Fires Creek - Nantahala National Forest

[@u4ea1982]

Another great video Bryan. Thanks for posting!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Ryan! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnnyrussell8729]

Pretty area. Thanks for sharing.

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed the video Johnny!

[@gingerbread6614]

Very good hike. Thank you.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Ginger Bread! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@southernappalachianrecon]

I love this area, I finally just recently got this area on video. Been camping up here since I was 18. Your video is very informative, thanks for the trip 💯🤙

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Fires Creek is a very nice area.

[@pixelthief]

Really enjoyed this!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Scott!

[@JenniferLupine]

Beautiful Forest! We’ve never hiked or backpacked in that area! Looks lovely! Great that you and your son have a long-standing Thanksgiving tradition! 👍👍👍

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Jennifer! We've backpacked over Thanksgiving weekend since he was 9 years old.

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi Bryan. Very much enjoyed this view of the Fires Creek area. As sual, you did a great job in filming and providing views of and from the trail. God Bless!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Ken! Fires Creek area is really nice.

[@kenwbrenner]

@@BryanDeLay Followup question: What kind of shoes do you recommend for backpacking in the Smokies (or AT in southern appalachians)? I've used Merrell Moab shoes/mid-shoes for many years. But, at 70, I'm having some foot issues (and recent surgery) that may require me to get a much less "stiff" hiking shoe. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have as I consider what to get. Thanks!

[@BryanDeLay]

For several years I've been wearing low top hiking shoes. In about 2018 I started wearing Altra Loan Peaks then switched to Topos and liked them a lot, but they were not very durable. For the last year I've been wearing Altra Olympus 5. I have a water proof version for winter and non-water proof version for summer. So far they are the most comfortable hiking shoes I've ever worn and seem to be very durable.

[@kenwbrenner]

Thanks Bryan, I appreciate your help!

[@kenwbrenner]

@@BryanDeLay Thank you Bryan - I appreciate your advice, and your wonderful videos. They have inspired me to consider backpacking and hiking other trails (than AT).

[@kylep6194]

Great video Bryan. It’s cool that you have a tradition of backpacking over Thanksgiving with your son. I have 4 boys and the backpacking trips with them are memorable. I love the backpacker icon on the maps. I just got my Trailstar and I have been pitching it in various configurations. I can’t wait to use it soon.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Kyle! I first took my son backpacking when he was five and now it's hard to keep up with him. Hope you enjoy the Trail Star.

[@brianmiller5269]

Hey Prof, never heard of that trail....I just did about 6 miles at Big Ridge State park today with a good friend and two of my dogs. Got home, settled in, and fired up youtube and there you are! I think your son could be a long lost pirate from Jean Lafitte's gang. He sure has the look.

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you were able to get out and do a hike. I'll tell Nathan he looks like a pirate.:)

[@larrycarroll7371]

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Brought back fond memories of those N.C. mountains.

[@BryanDeLay]

You're welcome Larry! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Another wonderful video. Thanks! Scenery was great!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Chris! It's a beautiful area.

[@LayneComfort]

Awesome adventure. Fires Creek has been on my want-to-do-list for years now. Thanks for sharing this area!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Layne! Hope you get to do this loop soon.

[@gregpatterson134]

Love your video skills! Great technique with enough footage and "how to". How are you getting such good stable footage ( camera and gear?)? Are you using a gimbal and a tripod? I'm still learning video skills and new Panasonic g85 does great but learn how to carry tripod and get good shots like yours. I'm in N. GA and get to hike this area and other great places nearby but never knew about this trail so thanks for sharing. Must do before it gets warm and bugs and leaves come back. Thanks again.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Greg! I'm using a GoPro Hero 6 Black and a 44" selfie stick with a small tripod attached. The stabilization on the Hero 8 is fantastic, almost gimbal like. Also I spend a lot of time editing.

[@Hiker33]

I’m definitely shortlisting this one and will try to hit it before spring. It’s been on the someday list for a long time, ever since I saw Johnny Molloy’s piece in Backpacker magazine around 2004 or so.

