A Loop Completed

Hello avid hikers, outdoors enthusiast, and lost idealist! This Long day hike (14.6 mls) was the completion of a route I've begun two times before (See 11/16/08, 12/03/08), from different directions w/ the thought of, or intention of completing the loop in full both times. The trails included in today's effort, in this order, were Middle Prong, Panther Creek, Miry Ridge, and Lynn Camp Prong. I was the only car/person at the trail head when I arrived a few minutes after 11am.
Today's weather was overcast in the 40's, w/ only a few sprinkles of rain along this route and all the stream crossings were fairly easy. The numerous crossings on the Panther Creek portion all had water and the several large seeps along this route were very wet as well. There was no snow or ice even at the highest points along Miry Ridge and Dripping Springs Mountain (4801').
About a half mile from Jake's Gap coming up Panther Creek trail I had the privilege of seeing two foxes on the trail about 30 yards ahead of me. They both quickly and quietly stepped into the forest and blended away leaving me wondering if I'd actually seen them.
The first half of this route was an incline, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, and though not as steep as other trails like parts of Alum Cave, or Bull head, w/ the consistent incline it would be difficult for the novice hiker. Add the distance and this hike would be considered difficult for most though this route could be done w/ an overnight stay at #28 on Lynn Camp Prong trail.
Water was available for the most part except for the Miry Ridge section though during which I noted several seeps. Campsite #26 is now closed at the Miry Ridge location and preliminary plans to relocate it are being revised. We'll keep you posted on where it's going to be re-established.
The only folks I saw were in the last few miles as I returned along the Middle Prong trail. Two folks bushwhacking w/ there horses, is that legal?, and a couple at the beginning of an evening walk about a mile from the parking at Tremont Rd.
Overall this was a very enjoyable hike especially the parts alone! Peace.

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.

Panthers at Jakes Gap

Hello Happy Campers, It's raining in Townsend right now (10:43pm, 9/14). It started drizzling a few hours ago and has been pretty steady w/ some nice showers. This is a good thing, as I just finished and enjoyed a relatively short in distance, 3 day excursion and it is getting dry not only in the seeps but also in them small streams as well. Of course some of you folks have been out there and know.
Well my most recent excursion began at the end of Tremont Rd. and the Middle Prong trail. I followed this trail up 2.3 miles to the Panther Creek Trail and hopped what I thought was an easy stream crossing, though like many other stream crossings given normal or above rainfall things would be different.
Before turning left up Panther Crk. I spoke w/ some of the rangers working on the native brook trout restoration program and they made sure I was aware of the work being done and also to pay attention to the notices posted in the areas concerned. While the Middle Prong trail and other trails in this area will remain open September 7-September 19, 2008, to public use for the purpose of conducting the native, Southern Appalachian Brook Trout restoration, hikers should be aware that project personnel will be using all terrain vehicles on the trails to aid in the operation.
I enjoyed the hike up from here on Panther Crk. trail and water was available up until about a 1/2 mile before reaching the Jakes Gap (4055'). To the right at this intersection would have have put me on the Miry Ridge trail and the AT in about 5 miles but my route called for walking down Jakes Crk. Trail a short distance and camping at site #27. This was a nice quiet campsite and had plenty of water down below the lowest site, in the beginnings of what becomes a much larger Jakes Creek. The spot I chose; being the first here I had my choice, turned out to be the spot closest to the stream, about 35 yds., and had a big rock, probably some 15-20' long and several feet in diameter. This made a great table for stuff and/or a bench for me at times when I wasn't using the large log laying parallel to this boulder. The fire pit and site were well kept and the only garbage I saw, and carried out, was a small empty propane canister, found by accident in some tall weeds.
Saturday morn I arose after 8am and began an "unrushed" day. A few hours later I left the site cleaner than I found it and continued down Jakes Crk trail, which I really enjoyed. It was a wide trail following a former railroad route used by the Little River Logging Co., and under a thick canopy while dropping approx. 1500' in elevation over about 2.5 miles before meeting w/ the Meigs Mtn. trail on the left. The Meigs Mtn. trail connects Elkmont and Tremont (10 mls), though I was stopping at campsite #19 (4.6 mls), just past the Curry Mtn. intersection, oh, say a half mile. This is a small campsite w/ only 3 sites I could ID and 1 set of 4 wires to pull your packs and food bags up. There may have been more though I looked some and saw none. I did find water in the spring. Had to run the salamander off that was watching it for a few minutes but it returned after I made the "little one's" small domain deeper and more accessible to my filter hose. It was nice, two days in a row I found plenty of downed dry wood to build fires w/!! This campsite is on part of an old homestead which a Mr Andy Brackin established and this section of Meigs Mtn. trail up from Elkmont is full of history. I suggest taking along the small book 'History Hikes Of The Smokies' (Strutin '03), which can be purchased at the GSMNP visitor centers/bookstore, when walking here.
Sunday morning I got up around 7am, got my coffee, ate my last 2 Odwalla bars, packed my gear and walked back to the Curry Mtn. trail intersection (about .5) to begin my 3.3 ml. descent to the Little River road and the Metcalf Bottoms picnic area. This trail has a few relatively small inclines and the rest is pointing down the mountain for about 1100' of vertical. Along the top of this trail there were some nice views which of course will increase w/ the coming of the fall.
Overall a nice short excursion, on trails new to me, and relatively easy terrain once Jakes Gap is Reached from Panther crk.
Please call congress and let them know what you think about protecting our wild life from the destruction of Mountaintop Removal and the proposed I-3. You'll find the number(s) on the bottom of this page. For information on these topics investigate some of the action links provided here. Peace