we headed for the high elevation of the Mountain Lake Resort and Wilderness area.
Left: Old man approximately practicing soccer throw-in atop a very tall mountain. Right: The beauty of Turk's cap lily helped ease the climb for The Day Hiker as we neared the summit.

Visiting The Giant Soccer Ball Atop the Highest Mountain for 1,200 Appalachian Trail Miles

Of course the climb was worth it as always, as the summit was so cool that Gail put on a jacket as we ate and looked southeast to the Peaks of Otter and beyond. And behind us at the radar station, aliens neither landed nor took off.
Hot summer haze over Carvins Cove, looking down from the AT.

Electric Blackberries

The day was hot and the trail surprisingly populated, including a Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club maintainer who said he had begun overseeing this section of the trail 32 years ago when it was rerouted, and has been its guardian ever since.

95 Degrees at Home, 75 at Wind Rock

You drive out of Roanoke at about 11:20 and it reads 95 on the car thermometer, you assume you're in for one hot hike.
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Departments

Smith Mountain Lake Virginia is a hidden gem within the Blue Ridge Mountains. This beautiful area features boating, sailing, hiking, shopping, fishing, and much more.
From The Editor

Sarah Smiles: The Lake Effect

Growing up, many of my weekends were spent at my late step-grandmother’s house on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

June 26, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS