Three parks in one week. (pic heavy)

[Alpine Dad]

Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers.

[Paint]

That's a really beautiful area, thanks for sharing your pictures.

Not to take you off topic, but I'm curious; where's your dog sleep? I know dogs are perfectly happy sleeping on the ground, but any special set up for the dog?

[ducninja79]

She did sleep on the ground this time bc our combined weight would have exceeded the max recommended weight for my snipe. I cut a z-lite thermarest pad in half and had a small fleece blanket for her. This was not enought to keep her warm. I woke up to find her shivering every now and again so I threw my top quilt over her and I used my down jacket i had brought. The next day I went to an outfitter and bought her a child's sleeping bag which I practically had to drag her out of in the mornings! She was all curled up completely inside the bag most nights. Next time I may try getting a hammock that can hold us both and see how she does like that.

Her wearing my prima loft jacket and a pic of the sleeping bag under the tarp.

[g2outdoors]

Hiking with the dog is the best! I haven't quite figured out the best method for warmth either. I'm not willing to lug a kids sleeping bag around with me, but I need to figure something out for sure. Great pics and TR!

[kwchannell89]

Awesome! western NC is the gem of the east!!

[ducninja79]

I wasn't expecting it to be a cold as it was and I just consider it part of getting a good workout while on vacation! I really don't mind the extra weight but I'm definently in for a lighter option for sure. I was thinking of a hammock with a higher weight capacity so we can both sleep in it. I'm 157 and she's 65 lbs. That's too close to the rating of my Snipe for my comfort so I'm thinking a lite owl may be on order!

[Tacoma96]

Those are nice pictures. In August I hiked Grandfather Mountain for two days from the Boone Fork Parking Area to the Mile High bridge and back, we did go down Profile Trail to Shanti springs to get water then back up. Camped out at the small campground at Calloway Gap, it got down to the high 30s that night.