Hi! I'm Scott. I love to help people get outside and summit a mountain. My mission is to help you get in shape to climb mountains and have fun.
Download 5 Of The Best Exercises To Get You In Shape To Hike Your First (Or Next) Mountain: sofatosummit.com/
Some of my most fun adventures have been hiking to the top of three 14,000 foot mountains in Colorado, and thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail out in the Sierra Mountains in California for 4 days. I now live in Knoxville, Tennessee and I love hiking the Smoky Mountains. My favorite peak in Smoky Mountain National Park is Mt LeConte.
If you need any help with your hiking fitness programs, need a coach or a guide, please contact me: [email protected]
Пікірлер
wheres the update? could not find.
We're going on hike after 10 days..Will it help ? Visiting a waterfall, which has 6km long trekking route one way. Its gonna be a rainy day. Any suggestions sir? Thank you in advance 😁
Did you mean you're going on a hike in 10 days? It's probably a little late to do any training for it. Have fun! Which hiking trail?
It is a beautiful hike. Well worth the effort. It is not quite as advertised in the video however. It is 4.1 miles to Indian Flats Falls with a steady incline the whole way. Sometimes gradual, sometimes slightly more steep. I would rate this as moderate rather than for beginners. If someone is in descent shape, endurance, and has a good pair of hiking boots, this trail is for you. If you are a beginner with no experience, out of shape, and don’t have good boots or hiking shoes, build up to this hike. Also, Indian Flats Falls is truly hidden. It is not on the main trail and there is no sign telling you to take a small trail to the falls. Too, that small trail is challenging for anyone with poor balance or with physical challenges. Be prepared with water, a first aid kit, moleskin, snacks and enjoy it when ready. It really is worth it, but it isn’t a stroll in the park. It is 8.2 miles of rocks, gravel, sand, roots BUT INCREDIBLE SCENERY!
Good info you provided. But did you watch my entire video? LOL. I gave that info - I stated that it's 8 miles roundtrip if you go the while way. I said that Indian Falls is off the main trail, etc. Check out the 7:10 mark. I even described exactly what to look for to get to the side trail (the bridge, the switchbacks, etc). This was all in the video. It's a beautiful trail and I have guided groups on this hike dozens of times to Indian Flat Falls. I've had beginners, kids, etc do it. A beginner can do a moderate hike. Whether a trail is easy, moderate, difficult, strenuous, etc is always subjective and each person will have a different viewpoint. Thank you.
I wish I would have found this video sooner. I’ll be hiking Mt. LeCont in two weeks
We have done Laurel twice around 2:00pm and it was not anywhere near as busy as that picture.
That's great for you.
Thank you... Lovely video
very good advice!
Is biking allowed on these trails
Hi! No you can't bike on this trail, although you can bike on the road these leads to the trailhead, which is quite beautiful, along the Little River.
I just hiked to Grotto Falls 5/5/24 and took my sister in law and my 79 year old mother in law for there first hike. Went early to avoid the crowds
VERY helpfu.😊
Great job. I have been hiking in smokies since early 70s. Actually not really hard to get away from people.
Well it is not a secret anymore is it???
I don't mind sharing the beauty of this hike with others!
Please leave. Heard there’s some cool stuff in Pennsylvania.
Grateful for your comment.
Thank you for doing this video!
Coming there in April how do a schedule a guided tour please
Very nice video. We have been to the Smokies a dozen times and have not done this hike but have it on our radar for October. So many beautiful spots. Enjoy peaceful days
Enjoy the Smokies in October and let me know what you think of this hike! Do you have a favorite trail in the Smokies?
As someone who likes hiking and mountains, this video was quite helpful.
I'm gonna guess that you are a Scorpio.
I'm not!
@@thegratefulhiker What is your actual sign?
@@austinstitzel I'm a Taurus!
Fuck Mt Leconte Lodge. They gave our room away and turned my wife and me away with an infant child. We had to hike back down the mountain in the cold and dark.
Hello, I came across your video about the Smokies because I will be visiting next month and wanted to find some new spots to explore. I just love it there! Any more suggestions? Btw, just curious, how did your speed dating go?
Week one in the books. Thank you
Awesome! How have things been going with the rest of the workouts so far?
