Meigs Creek

This walk began at approx. 7am Saturday morning with temps in the low 50's, and quiet misty mountains to appreciate. When parking at the Meigs Creek trail head along the Lil' Rvr. rd. just before the hour their were no others present. I began this 7.5 ml. RT w/ the understanding that I may be turned back at some point due to recent rains and the numerous stream crossings along this route, though with careful rock hopping I made it across all the streams, dry. The quieting moisture was thick in the air and on the ground making for a soft trail and little noise so the birds singing and being heard were rather prominent.
At the junction w/ Lumber Ridge and Meigs Mtn. trails I continued for a short distance in one direction or another locating one of interest which I'll walk soon. Hopefully w/ likity or "the mysterious one".
There were some great colors in bloom and maybe a rare plant or two, or maybe not, along this path.
As I returned I reminded myself of the continued need for care when rock hopping only to bust it on the second stream!! Damn near breaking a my middle finger in the roll and "semi-great save" from the water. Another great day in the woods to among other things, enjoy the colors and shapes while contemplating the need for conservancy and the responsibility I have as a human to do so! Peaace.
The pictures in the last entry and this one are from different trails and days! Aaaah! the ferns!

Past The People

Today after speaking with a Ranger at Sugarlands, where I volunteer 1 day a week, who told me of an old growth forest, I decided to hike the Laurel Falls trail and go beyond the falls, and all the holiday traffic on this trail. The pavement ends at the falls but the trail continues which I followed to the intersection with Little Greenbrier trail(3.1 mls) and just about a quarter mile towards Cove Mtn. Making this a RT hike of approximately 7 mls, with a gain in elevation of about 1300'. Though a thousand of which was gained in less than 2 mls after passing the falls.
After getting a hundred or so yards past the most visited waterfalls in the park I only saw 3 people and was able to enjoy; without distraction, the area of old growth less than a mile beyond the falls. Pretty awesome trees and in a relatively lightly traveled area. Beyond the falls that is.
On October 4th of last year I had come from the Little Greenbrier trail head near the Metcalf Bottoms area up to the intersection with Laurel Falls trail and had wondered if I'd ever see the section of trail between there and the falls. Well I have and enjoyed the walk a bunch! Peace.
(Just to note, to avoid any affiliation between wemaybeback and the GSMNP I have chosen not to post the pictures I took of one of the large trees, w/ me beside it for reference, because I was wearing my park uniform)

Spruce Flats Falls

Just a short excursion to get out in the awesome weather! Today I took a short route behind Tremont and a trail over to Spruce Flats Falls which is maybe 3mls RT. This short trail is rough and difficult at times and would not be recommended for anyone w/ "challenged body parts" (i.e. bad ankles, knees).
I've seen theses falls in the dryer parts of the last two years and posted pictures though nothing w/ the volume of water like I saw today. Awesome thing it was and adding to the experience was that I saw no children after leaving Tremont. Great time for reflection. Peace.

Walking in the rain

The weather was great for the water table and plants which means it was raining most of the morning before I started this short excursion. As it has been more frequently so far this year. This month Townsend is half inch over the average precipitation for May and the area is an inch over for the year. So folks we are not getting all that much rain, we just ain't been exposed to it in the last Several years.
The walk is one we're familiar with West Prong to #18, and returning partially along an un-named loop. This posting is mostly to show the beautiful Mountain laurels, add a new entry and to note again not all the hikes we do are posted.
The rain stayed away mostly as I walked this 4+ ml. route. At about a mile into it a Whitetail deer and I exchanged glances and greetings and decided one of us would have to leave the trail w/ steep choices either way. Luckily, as it approached within about 25' it chose to hop off the trail down the mountain and into some brush. I saw no one as I reached site #18, sat on a rock and enjoyed the noise of the full stream there. Peace.

OoopS! OTG Again!

This is what I did on the morning of the 5th of May. An awesome day with the multiple shades of green beginning to fill all areas of vision under the closing canopy. Closing as the leaves continue to sprout and spread growing ever thicker and trapping the moisture and heat. Even w/ temperatures in the 60's & 70's, as I made sometimes strenuous efforts along the route I was opening clothing for ventilation and cool down in the warm moisture soaked environment.

Mound Bottom

This picture is from the Mound Bottom area located along the Harpeth river outside of Nashville. Behind the trees in this picture you can probably make out the largest of the mounds. This was not a burial mound, though with it's size some folks were probably buried on it at some point, rather this is a structural mound where a home and other buildings for the settlement leader would have been. This preserved site was likely home to several hundred Native Americans about 800+ years ago and is protected on three sides by the river. Smaller mounds were built along the edges of the this area along the shores overlooking the river. This site can only be visited with an appointment in order to better maintain and preserve the area. I was here on May 2nd, to recognize some of those that have made the preservation possible. Peace