What we’re about
FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM - P.S. Hikers
If you'd like to be apart of our DISCORD channel please text MERB at 704-224-8559
We are a community of experienced hikers who enjoy exploring trails that range from moderate to challenging levels. While we welcome hikers of all backgrounds, our group typically gravitates toward more advanced adventures that require a solid foundation of hiking experience, endurance, and preparedness.
To support a wide range of skill levels, our hikes and trips are clearly categorized as Beginner/Easy, Moderate, Hard, or Expert. We offer plenty of variety in our schedule, so even if a moderate or hard trip doesn’t align with your comfort level, there are still opportunities to join us on easier adventures and grow at your own pace. We believe it’s essential for every hiker to take personal responsibility for knowing their own abilities and limitations—and to choose trips accordingly. Safety, preparation, and respect for the trail and fellow hikers are our top priorities.
Please note: For Expert-level hikes or multi-day backpacking trips, our leadership team may reach out directly if we feel the level of difficulty may not be a safe or appropriate fit for someone signed up. These conversations come from a place of care and commitment to ensuring a positive and safe experience for all.
We love nature deeply and believe everyone should have the chance to experience the joy, healing, and adventure it offers. Through our hikes, we’re not just exploring trails—we’re building a strong, inclusive outdoor community where all people are welcomed, supported, and encouraged to connect with the natural world.
** Special Notice: This group is NOT run by certified or professional mountain guides. The group leaders, Merb and Food Lion, do have a combined experience of over 20 years in the woods and on trails but are not held liable for any incidents, accidents or issues while on trail. PLEASE make sure you are able to handle the walk and read the disclaimer on every post **
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hanging Rock - ModerateHanging Rock State Park Visitors Center, Danbury, NC
** Follow us on instagram and tiktok at P.S. Hikers. If you'd like to be added to our community discord please message MERB at 704-224-8559*
Come and join MERB on the Hanging Rock 5 peak challenge. We will be hitting this 11 mile loop near Danbury, NC at the most beautiful Hanging Rock State Park. We will meet at the visitors center at 9am sharp and start hiking at 9:15am.
This is one of my favorite trails. It's more moderate to our standards but listed as HARD on many of the trail apps. We will make our way to each peak, Hanging Rock, Moore's Knob Firetower, Wolf Rock, House Rock and Cooks wall.
Please be prepared. Depending on the group it should take us about 6 hours with a lunch break; but to be safe we are scheduling 8. We will have food and brews at Green Heron Alehouse after the hike; this part is optional!
Trail: 5 Peak Trail -
Difficult: Moderate
Distance: 11 miles -
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 2200
Estimated Time: 6-8 hours depending on or group.
What to Bring: We recommend 2-3 liters of water on this one, protein for snacks and a bagged lunch for yourself (uncrustables for the win!)
Meet up time: 9am
Hike start time: 9:15am
Meet at Trailhead: Use link here to access the trail head.“By RSVP’ing to this event, you are agreeing to the following:
TRIP PARTICIPANT WAIVER OF LIABILITY I fully realize that this activity involves a risk of personal injury, property damage, or loss of my person or property. I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, and same for persons with whom are in my party, waive and release any claims or rights against P.S. Hikers, all of its owners and coordinators for any and all injury, damages or loss to my person or property incurred during this activity. I also understand that organizers are not required, nor should it be assumed that they are CPR/First Aid/Wilderness Survival Certified and I am responsible for my own personal safety. Your RSVP indicates release of liability as indicated in the TRIP PARTICIPANT WAIVER OF LIABILITY above.”
- Art Loeb Thru Hike - EXPERIENCED BackpackersCamp Daniel Boone, Canton, NC$60.00
** Follow us on instagram and tiktok at P.S. Hikers. If you'd like to be added to our community discord please message us or comment below! **
This is an experience backpackers trip only limited to 5 outside of Food Lion and Merb. You MUST have backpacking experience in the style of "tramily." This means that we hike our own hikes as a group. We will create a meet up point each day and each member can hike at their own pace but end at the meet up location at the end.
This is a trail with limited water which means you have a heavy water carry. WEIGHT. Please plan accordingly.
The cost for this trip is listed. This is to cover the shuttle that we are required to take from Daniel Boone over to Davidson Camp ground. We will start at Davidson and end at Danie Boone. This route will give us the greatest reward towards the end when we are feeling more tired.
As an experienced backpacker we should not need to provide a list of gear items for you but if you want to be certain you can message MERB at 704-224-8559. We are going to ask that anyone who signs up be available May 28, 2025 to do a gear check at our hiker hang and meet. As a group for this trip we will meet at 6pm.
MERB is our route planner for this one and is finalizing a proper mileage map that we will follow for this hike. You will receive this by 5/28/25. We will have a group chat started once the group fills up so your phone number IS required.
We will be above 3000 feet in elevation the entire trip; beautiful views, glorious mountains, fresh blueberries/blackberries for foraging, the weather can rapidly change at these elevations.
If possible try to carpool. Unfortunately Food Lion's car is at max capacity so we can't carpool anyone for this backpacking trip.
Trail: Art Loeb Thru Hike SOBO
Difficult: Moderate
Distance: 36 or so miles
Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 8,200
Estimated Time: 3 days, 2 nights, tramily style
Meet up time: 7:30am - meet at Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp
Hike start time: 8am shuttle pick up - thanks to Nate a good friend of mine from Traveling Lite Shuttle and Resupply
Meet at Trailhead use link here to access the trail head.“By RSVP’ing to this event, you are agreeing to the following:
TRIP PARTICIPANT WAIVER OF LIABILITY I fully realize that this activity involves a risk of personal injury, property damage, or loss of my person or property. I hereby for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, and same for persons with whom are in my party, waive and release any claims or rights against P.S. Hikers, all of its owners and coordinators for any and all injury, damages or loss to my person or property incurred during this activity. I also understand that organizers are not required, nor should it be assumed that they are CPR/First Aid/Wilderness Survival Certified and I am responsible for my own personal safety. Your RSVP indicates release of liability as indicated in the TRIP PARTICIPANT WAIVER OF LIABILITY above.”