@@thegratefulhiker Thanks for asking. I have had to modify a few things due to arthritis in my left hip but I’m sticking with it overall. I’m doing a little extra reps of the things I can do and extra hiking to make up for the couple of exercises that are painful.
My family and I decided to go on this hike after seeing this video. It was on a weekend during the busy summer season, and we still had the waterfall to ourselves for nearly 30 minutes. The trail and waterfall were beautiful. Thank you very much for the advice.
You're so welcome. I'm glad you got to experience this beautiful hike. Cheers!
Beautiful
Thank you!
I mean really thanks a lot for telling all KZread people
122 million people watch KZread each day. I have less than 1000 subscribers. I think we good, deborah, don't you? LOL 😂😂😂😂 I checked Middle Prong Trail on Sunday and guess what? Hardly anyone there. 😜😜😜😜
You do realize you now told everyone where to go to make it crowded
It's OK. I have less than 1000 subscribers. I think we good. 😂
Beautiful hike and scenery. Where can the visitors park?
There are parking lots at the trailhead. There is additional parking before and after the trailhead lot. The lots can fill up so plan on getting an early start if you want decent parking.
Wow!! That looks like a beautiful trail. We will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing. Liked and subscribed ❤❤❤
You're welcome. Thank you for supporting this channel with a like and a subscribe. 🙏
Interesting. Where is this event? Good luck
I don’t think we will collectively change until we are forced to. We will always choose comfort. The bottom line is that we need to need each other again. We are reliant upon strangers and enormous supply chains that fully remove the necessity for relationships and interaction with nature. So it won’t be until the current system collapses to some degree before we are forced to rely on each other again. Although we shouldn’t wait for that. Now, on another hand we do need each other and we are seeing the dramatic effects of loneliness that make it obvious. The problem is that we can survive now without close tribal bonds. Excuse me if I’m rambling I’m a bit high on cannabis. The answer is something along the lines of community living that functions more on a local level. I wonder if maybe we can create some type of AA but for lonely peope Above all I’m so sorry for the pain of your loneliness brother I wish I could show you the astonishing light of your own being to make everything at peace
Hi great video! We are going (went in 2021) again May of 2024. First, I want to do this trail - i know it is called middle prong trail - to go to lynn camp falls how long is the drive to get to the trail head from gatlinburg. And you may know this - i was looking for a trail with a waterfall in 2021, cant remember the name, drove around for quite a while before I found a small sign for the trail. Went on it and was alone the whole way - maybe a few people, cannot remember. Beautiful trail. At the end the water was great. Really tall and there was a ledge about halfway up we climbed up to and took pictures. I want to do this one again - any idea which one this could have been - I know I have not given you much to go on. TKS!
It depends a little bit on where in Gatlinburg you'll be, but I'd say roughly a 45-55 minute drive. You can map where you are staying to the Tremont Institute, and then the trailhead is another 3 miles past that.
I feel exactly the way you do. I am female, divorced, no children no family and a very limited circle of acquaintances. I went through a divorce 4 years ago and moved 1400 miles away to a totally new city right before COVID hit. To say I was in a black hole might be a vast understatement. I have lovely true friends who live in other states. But they don’t call to say let’s go to a movie or a concert or dinner. I am just now crawling out of that hole and what seems to be working for me is dance classes. I am taking salsa with a great group of people and I am finding laughter, growth, fun and exercise. There does not seem to be a clique. And for the first time in four years, I did not spend the Fourth of July alone. We all went out to dinner and it was the most fun I’ve had since moving here. I know I am outgoing when I know people but at first, I have this huge shy streak that rears it’s ugly head. I make plans. And I just don’t go. Sad. It’s my own fault. I am always surprised, although I shouldn’t be……that my neighbors have parties and bar-b-q’s and they don’t think to invite me. They know my situation and yet there are cob webs on my phone. I do not have the answer. I do not drink so going to bars is just not my jam. But I do think that classes are the way to go. And I know there are tons from which to choose. Pickle ball to painting. Pottery to print making. I just have to make the effort. I even had (old fashioned!) business cards made so when I am at a class, I can hand out my card and ask someone to meet me for coffee. The very important thing is that we MUST make a great effort to cultivate these friendships. If you look at the literature, mortality and morbidity are vastly affected by loneliness. Scary. If any of you live in Knoxville, please…..let’s meet for coffee.
