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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.

Kurt’s Hikes: 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.

Bike/Hike via the Back Door to Tinker Cliffs

We've arrived at Tinker Cliffs pretty much every way you can, save maybe this one.

Swimmin’ Hole!

The two oldest grandsons – both to turn 9 in the fall – have lost a little in the way of hiking enthusiasm from when we first took them out, way back when they were like 6.

Current Issue

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.

Kurt’s Hikes: 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.
Left: A companion joins Gail at lunch. Right: A hot, hazy view from Tinker Cliffs southward into the Catwaba Valley, with McAfee Knob at left.

Bike/Hike via the Back Door to Tinker Cliffs

We've arrived at Tinker Cliffs pretty much every way you can, save maybe this one.
Left: Aden comes off the rocks as Matthew looks on. Right: Matthew heads for the water.

Swimmin’ Hole!

The two oldest grandsons – both to turn 9 in the fall – have lost a little in the way of hiking enthusiasm from when we first took them out, way back when they were like 6.
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Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

June 29, 2026
©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

June 29, 2026
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS