Merritt McKinney
Just another snowboarder who fell in love with the outdoors. I hike, climb, fly drones, take pictures and make videos. Currently studying computer things at the University of Alabama while exploring Chattanooga, Johnson City, and the North Carolina mountains.
Hike to the Summit of Table Rock Mountain
4.7
2.2 mi
/ 572 ft gain
Off of Highway 181, the trailhead is very clearly marked with a large parking lot. Although the trail is fairly short, make sure you have your footing, because the trail does switch back and forth in addition to gaining elevation -- it's pretty st...
Hike to Big Hump Mountain along the Appalachian Trail
4.5
7.2 mi
/ 2043 ft gain
Towering over Little Hump Mountain, Big Hump Mountain offers one of the clearest views on the Appalachian Trail. Big Hump Mountain is located in the Roan Highlands North of Bradley Gap. This peak is not as traveled as other popular hikes in the ar...
Hike to Green Knob Lookout Tower
5.0
1 mi
/ 313 ft gain
Green Knob Lookout Tower is an abandoned fire tower near Mt. Mitchell and located directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The tower boasts a full 360-degree, unobstructed view of Mt. Mitchell, Craggy Mountains, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and t...
Watch the Sunset from Sugarloaf Overlook
The overlook is easily accessible from a parking circle located off Oswald Road. Follow U.S. Highway from Ocoee, Tennessee for 8 miles then turn left onto Oswald Road. Follow Oswald Road for 2.5 miles until you encounter the overlook on your left....
Hike to the Base of Fall Creek Falls
5.0
0.86 mi
/ 299 ft gain
Fall Creek Falls State Park hosts a variety of large waterfalls which can easily become confusing. The park's main attraction is the 256 foot waterfall dubbed "Fall Creek Falls." Fall Creek Falls is observable from a viewing platform less than a f...
Explore Box Canyon Falls
5.0
0.5 mi
Box Canyon Falls is located on the outskirts of Ouray, Colorado less than five minutes from downtown. The nearly 300 foot waterfall crashes through the canyon down to the town's hot springs. The park also features a bridge overlooking the waterfal...
Hike to Bradley Gap along the Appalachian Trail
4.6 mi
/ 1339 ft gain
Bradley Gap rests along the Appalachian Trail overlooking North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Part of the Roan Highlands, Bradley Gap can be accessed via Yellow Mountain Gap Trailhead. Follow the Roaring Fork Trail from the trailhead until you...
Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook
4.0
0.1 mi
Unaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight.
Take Rock...
Bike the Tweetsie Trail
3.0
20 mi
The course gravel trail begins just east of downtown Johnson City. The trail maintains a flat grade throughout the 10 miles towards the city of Elizabethton. There are restrooms 3 miles in from the Johnson City trailhead. You can also park at Lion...
Photograph Wild Horses at Grayson Highlands State Park
4.5
1.8 mi
/ 306 ft gain
The wild horses gather on top of the bald at the end of Horse Trail North located in Grayson Highlands State Park. Because they are wild, it is important to remember not to touch or feed the horses. The horses are accustomed to hikers and will all...
Rappel Through the Keyhole at Stephen's Gap
5.0
Stephen's Gap is a 150 foot cave in North Alabama protected by the Southeastern Cave Conservancy. It is important note that a free permit is required to visit Stephen's Gap. Directions, parking instructions, and safety tips are distributed after y...
Explore the Historic Leamington Lighthouse
The Leamington Lighthouse, also known as the Hilton Head Rear-Range Lighthouse, was built in 1879 and is now a preserved landmark on Hilton Head Island. The lighthouse is a mere five minute walk from the side of Leamington Lane (located inside the...
Camp at the Chimneys in the Linville Wilderness
5.0
1 mi
/ 138 ft gain
The Chimneys area is a lesser-known camping destination within the Linville Wilderness. The Chimneys are a series of rock formations that rise above Linville Gorge and provide unobstructed panoramic views of the gorge and surrounding mountains. Th...
Mountain Bike the Brush Creek Trail (Tanasi Trail System)
14 mi
/ 709 ft gain
Brush Creek Trail belongs to the popular Tanasi Trail System in Ocoee, Tennessee. The Brush Creek Trail Trailhead is found at Boyd's Gap Overlook off US Highway 64 two miles South from the Ocoee Whitewater Center. From the parking circle, locate a...
Climb at Blue Hole Falls
4.0
0.1 mi
/ 0 ft gain
From TN 91, turn onto Panhandle Road. Follow Panhandle for 1 mile and park in the parking lot to the left.
Waterfall
Follow the path to your right downwards until you encounter wooden stairs. The main waterfall will be to your right less than .1 ...
Take in the View at Chilhowee Overlook
Catch the sunset, bring friends and a picnic, or gaze at the stars from this classic Tennessee overlook!
To reach Chilhowee Overlook, follow U.S. Highway from Ocoee, Tennessee for 8 miles then turn left onto Oswald Road. Follow Oswald Road for 3.7...
Hike around Lake Harris
5.0
1.76 mi
/ 169 ft gain
Lake Harris opens one hour prior to sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. No camping is allowed nor are motor vehicles allowed on this serene lake. From Lake Nicol Road, turn onto the dirt trail, Lake Harris Road. Follow Lake Harris Road for a...
Hike and Traverse the Cables to Dennis Cove Falls
5.0
3.2 mi
/ 300 ft gain
The Hike to Dennis Cove Falls includes three water crossings and passes several small waterfalls. Sturdy cables spanning the width of the water crossings provide a fun way of traversing the creek without wading. It is completely possible to wade t...
Hike to Bay's Mountain Firetower
5.0
3.42 mi
/ 570 ft gain
Bay's Mountain Firetower overlooks the city of Kingsport, the South Fork Holston River, and the surrounding Tennessee mountains. Part of Bay's Mountain State Park, this is the most popular hike of the 25 miles of trails. The hike to the fire tower...
Hike to Tip Top on Buffalo Mountain
4.0
5.4 mi
/ 1388 ft gain
Tip Top rests on one of the highest points of Buffalo Mountain. The overlook features tree coverage perfect for hammocking and benches while providing views of Downtown Johnson City as well as the other side of the mountain range. The hike from th...
Hike to White Rock
5.0
1.4 mi
/ 885 ft gain
The White Rock trailhead is less than a 10 minute drive from downtown Johnson City. When pulling up Highbridge Road, take a left at the fork. You will shortly encounter a vehicle gate where you will park to the side of the road (do not block the y...
Hike to Parry Peak
12.6 mi
/ 3363 ft gain
The trek to Parry Peak crosses three other peaks (Colorado Mines Peak, Mt. Flora, and Mt. Eva) along the Rocky Mountains. Begin your hike around sunrise as inclement weather often rolls in during the late afternoon. The trail is extremely rocky an...
Mountain Bike up Pinnacle Mountain
9.6 mi
/ 1514 ft gain
Pinnacle Mountain is a long, grinding climb to the top. The singletrack winds up 1,500 feet of elevation for nearly 5 miles with few downhill sections. Once at the top, take a rest and climb the fire tower that overlooks the Downtown Johnson City ...
Hike to Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower
3 mi
/ 536 ft gain
Pinnacle Mountain hosts one of the nicest fire towers on the East Coast of the United States. The fire tower is relatively new, sturdy, and has a large 360 degree viewing area at the top. The tower overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabe...
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