Rich Mtn. Loop Sunday Sept. 28th

This was a walk I'd only done once before in this form. I began @ 2pm from the Rich mtn. trail parking where Rich Mtn. rd. exits the park. This later than usual start for me was of some concern w/ the distance I would be covering and the shrinking amount of sunlight because of the seasonal changes. Being alone and familiar w/ the initial part of the route planned I was able to make really good time for the first 3mls. I spoke w/ a couple just as I began and they shared that they had seen no one since they'd got in the woods before noon, and as it worked out for me I only encountered folks around John Oliver's Cabin. None along the trails that made up the 11 mile+ loop.
As I passed campsite #5, I stayed to the right and continued along the .8, of Indian Grave Gap trl., to the Rich Mtn. Loop trl., down the mountain along Cave Ridge, and a resting point at John Oliver's place. I took a few pictures, re-tied my boots and walked through some very pretty forest to Crooked Arm Ridge trl.
Water was available near the bottom of the Rich Mtn. Loop trl., and I refilled again just past Crooked Arm Falls. After this water was not scene.
The trails were hiker friendly accept at the lower elevations around the Cove, due to heavy horse and pedestrian traffic exposing rocks and causing some erosion.
I was reminded of false peaks w/ the climb up Crooked Arm Ridge. After I quit telling myself "I think I'm almost at the top" and gave more attention to the sun and the shadows; and my watch, I noticed more birds, squirrels, lizards, and the still bright Aster's blooming in numerous colors. It was a challenging walk in the sense of getting it started and staying on schedule, because even though I had a flashlight in my daypack, and I was familiar w/ the last 2 mls. from #5, to the parking area, I like to night hike w/ other folks. As it was I came out of the woods onto Rich Mtn. rd., at 7:15pm. I was very grateful for the time and experience of that day.

Mount LeConte

Hello fellow wild life enthusiast! This excursion could be a model; minus the weather, for many trips yet to happen via Southern Appalachian Excursions. My friend the "Lady Beth", had taken the initiative for her group, which eventually included me, and made reservations at the LeConte Lodge. This was going to be a busy weekend in the park W/ the 75th reunion of the Civilian Conservation Corp, going on at and around, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, w/ some other large celebrations of the history and culture of this region happening in Townsend.
Our excursion started from the Alum Cave trailhead parking and consisted of 8 folks, 7 of which had little or no recent hiking experience. This included active smokers, a woman recovering from recent foot surgery, another walker whom had a "bad knee", and an earnest desire from all to enjoy the day and learn.
The weather was overcast and wet w/ occasional sprinkles as we proceeded up the trail. Alum Cave Creek had water though of course was at low levels w/ the current drought. The seep near the top was moist w/ lots of small streams of water running through and off the rocks covered in the greens from mosses and plants.
Our walk up was done so at a leisurely pace and the trail was not very crowded. As we gained in elevation we also got more enclosed by clouds, fog, and moisture which seem to just be "free floating" w/ the moisture content in the air so high. Temperatures were probably in the low 70's w/ it feeling at times somewhat cooler combining the rain and wind once at the top. Along the walk above the cave and "Gracie's Pulpit"; where we stopped for "lunch", there was frequent bear scat but we had no visuals. Once at the top we got ourselves some coffee and/or hot chocolate and settled into our surroundings we were to enjoy for the next 18 hours. Some of us walked to "High Tops", and those who did so walked for the experience and appreciation of being on LeConte. Though obviously w/ the weather vistas were not happening. A seasonal Ranger, Mr Danny Thomas, yes the one from Morristown, made a very informative presentation on bears in the park and answered some questions. "Ranger Dan" also led a presentation after dinner on the history of Mt. LeConte and the establishment of the GSMNP. Equally as informative. The folks from the LeConte Shelter also joined us for the second presentation.
Saturday we started "stirring" before 7am, we had a bunch of coffee, a nice breakfast, and then several of us walked up and over to Myrtle Point. Along the way I listened to bitches and moans about the distance, inclines, declines, etc...etc..., and a large smile slowly grew across my face as we approached the point and and the cloud ceiling lowered to the east providing bright sun and a section of "bluer than blue skies", w/ a view from above the clouds. All were happy for coming along. I hope to post some of the pictures my friends took at the point and throughout the excursion. We returned to the lodge to PU our stuff and begin our walk down the Alum Cave Trail.
The "Lady Beth", who initiated this excursion, asked about other ways to access LeConte. After I described the various routes she decided she was going to do it again next year yet come via the AT and the Boulevard Trail. I look forward to great friends and fun to be shared again. Peace
("M. Coenen" took the picture from "above the ceiling" @ Myrtle Point)

I'll Never Tell...

