Pre Fall Colors along the Rich Mtn Trail

Another awesome day along this 2+ ml. section of trail which we've hiked many times.  I as usual find this hike relaxing in a mental sense and challenging on a physical level, depending on how fast you proceed along this mostly uphill climb.  That is 2+ mls. of incline of course if you're beginning from the parking area just outside the park where Rich Mtn. rd. exits from the park boundary.
The trees are still pretty full though I noticed in the long range forecast that the temps will be falling drastically next week so this will change. 

Along this walk I saw birds, squirrels, purple, white and yellow blooms, but no bears.....yet.  The mast crop was plentiful and there was fresh scat to indicate their presence along most of the trail.
And at one point lots of  'shrooms.
I enjoyed sitting for a few minutes at the top and just listening before returning the way I came.

Dry Times: This just in....

Great Smoky Mountains National Park firefighters are fighting a 25-acre wildfire located along the northwest boundary of the park north of the Abrams Creek Campground area. The Happy Valley Ridge Fire was reported at approximately 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, September 14. Firefighters from the park and the Tennessee Division of Forestry responded to the fire which is located inside the park boundary.  

Primarily, the fire is slowly spreading with flame lengths less than three feet high through a pine-oak forest. At times, the active fire reached flame heights between five to six feet high during the hottest, driest periods of the afternoon. The fire is burning within a suppression fire zone due to the proximity to the park boundary. A 10-person Hotshot fire crew from the Cherokee National Forest will assist with fire suppression efforts in the morning.

The current location of the fire is not threatening any structures, roads, or trails. All park areas remain open at this time. Visitors should expect to see smoke from the Foothills Parkway West and the Abrams Creek area of the park. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but a natural, lightening start is possible.