3 Big Frogs

Hey y'all, myself and 2 hiking partners; one who had never hiked here, made a quick "stroll" up the Big Frog Mtn. trail for a RT of say 3.5 miles. It was late in the afternoon of the 23rd, under overcast skies and Temps in the 40's. We were using up time, wisely, as we had an appointment in Cleveland at approx. 6pm. There was what appeared to be fresh bear skat along the trails beginning. We enjoyed the quiet path as we completed this vigorous hike which intersects w/ several trails for long day hikes or exteneded overnight excursions.
This trail is of course much more enjoyable when one has more time to complete the distance to the top of Big Frog mountain and appreciate the views. Though it was a cool way to pass time and introduce an avid hiker to a new area for him to explore in the future. Try it!

Off The Grid

Hey, it was about 2.5 miles RT, along the the large stream(s), wonderful rocks and trees. My hiking partner and I made 2 stream crossings during this short afternoon hike and were blessed w/ quiet trails and cool temperatures. Peace.

Leave What?

I attended the Leave No Trace workshop on 02/21, led by Mike and Pam, LNT instructors and both active hikers and volunteers in the backcountry office at "Sugarlands". I also attended this during the WWF week, in Pigeon Forge (see blog 01/23). The need for detailed trip planning prior to departure; must have known I was going to be there, and taking personal responsibility for our own "footprints", were a couple of the points emphasized during the 3.5hr. workshop. Mark also contributed in demonstrating some hands on techniques for the different types of low impact fires, including pit fires and pan fires. I strongly encourage all who backpack and hike to attend a LNT workshop anywhere they can. What is more important, for me anyway, is to then practice these things "I know" when I'm in the woods. Go ahead and carry some rubber gloves and a ziploc to put any paper products in you may produce or find along the trail.

National trails day is the first Saturday of June and this is an opportunity to assist in maintaining our trails around the country so call the National Park Service, or do a web search for things to participate in near you.

Spuce Flat Falls Sunday 02/10/08

This is an easy to moderate hike w/ a roundtrip distance of maybe 3 miles. I have made this hike to the falls beginning at the Tremont HQ and the Lumber Ridge Trailhead several times and enjoy the terrian, views, and of course the falls, which were running during the driest parts of last year ('07).
On the return trip from the falls my hiking partner and I let pass a family of folks ranging in age from there mid 20's to late 60's+, and who were going to be pushing it when they had to slide down boulders so as to prevent slipping and a few other challenges along the the trail. Though they had already accomplished a major part of the incline along the route, I mentioned to the younger couple we passed first that they should pay close attention to their older relatives. As up ahead there were rocks and steep, wet spots in the trail that would have to be dealt with. I smiled as my admiration grew for the older part of the group and the determined smiles they shared when they passed by. This route pretty much parallels Tremont Rd., off and up the side of Miegs Mountain w/ some good views, varying terrain and some great sitting spots once at the falls. Some of them out of the way enough to enjoy the sounds and sites and still remain unnoticed by most who may venture in after you arrive.
This hike, I think, is a good bet to take folks on who are relatively healthy and physically capable yet knew to the idea of experiencing up close and first hand some of what they see on TV.

Blisters in the Back Country 02/08/08

W

This back country excursion began at the parking area for the West Prong trail head across the road from the main building at the Insitute at Tremont. After parking and "losing" my tent; as I had reservations in shelters the next 2 nights, I started my walk up Tremont road and the approx. 3.7 miles to Middle Prong Trailhead. It was a nice walk and only one car passed along the way. Once at the trailhead I continued up the Middle Prong Trail enjoying the full stream; Lynn Camp prong, which flows along side the trail, and the rock formations stacked beside it, in it, and over it as well. Just over 4 miles into this trail I came upon some day hikers who were very pleasant and told me of Indian Flats Falls, just ahead and to the right, down an unmarked spur. This was worth the detour of only about 150 yards and as I'm sure the couple I'd met new, it makes a great destination for a 8 mile+(RT) day hike. Indian Flats Falls (see pic) consist of at least three large falls cascading down into the Indian Flats Prong w/ lots of rocks to sit or lay on while appreciating the peace. All these "prongs" end up playing parts in forming the Little River. I took a few pictures and returned to the trail and up just a little bit connected to the Greenbriar Ridge Trail.

