Friday Afternoon on Rich Mountain

Hello! This day hike began at the Rich Mtn. trail head off of Rich Mtn. road, which is still closed for the Cades Cove work expected to wrap-up on the 24th of this month, April. The weather was wonderful as it actually cooled in the last few days. So with temperatures in the 60's up here and skies PC, and a nice breeze I enjoyed an undisturbed walk for approximately 5 mls. roundtrip. The route today took me to Cerulean Knob where I got this photo of LeConte I believe.
I've taken pictures of this peak before and figured it was either Clingmans or LeConte, and assuming what I saw on another web site is correct, and reviewing the pictures I'd say LeConte. (http://solitarywalker.com/rich_mtn_loop.htm)
Along the walk I noticed streams in places I'd never seen or heard them despite being 3 inches below average for the calendar year in these parts. As Meg the Hiker noted in her last entry with temperatures above the norm; 20 degrees plus on some days, earlier this week and last, this has cut short the time of some early blooms. However this Bloodroot looks great!

Long Loop Thursday the 29th

This 14 ml. excursion took place last Thursday, the 29th, on a partly cloudy, cool to cold day, depending where I was at the time, w/ a light wind. I began this excursion from the parking area just beyond the Old Sugarlands Trail junction w/ Bull Head, and the Rainbow Falls trails, following Bull Head trail as it made the 7 mile+ ascent, w/ an approximate 4500' elevation gain, ending atop Mt. LeConte. I was distracted shortly after the incline began as a Whitetail grazed just above the path among some trees and boulders barely paying me any attention as I fumbled for my camera. This trail was moist from recent precipitation with, I noticed several times, cliffs just off the right side of it hidden amongst the rodo's. Speaking of which! The "rodo hells" I saw on parts of this trail and parts along the Rainbow Falls trail which I returned on, were some of the thickest I've seen yet in the park. Of course I still have got a lot to see but damn they were thick!
Once I reached the "Pulpit", about 4 miles from LeConte, (described in the "lil' brown book" pg. 145) I rested for a few minutes, took some pictures, and ate some "fodder". Just before here and several times after your have views down on Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and distant points beyond.
It was just past here where snow and ice began appearing on the trail. Something which obviously increased along w/ the elevation. The last mile plus going up, and about the same distance coming back down the Rainbow Falls Trail the ice and snow on the trail required Extra attention and caution!
After arriving at LeConte lodge I sat the porch of one of the buildings ate a "gourmet roast beef sandwich", some carrots, and some chocolate. Not having a lot of time to sit around, as I had started later than expected, I walked very carefully up to "Cliff Tops" and got some great pictures. I say "very carefully", due to the fact that most of the trail was covered in a thick sheet of moist ice and snow. This done I gathered my gear and began my descent from the lodge the .6 back to the Rainbow Falls trail head.
This trail was more rocky and rough than Bull Head, w/ some panoramic views of scenes as far off as Wear Valley and Townsend it appeared. About a quarter mile or so before rainbow Falls I began crossing some large streams which increased my eagerness to see these falls which until then I'd only heard others talk about and seen as a spot on maps.
I apologize to all the novices I've sent here when I'm acting as a Volunteer at one of the park Visitor Centers. This 5.4 ml. round trip walk from the parking lot ain't for sissy's !
After I stopped by the falls, appreciated the moments, got some picture's, and continued down, I passed a family coming up the mountain still a half mile plus out. Dude and Dudette! With 3 kids ranging from early teens to one about 3-4 years old. Damn, I hope those "young ens" remember that day as good and if they reached the falls they probably will.
This was a difficult route for obvious reasons and one I hope to do again w/ some variations such as doing Trillium Gap trail or reversing this route which is the way the trails are described in the "lil' brown book". Good exercise, Peace.

Mount LeConte

Hello fellow wild life enthusiast! This excursion could be a model; minus the weather, for many trips yet to happen via Southern Appalachian Excursions. My friend the "Lady Beth", had taken the initiative for her group, which eventually included me, and made reservations at the LeConte Lodge. This was going to be a busy weekend in the park W/ the 75th reunion of the Civilian Conservation Corp, going on at and around, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, w/ some other large celebrations of the history and culture of this region happening in Townsend.
Our excursion started from the Alum Cave trailhead parking and consisted of 8 folks, 7 of which had little or no recent hiking experience. This included active smokers, a woman recovering from recent foot surgery, another walker whom had a "bad knee", and an earnest desire from all to enjoy the day and learn.
The weather was overcast and wet w/ occasional sprinkles as we proceeded up the trail. Alum Cave Creek had water though of course was at low levels w/ the current drought. The seep near the top was moist w/ lots of small streams of water running through and off the rocks covered in the greens from mosses and plants.
Our walk up was done so at a leisurely pace and the trail was not very crowded. As we gained in elevation we also got more enclosed by clouds, fog, and moisture which seem to just be "free floating" w/ the moisture content in the air so high. Temperatures were probably in the low 70's w/ it feeling at times somewhat cooler combining the rain and wind once at the top. Along the walk above the cave and "Gracie's Pulpit"; where we stopped for "lunch", there was frequent bear scat but we had no visuals. Once at the top we got ourselves some coffee and/or hot chocolate and settled into our surroundings we were to enjoy for the next 18 hours. Some of us walked to "High Tops", and those who did so walked for the experience and appreciation of being on LeConte. Though obviously w/ the weather vistas were not happening. A seasonal Ranger, Mr Danny Thomas, yes the one from Morristown, made a very informative presentation on bears in the park and answered some questions. "Ranger Dan" also led a presentation after dinner on the history of Mt. LeConte and the establishment of the GSMNP. Equally as informative. The folks from the LeConte Shelter also joined us for the second presentation.
Saturday we started "stirring" before 7am, we had a bunch of coffee, a nice breakfast, and then several of us walked up and over to Myrtle Point. Along the way I listened to bitches and moans about the distance, inclines, declines, etc...etc..., and a large smile slowly grew across my face as we approached the point and and the cloud ceiling lowered to the east providing bright sun and a section of "bluer than blue skies", w/ a view from above the clouds. All were happy for coming along. I hope to post some of the pictures my friends took at the point and throughout the excursion. We returned to the lodge to PU our stuff and begin our walk down the Alum Cave Trail.
The "Lady Beth", who initiated this excursion, asked about other ways to access LeConte. After I described the various routes she decided she was going to do it again next year yet come via the AT and the Boulevard Trail. I look forward to great friends and fun to be shared again. Peace
("M. Coenen" took the picture from "above the ceiling" @ Myrtle Point)