Panther Creek/Miry Ridge/AT/Greenbrier Ridge/Middle Prong Lolipop

Dudes and Dudettes, this Labor Day weekends, overnight excursion was fabulous! After consulting with Pam, Dan, and Mike in the Backcountry office over two days and finding the first few choices of shelters and campgrounds along desired routes already full we chose the route described in the title of this entry. I had walked all sections of it on various hikes and backpacking excursions and the "Mysterious One" had done some sections of the route. We started Sunday early in the afternoon and finished today (9/3), at about 4:30pm. The walk began with PC skies and humid temperatures in the 80's. After we accessed Panther Creek trail we saw no one until Sunday on the AT, which allowed for a quiet night in campsite #26, which sits a little ways past the high point of Dripping Springs Mtn (4801'). Even with the growing cloud cover at this altitude we had some views of Thunderhead (et.al) as we stopped at this point and appreciated what has been given.

We were delighted to see the campground empty, which may be more a testimony to the frequent lack of water at this campsite and vicinity, than to our good fortune, knowing this we had filled our bottles up along Panther Creek (There was no water at #26, or anywhere near it we were to learn on Sunday). Either way, we enjoyed the privacy, fixed one of those gourmet BP'g meals you hope you can repeat someday; one that was very light to carry, inexpensive, and tasty, and built a nice fire with the plentiful dry wood laying around the area. After enjoying the evening together the "Mysterious One" and I climbed into our tents...and then it rained! There were several thunderstorms throughout the night and I quickly found myself floating in a puddle as the groundcloth I was using had become exposed on one edge and was collecting water. Between storms I drained it and adjusted the exposed edge making for a much dryer night. The next morning despite the rain we did not find any running water so after oatmeal and coffee we started our 13ml+ day with no water. Now we did not go down the Lynn Camp Prong trail in search of any but rather continued on thinking we'd surely find a wet spring. We didn't, until we turned down Greenbrier Ridge trail and had it not been for a gift of about 16 oz of water from a pair of AT sectional hikers we would have been mighty thirsty. They told us that they had not seen water since the Derrick Knob Shelter but we found it like 1/10ml down the Greenbrier. I drank plenty and topped off my bottles for the remaining 8+ miles.

This hike brought challenging terrain and obstacles, beautiful vistas which will be more frequent along most of the route during the coming months and well maintained trails. Besides the distance on the second day (13+mls), this hikes most difficult section was Panther Creek up to Jake's Gap, and portions of the approach to the AT on the second day. All things considered including the scarcity of water I'd call it a difficult hike for many, though worth the effort . Peace

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.

Abrams Creek

This outing began with a trip to an old car camp ground I have not visited in many years. I have in years past visited this drive in camp ground of approximately twenty sites and been the only one there. This was not to be this time however. I grabbed the next to last spot a 2:00 in the afternoon and before I had my tent set up the last spot was taken also.

Abrams Creek is far better known in it's upper portions within Cades Cove but winds its way out of the cove and empties into Chilhowee Lake near the intersection of the Foothills Parkway and Highway 129, which is known to bikers as The Dragons Tail. Chilhowee Lake covers the site of an ancient Overhill Cherokee village and is thought to be the site of the Creek village "Chalahume" visited by Spanish explorer Juan Pardo in 1567.

After the put in and within a quarter of a mile of paddling the creek beds curves and immediately all sound of traffic is forgotten. On this particular trip we encountered several other canoeists/kayakers, but none ventured further than the referenced quarter mile cutoff which is a shame. It was a little past the optimum blooming of the rhododendron, but their spent blossoms floated on the water, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in Japan.

I highly recommend the trip up the creek, where an easy paddle can be turned into a multiple mile excursion. A side trip up Panther Creek for a short distance is also available. Although I was not fishing this time I did see activity and the gravel bed evidence of spawning.