Greenbriar Ridge Trail continued the noticeable ascent up Davis Ridge which had just become more obvious of an incline back about 1/2 mile or so, as the previous trail ended w/ some consecutive switchbacks. Greenbriar Ridge was pleasant trail, one I'd rate as difficult for the novice, as the next 4 miles we're gaining some serious elevation. The Derrick Knob shelter, which is only 3/10's of a mile from where Greenbriar Ridge intersects w/ the AT, sits at 4890'.
Upon my arrival at the shelter I met, what would be the only other guest here, Josh and Shannon. They were old friends and it seems Josh, an AT sectional hiker had convinced his friend, who had never backpacked before, to join him. I wonder if they're still talkng? Ha, ha, As they were in the middle of, what is described by some, as the most difficult section of the AT and were hiking the next day through to Mt. Collins which meant some serious stuff! Hey guys please tell us how it went! I thanked Josh the next morning for introducing his friend to the Wild before they departed, and complimented Shannon for meeting the challenge. Rock on!

So, after reading in 'Hiking Trails of The Smokies', about how difficult the next 6.3 miles of the AT would be I quickly dismissed it as information for the beginner hikers, such as one of my new friends from Alabama. HAAAA! I'm the novice!! How little I really know. The AT between Derrick Knob and Spence Field was some serious "Stuff". I suggest reading about it in the previously mentioned text (p86-87) and heed any notes of practicality about the section to be hiked. Not that I did mind you, but I'm paying for it today. Well, that and another not so well thought out decision but more about that in a minute. Along this part of the AT there was no water basically, until you reach Beechnut Gap, at this point there is an obvious spur down off the AT to a big; at least on this day, broad, flowing spring. I passed a group of folks here who seemed to have been here before and were very pleasant as we shared greetings, etc... .
All along this portion of the AT, my excursion was very rewarding w/ the spectacular views both east into North Carolina, w/ Fontana Lake off in the distance, and west back over Tennessee, and Cades Cove (see pic). Throughout this there were "ups and downs" along the trail and most "ups" without switchbacks and involved often steep, extended inclines. Now I'm no light wieght yet these were/are strong challenges to ones strength, endurance, and determination, at times. How many of you reading this have hiked here, or somewhere similar, and asked yourself while in the middle of it "What the _____ am I doing?" Only to be smiling a few moments later as you look over a cliff at the valley below and answer your question w/ an affirmative smile and saying "because I love this"। Whatever "this" is. Endorphins, solitude, peace... . OK, so I get to the turn off for Bote Mtn. trail, 2/10's of a mile from the Spence Field shelter; which I checked out, and I have been toying w/ the thought of completeing my walk out today. I didn't do anything smart like review my map or consider what I had just accomplished and went w/ it, my initial thought, thinking "oh, the next 6 miles won't be a problem, heck it's all down hill, 20 minute miles and I'll be out before dark". After 1.7 miles into my descent I look at the map as I arrive at the crossroad w/ Anthony Creek trail to get a bearing on my estimated time of arrival and begin to realize what a potentially serious miscalcualtion I had made. It was just over 10 miles, not 6, out along Bote Mtn., to the West Prong trail and out to my car. Being the stubborn person I am sometimes, I marched on re-adjusting my ETA by at least an hour.
Practicing lots of acceptance about "who's responsiblity" it was for where I was at that moment. I enjoyed the trail and the various levels and types of forest I passed through, again see the previous referenced text, (p129). Upon reaching campsite #18, I was rejuvenated knowing I had "only" 2.7 miles to go, though this was tempered by a camper I spoke w/ breifly as I passed who told me it was "just over the top of that little mountain and then it's just down from there". Well "Them there" natural pain killers kicked in and I gotter done! Despite some developing blisters, sore legs and occasional personal mental abuse about some of my descisions that day, I was very pleased w/ what I had accomplished and offered lots of "thanks to the spirits that be", for the opportunity to experience what had been allowed me that day. Peace