Fall Colors Bloom

Hey dudes and dudettes! This day began with a pleasant walk into White Oak Sink, coming in from outside the park and the School House Gap. As I enjoyed the relative quiet I took pictures of some of the many colors along the trail that were in the form of blooms and not the usual suspects yet. Though some trees are beginning to show change the "peak" is still a few weeks out. The enjoyment of the often unrecognized fall blooms delights me as I appreciate this season for the beginnings of some things. I hope you can too. Peace

White Oaks

Today I walked into White Oak Sinks from an unmarked route and found the area quiet except for conversations with a hiking partner who spotted this psychedelic fungus growing on a log beside the trail. The temperature was in the 30's with PC skies and a cool breeze. Lots of fresh skat from boar was seen throughout the area we walked in the sink.

Quiet Time In White Oak Sinks

This afternoons walk was really peaceful and quiet with mostly clear blue skys as I began with patches of thunderstorms speckled around the region. Clouds and a few rain drops as I completed my hike. There were no other human visitors present and little sign that anyone had been there in the last few hours. Though the wear on the small trails indicates traffic has been heavy this spring with new routes made in the last few months. I saw flowers and a running bear as I explored this area again. Peace

Blue Friday

Blue skies this Friday! On The walk up School House gap trail it was cold for a short section, say the first 1/8th of a mile or so. Then it warmed up and was quite pleasant 40's w/ sunshine, even in the sink. The trail was slippery and soft with melting snow and some mud.
And Dude! It was a good feeling as I found a spot in the sun in White Oak sinks beside a rock pile and remnants of old iron stove and I got still. It was extremely peaceful and I appreciated the time for quick personal assessment. Some birds were messing around. There were small ones, and I saw a Magpie as well as a large game bird I could not identify though it remained relatively close moving from tree to tree.
This walk probably covers close to 4 mls. over moderate terrain. Peace

Bushwacking!

Today I took a semi-educated guess and went completely off the grid for about a mile into White Oak Sink. Heck, it was pretty likely that I was going to end up either in the sink or crossing the road to Cades Cove.
After coming upon the trail, almost exactly where I was expecting/hoping, I continued to the sink where at one point I noticed a bear quickly moving with little noise up a ridge in front of me. Just before you get the the rocky cliff on your left near the bottom. I've seen several bears as I've walked this route.

Walking The Schoolhouse Gap

This 3 ml. midday stroll began down on Schoolhouse Gap rd., a few hundred yards before the gate where I usually park. Someone was in the one spot where you can pull off the road at the gate, which added a little more incline to the walk. There was lots of noise initially from some construction happening nearby. It appears to be from building the newest "retreat" in the area. A development of which Bill, a native resident of this cove, had spoken of as I passed him sometime ago. Leaning against his truck he spoke of appreciating what this land once was to his family and what it's becoming now to developers and those who find no value in the natural beauty and history found here. Driven by short sighted arrogance and selfishness these folks remove the very things that make the region rich in wondrous diversity.
My walk today was for exercise, relaxation and meditation so I followed the trail to the White Oak spur and continued into the sinks. Rainbow falls was flowing well as one of the pictures shows, w/ small spots of snow hidden in the shade of rocks and logs.

While in the sinks I waved to a couple whom I saw from afar. They were leaving w/ their day packs, cameras and folding chairs. These were the only folks I saw in the sinks which made for a very enjoyable excursion. Peace

Walking Sunday

Hello, this walk of I guess about 3.5 miles, began at the Townsend entrance for the School House Gap trail. Which means I parked at the gate coming in from Dry Valley. Confused yet?
This hike has been described before (11/28/08), I only wanted to make an entry in order to post some more pictures and try and share some of the peace I find when taking these walks. See ya'

White Oak Traffic

Dudes and Dudettes! I saw more people today coming out of the White Oak Sinks than I've seen in all the times I've walked School House Gap in the last year and a half, combined. Literally, We must have passed close to 20 people in different groups along the first couple hundred yards off the School House Gap trail heading into the sinks.
Aah, they were all heading out though! So some friends and I saw no one after the initial traffic which made for very pleasant walk. The temperature was in the low 50's maybe, w/ it cooler in the "hollers" and ravines shaded by neighboring ridges. Saw some squirrels, heard some more, visited the falls, and felt some peace.

The School Outside

Hello, This walk on Friday, the 19th, began from the gate at which I park when accessing these trails via Redbank and Tuckaleechee Cove. From here I walked the quarter mile or so up the gravel road, enjoying the views, to the park boundary and trailheads for Chestnut Top/School House Gap and Scott Mtn. trails.
I'd already outlined; and told a friend, my route which included a walk from Schoolhouse Gap, to White Oak Sinks, a visit the "bat cave" and return the way I came. Before "descending" onto the sinks trail; which has been modified to allow foot traffic ONLY! I reviewed my map and looked at my compass in order to get some semblance of "where and what". The only other time I'd gone down this trail very far, over a year ago, it was not very well traveled, and being that it's not on the park maps I wanted to have at least a vague idea of what I was walking into (if you do not know where this is keep walking you'll probably find it). The trail into the sinks is relatively moderate w/ a gradual decline and along some sinks as it drops towards the "bat cave". This spur through the sinks and to the cave is approx. 1 mile+-, along the sides and over some small ridges w/ some cool rock formations and open forest under the canopy. Also lots of what looked like various colored Asters, among other flora, blooming along the way.
Once I reached my original destination I noticed a trail that continued up between two ridges, knobs, or whatever, which I followed. This trail took me to another cool site and like the trail in from Schoolhouse, had been recently maintained, cut back, ensuring my confidence that I'd find my way out. (Unlike my previous visit last year) After visiting this other area of interest I was curious as to where this trail I was on would end up or come out. I recalled a fellow hiker telling me of a trail which comes out of the sinks and connects back up w/ either Scott Mtn., or Schoolhouse Gap and I wondered , "hmmmmm?", is this the one? I stopped, looked at my map and compass again and made some observations and guesses then continued on, just to see where it might drop me. Now I'm not one that makes a lot of noise as I walk alone but this route became so "tight" at times as I followed the trail up a creek and what looked like an old road, "I whistled a few times" in order to notify any large animals that I was walking here. My main concern, as I assessed my current status then, was not that I'd be lost but more that I might come out 4 miles "off course". Which shouldn't have been a concern because I had water and some other assorted items for "unplanned contingencies". So I walked on. Eventually I decide to give myself about 5 more minutes before turning around because it looked like I was nearing a ridgeline; as it had appeared for the last 10 or 15, and I did not want to quit before the top. I was reminded of times I've been walking and began to doubt my location or route only to find, usually, that I was right on. Soon after setting this 5 minute limit I realize that I am cresting a ridge and dude! I'm like coming out of the woods in a very familiar area about 1/4 ml. from where I started. Another great day to learn! Ye' of little faith. Peace.