I'll never tell on the Internet anyway! "Dudes and Dudettes", what an awesome walk this was (Saturday 9/20/08), Lots of quiet, rocks and cliffs, bears, blooming flowers, and unmarked, but maintained, trails still yet to explore. If you wanna know more you'll have to ask in person.
Oh! James The Walker will be meeting w/ Rep. John Duncan(R) Dist 2, on Monday 9/22/08, asking for the representatives support of HR 2169, (AKA The Clean Water Protection Act). This bill, if passed would help end Mountaintop Removal as a form of coal mining (Please click on the ilovemountains.org link on the right side of the page here if your not familiar w/ this practice). Keep the walker in your positive thoughts and call your congressional representatives soon. The numbers are provided at the bottom of this page.
Peace

The School Outside

Hello, This walk on Friday, the 19th, began from the gate at which I park when accessing these trails via Redbank and Tuckaleechee Cove. From here I walked the quarter mile or so up the gravel road, enjoying the views, to the park boundary and trailheads for Chestnut Top/School House Gap and Scott Mtn. trails.
I'd already outlined; and told a friend, my route which included a walk from Schoolhouse Gap, to White Oak Sinks, a visit the "bat cave" and return the way I came. Before "descending" onto the sinks trail; which has been modified to allow foot traffic ONLY! I reviewed my map and looked at my compass in order to get some semblance of "where and what". The only other time I'd gone down this trail very far, over a year ago, it was not very well traveled, and being that it's not on the park maps I wanted to have at least a vague idea of what I was walking into (if you do not know where this is keep walking you'll probably find it). The trail into the sinks is relatively moderate w/ a gradual decline and along some sinks as it drops towards the "bat cave". This spur through the sinks and to the cave is approx. 1 mile+-, along the sides and over some small ridges w/ some cool rock formations and open forest under the canopy. Also lots of what looked like various colored Asters, among other flora, blooming along the way.
Once I reached my original destination I noticed a trail that continued up between two ridges, knobs, or whatever, which I followed. This trail took me to another cool site and like the trail in from Schoolhouse, had been recently maintained, cut back, ensuring my confidence that I'd find my way out. (Unlike my previous visit last year) After visiting this other area of interest I was curious as to where this trail I was on would end up or come out. I recalled a fellow hiker telling me of a trail which comes out of the sinks and connects back up w/ either Scott Mtn., or Schoolhouse Gap and I wondered , "hmmmmm?", is this the one? I stopped, looked at my map and compass again and made some observations and guesses then continued on, just to see where it might drop me. Now I'm not one that makes a lot of noise as I walk alone but this route became so "tight" at times as I followed the trail up a creek and what looked like an old road, "I whistled a few times" in order to notify any large animals that I was walking here. My main concern, as I assessed my current status then, was not that I'd be lost but more that I might come out 4 miles "off course". Which shouldn't have been a concern because I had water and some other assorted items for "unplanned contingencies". So I walked on. Eventually I decide to give myself about 5 more minutes before turning around because it looked like I was nearing a ridgeline; as it had appeared for the last 10 or 15, and I did not want to quit before the top. I was reminded of times I've been walking and began to doubt my location or route only to find, usually, that I was right on. Soon after setting this 5 minute limit I realize that I am cresting a ridge and dude! I'm like coming out of the woods in a very familiar area about 1/4 ml. from where I started. Another great day to learn! Ye' of little faith. Peace.

