Month: September 2026
What to Pack for a Half-Day Hike (Without Overthinking It)
Every hike is different. But there are a few common items you can pack for almost every half-day hike that will make your time on the trail much easier. Step one: Don’t overpack. Half-day hikes are easy to overpack for. Another liter of water doesn’t add too much weight. Adding extra snacks seems okay.…
The Freedom of Dependence
Sometimes life doesn’t look the way you want it to. Sometimes your life is out of your control. Sometimes the things you were once free to do are no longer available to you. There are times in our lives when we are completely dependent on others. There are seasons when we need to depend…
5 Mistakes New Hikers Make
Hiking Is Easy You don’t need experience. You don’t need special gear. You don’t need multiple days off work or school. All you really need is a few hours, a good pair of shoes, and enough water for the hike you are taking. When you are first getting into hiking, you can read hundreds…
The People God Places Along the Trail
Trusting God and Others Trusting God can feel easy. Trusting others… not so much. Trusting God and others can bring up mixed emotions. When we are going through difficult times, it can be even more difficult to allow other people into our lives. At least, that has been true for me. Opening the most…
Coon Den Falls
Overview Coon Den Falls is a short but demanding climb through the forest near Dennis Cove. The distance is modest, but the trail asks considerably more of the body than the mileage might suggest. The route begins with a steady approach and a stream crossing before the main climb begins. From there, the trail…
Laurel Falls
Overview Laurel Falls is a forested mountain waterfall reached by a short route from the Dennis Cove area. The trail begins gently, following an established path through the woods before gradually becoming more demanding as it approaches the falls. The distance makes this trail approachable for many hikers, but the mileage doesn’t tell the…
Laurel Fork Creek
Overview The Laurel Fork Creek route follows the forest toward Laurel Fork, beginning in the Dennis Cove area and gradually settling into the rhythm of the creek and surrounding mountains. This is a relatively gentle trail, especially compared with some of the steeper routes around Dennis Cove. The distance is manageable, the terrain is…
Why Jesus Entered the Wilderness
Why did Jesus enter solitude? We often talk about the wilderness as a place where we go to get away. Away from the noise. Away from the demands of everyday life. Away from the people and responsibilities that constantly pull our attention in different directions. There is certainly a place for that. But when…
Dennis Cove
Dennis Cove Dennis Cove is a mountain access area in the Cherokee National Forest near Hampton, Tennessee, where several trails lead into the surrounding mountains and along Laurel Fork Creek. The area provides access to portions of the Appalachian Trail as well as several local routes leading toward waterfalls, streams, and the Laurel Fork…