Cades Cove Loop

The Cades Cove Loop for vehicle traffic is closed as of March 1st for repaving until the end of May!!! Trailheads, the camping area and stables will remain open during this repair project. So Sorry for the inconvience...Not!!

Rich Mountain Road

I began this casual walk up Rich Mtn.rd. from the parking area for the Ace Gap trail and Rich Mtn. trail access coming in from Dry Valley. The only sign of humans were some day old bike tracks left in the snow over the 3 miles or so I walked in. It was a very pleasant walk up easy to moderate inclines most of the way with views through the trees at several points of parts of Cades Cove way in the distance. A hike I hope to do again when I'm looking for an easy afternoon walk, before the cove loop re-opens in May. Peace

Cheese Sticks, Cellophane, and Cigarettes

The title of this entry describes some of the stuff I picked up along the West Prong trail today as I walked to the #18 campsite from Tremont. The "cheese sticks" refers to the plastic wrappers someone left for the animals near the pieces of cellophane there entree' was apparently wrapped in. Hmmmmm!?.
This walk is usually quite relaxing, as it was today, and an opportunity to get some exercise with what I'd consider a moderate incline both going to and coming from the camping area. This makes for about a 4.5 mile RT. West Prong trail was soggy in some areas and quiet in most. Quiet in that the ground was soft and the only folks I saw were day hikers making the climb up from the campsite back towards Tremont. Peace.

Back In The Woods Again!

Hello happy hikers! Ok, I'm at least happy myself because I got back in the forest today for a short 3 mile excursion to begin my "detox" from working in the city for the last few months. Uuuuggh!! This walk OTG was extremly quiet due to the snow which still covered the trail most of the way. The temperature was around freezing with bright sun and little wind where I was walking. Heard reports of early morning temps around Cades Cove in the teens. I'm looking forward to enjoying the trails as the winter continues to wander on and local hikers are the only folks along them, making for frequent solitude. My stress levels have noticeably dropped since walking and so I think I better do it again tomorrow. Haaaaaa! Peace.

Ready, Aim, and Call Your congressional representatives and Invite Them for a Walk In The Woods!

Hello Paranoid, insecure and exceptionally unprepared hikers and lawmakers! On February 22nd, 2010 a new federal law allows people like you who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Tennessee and North Carolina laws differ so call the Chief Ranger -- 865-436-1255, if you have any questions! When was the last time one of these elected folks actually got out off their pulpits of fear and hiked an unpaved trial for more than 30 minutes in Any national park?
Now I am not the most avid hiker in these parts, yet over the last few years I have averaged walking over 500 miles/year on trails along the Cumberland Plateau, the mountains of East Tennessee, Western North Carolina, and other parts. This is more than most people will hike in a lifetime and I'm also sure many of you hike much more. Along these walks I have had the privilege of sharing space with many animals including "several" bears and have Never once felt the need for a firearm to protect myself. The FEW times I have really felt fear during any of these "meetings" it has always been because of my carelessness.
In a time far, far, away from me now I once hunted bear for sport in Canada. I was put up in a tree 15+ feet off the ground and told to watch a particular spot. On the fateful evening I killed a young female black bear the first shot from my high powered rifle went ripping through her front left leg just missing vital organs. This mother bear began racing towards the tree I was sitting in showing know physical signs of being shot and she did not have my best interest at heart as she quickly approached.
I'll spare the details, however it is important to note that this bear had been hit by a large bullet; much bigger and more powerful than a 9mm etc..., the shot was made by a relatively calm person who had time to aim, and it only pissed her off! Had I been on the ground the day would have ended completely different.

So lets return to the present. Should I be startled by one of these magnificent creatures as I walk in their "backyards" and over react out of ignorance and fear a handgun ain't gonna help. If you feel the need for a firearm to eat in a particular restaurant you probably have no reason to eat at that restaurant. And if you really need a firearm strapped to your body to feel safe while your insecure ass and overweight family hike the whole 1.8 miles of your lifetime I suggest you stay the F____ in suburbia and go to the movies or attend a ranger led hike out of one of the visitor centers. That's all for now. Thanks.