[@BryanDeLay]

It's a nice loop Hiker33! Actually I'd forgotten that Johnny did an article about Fires Creek for Backpacker.

[@copycatcarlton]

Thanks again for another great video. Really enjoyed it! Merry Christmas!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Copycat Carlton and Merry Christmas to you too.

[@billinroswellga5432]

Bryan, I enjoy all your videos but I was really happy to see Fires Creek posted. If one is tired of crowds in Smokies and AT this is a great place to go. Did you miss Potrock? It's rather iconic on that trail. I was glad there weren't big blow downs like I've encountered hiking up to the rim from Tuni Gap Rd. Well done, as always! Historical note to hikers-this is one of the areas where Eric Rudolph had hideouts while escaping the FBI for years.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Bill! This trip and in 2014 we had lots of solitude. Yes we went over Potrock, but I trying to catch Nathan and didn't take spend much time there, although I think the video at 5:10 is from Potrock Bald.

[@DixonHikes]

Gotta love those leaf-off views. That’s awesome you & your son do an annual Thanksgiving trip.

[@BryanDeLay]

Oh yea, the views are great this time of the year. The only problem with hiking with my son is it's getting harder to keep up with him.

[@ChrisfromFL]

Hey Bryan: Nice video sure wish I had as many trails near! Does your son post on KZbin?

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Chris! Yes lot of trails within 3 hours of Knoxville. No my son doesn't do YT videos. His attitude is put up the camera and lets hike Dad!

[@laurenmartin682]

Amazing video, if I didn't hike already this would make me want to start !

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you so much Lauren! It's really nice that you enjoyed the video.

[@CarlMonin]

Sun, Solitude, and Son - Really enjoyed the video, Bryan. I've been looking forward to seeing where y'all ended up for this Thanksgiving's trip. Thanks for posting.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Carl! Glad you enjoyed the video. Merry Christmas!

[@RicG.]

Looks like fun. Thanks for sharing Bryan!

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed the video Ric G.

[@150F2011]

Nice to hike with your son!Thanks for the extra steps

[@BryanDeLay]

He has to wait on me sometimes, especially on the climbs.

[@mark-ib7sz]

That is nice country , I always enjoyed hiking that area .You picked a good time to hike it. Winter is the best time to backpack that area , in the summer it gets real overgrown. Great videos as usual!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks mark 1955! It's a really nice area.

[@waterfallmadman]

So nice to hike with your son, especially have him make the fire for you!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Leon! Having a fire going was a big plus.:)

[@peaksandvalleys1187]

I'm curious what the state of the rest of the loop is like. I've seen reviews that it is horribly overgrown and hard to follow in areas. Honestly that's the only thing that has kept me from hiking it. What did your son find on his hike?

[@BryanDeLay]

We didn't have many blow downs on the section I did and the trail was not difficult to follow. Also my son did not mention anything about blow downs on the sections he did solo. But the trail could have had some maintenance recently.

[@gunnyd2008]

As always , thanks for taking us along Bryan!

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed the video Gunny D!

[@DrJohn493]

Enjoyed another annual Thanksgiving trip with your son! Liked the new animated map trick showing your route. I enjoy the western mountain vistas but there is something about the southern hills and woods in the fall/winter that are comforting like home. Maybe 'cause it is 😉

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you John! I love to go out west to backpack, but if I had to choose between the Rockies or the southern Appalachians, I'd pick the Appalachians. To me it's a more friendly and peaceful environment than the west.

[@brookeshaffer4377]

That is so cool you and your son get to backpack together. Pleased that you enjoyed your trip. Looks like a nice Trail with some pretty open areas through the trees😊

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Brooke! He has to wait on me sometimes, particularly on the climbs.

[@brookeshaffer4377]

@@BryanDeLay I saw you and Katherine Gregory on the video when you are hiking through the winds in Wyoming. I doubt your son has to wait very long for you on the climbs😊👍

[@SectionHikingTheAT]

Beautiful hike- thanks Bryan! 😎

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Sweeps! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@johnnyrussell8729]

Bryan I have a question for you please. Do you find it warmer under a tarp than in a tent during cold weather ? I have heard a couple of folks say it's warmer because condensation doesn't build up in your bag or quilt. I have been thinking of trying it but I am somewhat of a cold sleeper. I know it depends upon your sleep system but what do you think ?

