White Oak Traffic

Dudes and Dudettes! I saw more people today coming out of the White Oak Sinks than I've seen in all the times I've walked School House Gap in the last year and a half, combined. Literally, We must have passed close to 20 people in different groups along the first couple hundred yards off the School House Gap trail heading into the sinks.
Aah, they were all heading out though! So some friends and I saw no one after the initial traffic which made for very pleasant walk. The temperature was in the low 50's maybe, w/ it cooler in the "hollers" and ravines shaded by neighboring ridges. Saw some squirrels, heard some more, visited the falls, and felt some peace.

Big Deer

Hello, this walk was a short (approx. 3+mls.) RT, up and along Chestnut Top trail beginning at the 'Y'.
The temperature was in the 50's, w/ sunny skies when on a southwest facing ridge. The trail was extremely quiet w/ the recent rains softening the fallen leaves. As I walked I saw squirrels, birds, bear skat, and this large deer showed himself on the last section of the walk. I heard him and some other animals moving in a ravine below and I stood and listened as he drew closer coming up to access the trail. He saw me shortly after coming out on to the trail but showed no concern and casually began walking the other direction. This has been an invigorating hike each time I've taken it, be it from the variety of animals seen or simply the difficulty of the first 1/2ml+ coming from the 'Y'.

Time Away

Today was a great day to walk in the woods. I began this 13 plus mile day hike at the Middle Prong trail head and followed it up to Panther Creek Trail. This trail, as I described in previous entries is a consistent 2.3 ml. incline, sometimes quickly sometimes slowly, w/ numerous stream crossings. Several of the crossings; I counted 10 crossings today that could have got your socks wet, required some rock hopping. At Jake's Gap, 4055', I turned right onto Miry Ridge Trail and followed it to Double Springs Mountain, 4801'. From here I had a beautiful view across the valley to Cold Springs Knob and the "spine of the smokies" along which runs the AT. At this elevation all was frozen in white snow and ice, about 6 inches on the ground w/ the frozen branches on the hardwood trees looking like intricate crystal sculptures. Campsite #26, which is set off the trail some, was further along approx. 8/10 of a mile and this campsite looks like a great one for both summer and winter. Protected from the wind by large trees, both evergreens and hardwoods, w/ a couple of rigs to hoist packs up on. More detailed information about the history and plant life here can be found in the "lil brown book". The high canopy here covers a big open area for tents and the fire ring. I sat on one of the large logs laying around this site and retied my boots, at some gorp, had some water, and appreciated, w/ gratitude, what was around me. On the return trip about halfway down Panther Creek Trail the snow was melting some as the sun had been shining through the now partly cloudy skies and adding another winter hiking element, some mud. By the time I reached my car it was dark and time for a warm shower. Oh! I forgot my camera so if you wanna see what's there, come on and let's take a walk! Peace.

Siganl Point/Cumberland Trail

Today I began a 3 ml. walk at Signal Point Park for a short afternoon spiritual tune-up. The route chosen is very close to downtown Chattanooga and is part of the Cumberland Trail which spans over 300 mls, from the Cumberland Gap National Park, located on the KY-TN state line due north of Knoxville, south to the Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area. So from this starting point it can be short day hike or one can spend several days out following the trail 13+ mls. into Prentice Cooper. There are some wonderful trails and campsites in this forest area, though on an extended hike into Prentice Cooper it's important to watch for the different hunting seasons so as to avoid having to walk through the acres open to "harvesting".
This excursion today took me down to the bridge at Middle Creek and the dam where I took some pictures and sat on a rock to enjoy the beauty seen in the colors from the trees and reflections on the water. Peace
(Yesterday a friend and I took a walk along the same route I followed last wknd, on Lookout Mtn. and have re-calculated the distance at approx, 6 mls+.)

Lookout

Hey! This walk allowed me that feeling of relative peace for a short time amongst the current pace of work. Traveling from ATL to Nashville I stopped in Chattanooga for the day to visit some friends and do a day hike as there are a bunch of choices locally. This route began at a familiar spot at the bottom of the mountain in the parking area just before the Nature Center. Across the road the trail begins easily enough, or so it seems. Shortly after starting the trail begins a steady and often steep climb. As I was finishing up, I met a couple from the Bristol area who were just beginning the climb and they had stopped to rest just as this menacing section of the trail comes into vision which is steep, straight, and probably 100 yards plus of rough trail. I descended upon them as they rested, we exchanged greetings and spoke for some time. Seems he had a relative who fought the Civil War battle here and was curious as to where and how the soldiers had made their approach up the mountain. Knowing little of this mountains history I suggested locating a ranger or ask at the Nature Center for other ideas and information.

My route had taking me up to the first level "intersection" where one trail continues the steady, steep climb to Sunset Rock and Point Park, and another continued along the side of the mountain. Having walked/climbed the first option several times previously I chose the second option. I followed this trail; which at the beginning was most likely Skyuka Trail, for 3+ miles and came upon three intersections along the way, choosing to "stay to the left" at each I slowly gained elevation. And as I "stayed to the left" most likely left the Skyuka Trail. I could see at times through the trees several miles and across the interstate, Raccoon Mtn., and at one point I was at least at eye level w/ the top of that distant ridge line which would indicate that I had reached an elevation of approx. 1000'. Along this way I was blessed w/ views of a few blue Asters still in bloom, several groups of deer, and a bunch of wild turkeys. This was a relaxing, easily accessible walk of moderate difficulty due to the first 1/4 ml, and the length I covered, 6+miles. Peace