Chestnut Top Colors

Hey! This was new for me. I saw where James the Walker had done this route a few weeks ago and wanted to try it out. Just did about 3 mls. RT, from the 'Y'. I made a deal w/ a bear; who I saw the backside of as it ran, that I'd turn around at the point I did so sticking to my word kinda limited the length (about a mile and a half in). The bear was running so I did not get a picture but got several other nice pictures I think. The first 1/2 mile or so of this trail could be tough because initially it's a steep incline w/ some more moderate grades after the first 1/4 ml.

Panthers at Jakes Gap

Hello Happy Campers, It's raining in Townsend right now (10:43pm, 9/14). It started drizzling a few hours ago and has been pretty steady w/ some nice showers. This is a good thing, as I just finished and enjoyed a relatively short in distance, 3 day excursion and it is getting dry not only in the seeps but also in them small streams as well. Of course some of you folks have been out there and know.
Well my most recent excursion began at the end of Tremont Rd. and the Middle Prong trail. I followed this trail up 2.3 miles to the Panther Creek Trail and hopped what I thought was an easy stream crossing, though like many other stream crossings given normal or above rainfall things would be different.
Before turning left up Panther Crk. I spoke w/ some of the rangers working on the native brook trout restoration program and they made sure I was aware of the work being done and also to pay attention to the notices posted in the areas concerned. While the Middle Prong trail and other trails in this area will remain open September 7-September 19, 2008, to public use for the purpose of conducting the native, Southern Appalachian Brook Trout restoration, hikers should be aware that project personnel will be using all terrain vehicles on the trails to aid in the operation.
I enjoyed the hike up from here on Panther Crk. trail and water was available up until about a 1/2 mile before reaching the Jakes Gap (4055'). To the right at this intersection would have have put me on the Miry Ridge trail and the AT in about 5 miles but my route called for walking down Jakes Crk. Trail a short distance and camping at site #27. This was a nice quiet campsite and had plenty of water down below the lowest site, in the beginnings of what becomes a much larger Jakes Creek. The spot I chose; being the first here I had my choice, turned out to be the spot closest to the stream, about 35 yds., and had a big rock, probably some 15-20' long and several feet in diameter. This made a great table for stuff and/or a bench for me at times when I wasn't using the large log laying parallel to this boulder. The fire pit and site were well kept and the only garbage I saw, and carried out, was a small empty propane canister, found by accident in some tall weeds.
Saturday morn I arose after 8am and began an "unrushed" day. A few hours later I left the site cleaner than I found it and continued down Jakes Crk trail, which I really enjoyed. It was a wide trail following a former railroad route used by the Little River Logging Co., and under a thick canopy while dropping approx. 1500' in elevation over about 2.5 miles before meeting w/ the Meigs Mtn. trail on the left. The Meigs Mtn. trail connects Elkmont and Tremont (10 mls), though I was stopping at campsite #19 (4.6 mls), just past the Curry Mtn. intersection, oh, say a half mile. This is a small campsite w/ only 3 sites I could ID and 1 set of 4 wires to pull your packs and food bags up. There may have been more though I looked some and saw none. I did find water in the spring. Had to run the salamander off that was watching it for a few minutes but it returned after I made the "little one's" small domain deeper and more accessible to my filter hose. It was nice, two days in a row I found plenty of downed dry wood to build fires w/!! This campsite is on part of an old homestead which a Mr Andy Brackin established and this section of Meigs Mtn. trail up from Elkmont is full of history. I suggest taking along the small book 'History Hikes Of The Smokies' (Strutin '03), which can be purchased at the GSMNP visitor centers/bookstore, when walking here.
Sunday morning I got up around 7am, got my coffee, ate my last 2 Odwalla bars, packed my gear and walked back to the Curry Mtn. trail intersection (about .5) to begin my 3.3 ml. descent to the Little River road and the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. This trail has a few relatively small inclines and the rest is pointing down the mountain for about 1100' of vertical. Along the top of this trail there were some nice views which of course will increase w/ the coming of the fall.
Overall a nice short excursion, on trails new to me, and relatively easy terrain once Jakes Gap is Reached from Panther crk.
Please call congress and let them know what you think about protecting our wild life from the destruction of Mountaintop Removal and the proposed I-3. You'll find the number(s) on the bottom of this page. For information on these topics investigate some of the action links provided here. Peace