I've been lonely for years now and I have tried to get to know people but I don't know how
I know it can be difficult, as it is for me too. I am an introvert, which makes it a bit more challenging. The best thing I have done is to think about what I really love (fitness and sports) and join groups revolving around those things (I am part of a men's workout group and I also played several seasons in a kickball league). What do you like to do and what have you tried?
Im 15 I like art and music I'm in a singing group and I love to play video games by myself
We did all the falls and did them very early to beat the crowd, it worked out pretty well and the time of year is key, we go every year, and we go the second week in May, we will head out May 6th in 2024. Great video.
That's awesome. Do you have a favorite waterfall hike in the Smokies? You are right, time of the year, day of the week and time of day can all help for sure. Thank you for commenting.
@@thegratefulhiker Yes I really like Apple Orchard falls in VA mile mark 78 and Crab tree falls in NC mile mark 339. awesome hikes.
Just got back from the Smokies and did Ramsey Cascades and Grotto Falls. I've visited plenty, so I did many that you mentioned. I find the slightly longer trails get rid of the crowds. Another one I found that isn't crowded is Baskin Creek Falls.
Cool! Do you have a favorite waterfall hike? I need to try Baskin Creek Falls. Thank you for the tip!
@@thegratefulhiker I'd have to say my favorite is Indian Flat Falls. It's not a busy trail and a nice walk along the stream with other falls. I also like the seclusion at the final falls.
Any gold in those streams?
I haven't looked yet. Some trout in there.
Took some family members up alum cave trail Last weekend and spent night at mt leconte lodge great trail and lodging experience. Sorry that I just came across your channel. Apprec the tips for future hikes.
Thank you! Never heard of these trails and will have to check them out. Just got back from the Twentymile loop up to shuckstack, then gregory bald and back into Twentymile. Have you done this loop before? Now following 794!
Charlies Bunyan was packed
I'll bet! That's a popular hike. How did you like it? What time of day did you go?
Nice video! Ive never hiked this trail before and would love to see it. I wish you would have shown us the unmarked trail and switchbacks we need to take to get to the end.
Great idea. You can't miss it though!
Do you know ? Why aren't your video views increasing? And not reaching people? The reason is: 1. Your video is not being SEO properly 2. Your video is not reaching the right people 3. Not using video hashtags properly 4. Not sharing the video on social media There are a few more reasons. That's why your videos are limited to your channel. Can't get out In a word, your video is awesome. such videos are in great demand. If you do these things correctly, Hopefully you will get a lot of visitors. Feel free to ask me any questions you may have. If I can help a wonderful person like you. Feel lucky. I will cooperate with you in all kinds of ways. I am waiting for your reply.
what's a switchback? Would it be hard for someone who is scared of heights?
No this isn't difficult for someone scared of heights. A switchback is a trail that cuts sharply from one direction to the other while going up. For this hike, it's not that much of a switchback since you're not going up much. The term switchback is usually used when climbing a pretty steep mountain.
Day 4 in the books and not quite as tough as it was on day 1 🎉
Incorporated a little kettlebell activity and really enjoyed this HIIT workout
These worked out great for me, much easier than yesterday for me personally. May modify to 45 seconds/15 seconds next time. Thanks!
Easy exercises but very productive. I only did 2 set and my legs are feeling it. Hopefully only modification I make is doing 2 sets and do it again next month and pick up the 3. Hiking Mt Leconte in September😬
I have done alum cave, rainbow falls and laurel fall, clingmans dome
Awesome! Do you have a favorite, Christina?
Really needed these leg workouts! But I have a feeling I will be feeling this a little tomorrow 😂
Way to get after it! How are you feeling today?
@@thegratefulhiker legs were feeling a little rough 😂
I tried alternating running then walking today, since I was going to walk anyway...and so I wouldn't torture the cat by being outside to jump rope when he couldn't come out because weed killer had been applied to the yard!!😄 I hate running, so I must really love my cat!
Haha, we will do anything for our cats. I'm the same. 🐱 🐈
Had trouble with my wrists in push-up position. Found if I use hand weights instead of putting my hands flat on the floor it keeps my wrists straight which helps.
That's a great solution Karen! I know that some of my clients have that same issue and we always use weights to help out.
My knees protesteth...
How are your knees doing??