[@BryanDeLay]

There can be condensation issues even with a tarp, especially if the tarp is erected close to the ground. Also if you camping close to a creek condensation can be more. But generally I think a tent is warmer. I just like the space of a tarp and the ability to see out if your stuck in a shelter for hours because of rain.

[@johnnyrussell8729]

@@BryanDeLay Thank you for your thoughts. I may give it a go. I can see benefits both ways. Always looking for something better.

[@peaksandvalleys1187]

Johnny I recently made the jump to a tarp and haven't looked back. Like Bryan said the space is phenomenal and erecting it is super easy. I will admit though it did take a couple trips for me to get over not having the security of an enclosed space and even still my first night I don't plan for much sleep. However I wouldn't go back unless the circumstances called for a tent.

[@cooper4205]

Always look forward to seeing a notification from your channel!

[@BryanDeLay]

It's nice to know you're enjoying my videos flatiron.

[@Russell.Jolly.2023]

With hunters around, did you feel uneasy about not being covered in high viz orange?

[@BryanDeLay]

That's one of the reasons I chose the orange Zpacks pack.:) The hunter that we saw was wearing full camo and no orange, which is unusual.

[@Russell.Jolly.2023]

@@BryanDeLay Well, there is this kind of bizarre law in SC that requires everyone to wear orange when entering a WMA during hunting season, except for a certain class of hunter. Maybe that's a similar issue where you are. And I did notice the backpack but thought it might be a bit difficult for a hunter in front of you to see.

[@BryanDeLay]

If by WMA you mean Wildlife Management Area, in Tennessee they actually close the WMA's to hikers during scheduled hunting times. I don't know what they do in North Carolina, but Fires Creek is just national forest land and is not a designated wilderness area or a WMA.

[@Russell.Jolly.2023]

@@BryanDeLay Wildlife Management Area it is. SC has exempted some hunters from wearing orange but hikers are required to wear it during the season, though I think it is loosely enforced. The foothills trail has several WMAs that intersect it.

[@mountainwanderer]

Looks like another great trip! You're out hiking and I'm looking at the snow... So what is the tally for the year? Did you hit 90 nights?

[@BryanDeLay]

Hey Travis, I'm a little behind my goal for this year. So far I've done 44 trips, but only 73 nights, but hopefully I'll get in a least 80 before the end of the year. Last Jan, Feb and Mar we had so much rain it was hard to put together more than two days without all day down pour and then I got smoked out of the Winds the end of August. The good news is I added two states this year, Oklahoma and Nebraska, but I didn't video those trips, and I passed 12,000 miles of backpacking in the last 30 years. Also the Motion program you mentioned is for Apple and I'm using Windows. In searching for an alternative I discovered PowerPoint does animation, so that's what I used to create the maps. Hopefully I can find another app.

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

Travis....Shouldn't you be working on Joey's website instead of watching videos?....just kidding. I love the idea of a Thanksgiving weekend outing. We had very balmy weather here in SW Virginia. I would have rather been out hiking and camping instead of entertaining guests that I really didn't want to see anyway. Bryan, thanks for the posting and as always Travis, we all look forward to your next one as well! Tom

[@mountainwanderer]

@@BryanDeLay 44 trips is amazing! I do 14-15 and I feel like it's a lot. 12,000 miles is a hell of a lot and quite an accomplishment. I haven't kept track of all of the miles I've done so I'm not even sure how far behind I am. After Effects is a program that is comparable to Motion. I'm definitely a Mac guy. Though we shouldn't talk religion. 😀

[@mountainwanderer]

@@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981 Watching videos during my breaks are what brought me in to this community! We used to go on an annual trip every year after Thanksgiving, somehow that tradition stopped. You have to take advantage of those nice weekends! Winter is coming!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks BlackOak Property Maintenance!