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Friday, I hiked the part of the trail that criss-crosses
the Boone Fork Trail (Julian Price Park) Absolutely
beautiful right now. Did see bear scat. Keep your eyes
open on this section of the trail.

I maintain three miles of the MST near Doughton Park in Alleghany County. It's a beautiful section of trail. I'm glad to see your series, but it should note the formative role of the late Louise Chatfield of Greensboro. She's probably the person who first came up with the idea.
Also note that we need volunteers to keep this trail maintained.

I have hiked extensively between Grandfather Mountain and Mount Mitchell. This part of the MST rivals anything you would see hiking anywhere on the East Coast. This section includes Table Rock/Linville Gorge along with the waterfalls near Wilson Creek. Absolutely spectacular and very well marked with the white circular blazes.

I have beem hiking the MST cooridor since 1982. The trail that is on the ground is some of the best I have walked anywhere. One great thing about the MST is parts of is as remote as any you will knod in the East and other protion ( most ) have easy access for a great many people across the state. It could all be done as a day hiker with a little support.

I got up to the mountains last Saturday, and finished hiking this section. Section 17 is a great introduction to mountain hiking, as there is only about a quarter mile of steep climbing in the whole section (and that is only if you're hiking eastbound). Much of the trail through Doughton Park is in the open, with great views. With a car shuttle, this would be an easy overnight backpack trip, as there is camping available at Doughton Park, about halfway through. Also good food at the Bluffs Coffee Shop in Doughton Park and at the Stations Inn Restaurant at the NC 18 trailhead. See http://www.ncmst.org/mstsectionsmaps/section17/section17.html for detailed maps of the route.