Meigs Creek Trail

This walk begins at The Sinks parking area; along Little River road, which also provides access to the Meigs Creek Trail. The relatively moderate trail was really fun, once out of the cluster of people and cars which double park in the area provided. After I cleared the stone and root staircase just out of the parking lot and the first hill, I saw no one until I returned. Over this first rise, along the side of a ridge, and back down I crossed a small marsh via stepping stones, previously laid in the dark mud. This was the beginning of a bunch of wet spots, which involved numerous medium to small stream rock hops, and given a time of "average rainfall", or a few days of steady rain this would probably be best done w/ old sneakers, water shoes, etc... According to the "lil brown book" at 1.8 mls. I got to experience the cascades seen in the photo, though it sure didn't feel like a much more than a mile. "Musta been having a bunch of fun". (I hope the guy from Michigan; who looked like he was looking for something to film w/ his camera, didn't follow my suggestion that he might want to walk the "mile or so" to see it.) I followed this trail the 3+ miles to the intersection at Buckhorn Gap and the intersection of the Meigs Mountain and Lumber Ridge trails. This crossroads offers a wide choice of options. I was doing a RT so I sat down, had some gorp and crackers, picked up someones disposable mustard packet and enjoyed the moments. At one point on my walk back I came real close to damn near stepping on what turned out to be two snakes (apparently copperheads) doing their thing, I guess. This could be seen as porn by some and if it offends you turn the channel! The return was cool, in how along this trail there are no drastic elevation losses or gains and so any serious "cardio exertion" I felt was because I chose it by keeping a steady pace up an incline. And there are some extended inclines. I must note in the future that these descriptions of trail difficulty are skewed somewhat to the easy side and that a novice hiker may find the same trail more difficult. Enjoy your walks, Peace.

Along The Trail

Well OK, it's no big thing. I saw one Bear about 6 miles down the trail where I had seen the two noted on this blog, w/ pictures, July 19th. I was on the same route of that previous entry only at opposite ends of it and nearing the end of my 6 mile RT walk. Fresh and frequent bear scat was seen beginning about 1.5 mls up the trail from the parking area though the bear seen here was closer.

The trail was dusty and dry yet water was still flowing in the stream, what say, about a quarter of a mile before campsite #5. The water source at the campsite may have had water but I could not find it. I say "may have" because I'm still not sure if I'm looking in the right area where the sign points me. Maybe these Tropical storms and Hurricanes will spare our friends on the coastlines and bring us some moisture in the form of rain. I did find, and carry out, a crushed bud light can, a power bar wrapper, and some assorted plastic garbage. Including a sign warning of bear activity that had been torn off a tree and left in little pieces. Hmmm? Peace

Final Pickins'

The blueberry's are about done for picking this year at Hidden Springs. I spent a couple of days, Tuesday thru Thursday (9/2-9/4), helping around the farm picking blueberries and doing a few other chores. Now the apples need a bunch of work, the Papaws are ready, and walnuts are not far off from "gathering". And that's partial list of the "chores to learn" as you educate yourselves about organic farming. So there is plenty of work to be done for the WWOOFers or anyone wanting to earn their "keep" while enjoying a small portion of the Cumberland Plateau.
A once-remote wilderness it's natural systems (the worlds longest hardwood-forested plateau) now face challenges from clearcut logging, Mountaintop Removal coal mining, the development of numerous large retirement communities; more being developed, w/ the accompanying golf courses and retail sprawl. Hmmm?! Sounds like some towns in the "far east", of Tennessee that is.
The rains we had a few weeks ago across most of the state helped some here at Hidden Springs. The stream in this gorge does what some over at Savage Gulf/Stone Door, do as well, in that they drop below the surface and run for miles before surfacing again. Leaving a dry rock streambed on the surface and making water usage a challenge at times due to lack of accessibility. Of course not being helped in any way from the draught this area of the country has been feeling for the last few years. This was another short trip into a peaceful relaxing state of learning some about farming and another persons path. I hope to continue this education w/ another trip soon!
(anyone looking for a unique working vacation or an internship for college credit should contact Hector or Susie at Hidden Springs Orchard in Cookeville, TN, "google it")