Hiking Rich Mtn Trail

This trail is a consistent choice if I am seeking a physical challenge, nature's beauty and solitude. And the physical challenge is optional if you want to "slow walk" it.

It's still an incline of 2mls to begin with but I can stop and look at things, listen for noises and notice even the small things.  Which in order to do so cause me to slow down.
Yesterday I was seeking some "cardio" so I was keeping up a good pace throughout the initial 2mls. There were some really high winds blowing as the remnants of tropical storm Cindy continued to slide through this region and that provided me the opportunity to watch the trees in the passes and along the ridges swinging in the gusting winds. It reminded me of people enjoying an old gospel song standing together with their arms in the air swaying from side to side keeping the rhythm with their bodies.
No bears seen today (6-23) however there was sign of young ones.

Trail Closures

My friends at the GSMNP want you to know....

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that there will be a temporary closure of a section of trail along the Jakes Creek and Little River Trails on Monday, June 26 through Friday, June 30 to complete the Ekmont Historic District demolition project. 

Both the Jakes Creek Trail and Little River Trail will be closed to all use from the trailheads to the junction with the Cucumber Gap Trail. All campsites/shelters in the backcountry will remain open and can be accessed using routes that do not include the closed sections of trail. Note that Backcountry Campsites 21 and 24 are currently closed for bear activity. 

Weather depending, the entire demolition project is expected to be complete on June 30, 2017.

The Following is why.....

.....Park Rangers and employees strongly suggest you follow recommendations from them and the signs you see along the trails.
DEATH IN THE SMOKIES
On Sunday, May 28, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers received a report that a 37 year-old male fell from the top of the 100-foot tall Ramsey Cascades waterfall late that afternoon. The man, who was hiking alone, was observed climbing across the top of the waterfall before he fell. Park Rangers immediately responded to the scene and determined the individual, who had fallen approximately 80 feet, was deceased. Rangers recovered the body on Monday, May 29.
....And not to minimize this mans loss in any way, however this could have not happened. It is Sooo! Important for visitors to the GSMNP, and any other protected area to listen to and follow suggestions form Rangers.

I have volunteered for like 9+ years in the GSMNP and listened to park service employees, and other long-term volunteers tell of similar horrible mistakes made by folks who thought they were exempt from the dangers noted on a sign or what had been explained to them by a Ranger. 
This feeling of "oh, it'll be alright, I've hiked in the glaciers of Alaska", or, "oh, I'll be fine I've done this before", does not mean you won't slip this time. 
Peace and awareness to you all as you hike the path.