Bears and Campsites GSMNP Update

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
Shelters: Icewater Springs
BC Sites: BC #68, BC #24

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #28, #35, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte, Laurel Gap, and Silers Bald
Trails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,
Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, Forney
Ridge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands

Shelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap

Closed Trails and BC sites:
Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,
Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north
of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC #68

USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: BC #28, #35, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, and Silers BaldTrails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, ForneyRidge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands Shelter
Closed for Construction: Laurel Gap
Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail northof its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail.
USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALLBACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Bears and Campsites

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY: BC Sites: #35 and #38
USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY: BC Sites: BC #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85 Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, and Silers Bald Trails: Mt. Sterling, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp,Laurel Falls, Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades, Forney Ridge (upper section) and Old Sugarlands Shelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap
Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Hatcher Mountain Trail north of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail. USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Campsites and Bears in The GSMNP

CAMPSITES CLOSED DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: #35, and #68 USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:BC Sites: BC #18, #21, # 24, #28, #36, #37, #38, #61 and #85Shelters: Mt LeConte, Spence Field, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap,Laurel Gap, Cosby Knob, and Silers BaldTrails: Mt. Sterling Trail, Anthony Creek Trail & Horse Camp, Laurel Falls,Clingmans Dome Tower, Little River, Ramsey Cascades Trail, and Forney RidgeTrail (upper section). Old Sugarlands TrailShelter closed for Construction: Laurel Gap Closed Trails and BC sites:Due to recent storms, the following trails are closed: Gunter Fork Trail,Beard Cane Trail including Campsites 3 & 11, Cooper Road Trail fromjunction at Beard Cane to Cades Cove Loop Road, Hatcher Mountain Trailnorth of its intersection with the Little Bottoms Trail, Rabbit Creek Trailfrom the junction with the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams FallsTrailhead, including Campsite 15, and Wet Bottom Trail. USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Curry Mountain Trail

This trail head lies just across the street from the east end of Metcalf Bottoms and would be considered moderate to difficult over its 3.3 mile length depending on your condition. The Curry Mountain trail can seem imposing when one starts the walk and over the first mile there is a considerable climb however it eventually mellows with a broken pattern of declines, flat spots and a general incline over the next two plus miles.
I found the trail clear and wide and after the first mile or so I began to have some great views to the east framed often with pink and white Mountain Laurels. These Mountain laurels were scattered on both sides of the trail, sometimes quite thick, over the next two miles.










The Curry Mountain trail parallels the Little River road more or less for the first mile and thus there was audible traffic noise for about 30 minutes into this walk.
Each time I've walked this trail I've enjoyed it especially after the first mile or more traveling in the direction chosen today. At the 3.3 mile mark it intersects with the Meigs Mountain trail which to the left will take you by campsite #20 on the way to Elkmont, or to the right and a short distance to campsite #19 before continuing on to Tremont.

Big Timber and Little Bears August 7th

This walk began on the Lead Cove Trail("led"), after it crosses Laurel Crk Rd, going in the direction of the Bote Mtn Trl. "Ja'll git all that"? The trail parallels the road for a short distance and then makes a sharp left turn to begin a more pleasant experience following the path of an old road that once went through this reforested farmland. A stream goes along side the trail for a little while. Off the trail here to the left I noticed some piles of rock which were apparently made by man. When I got home I checked the "lil' brown book", that I'd obviously forgotten, and learned I was probably looking at what remains of Gibson Tiptons' cabin. The Tipton's were some of the first Anglo settlers in the Cove. As I progressed up towards the intersection w/ Bote Mtn Trl, I noticed the large trees scattered consistently in the forest and amongst these large hardwoods were big decaying Hemlocks, still standing. The seemingly larger than usual trees were seen along the whole loop I made this day. As I made it farther into the forest and higher in elevation the walk became very pleasant though somewhat physically challenging and at times very rough from exposed rocks and roots. The picture here is from a similar sight along Anthony Crk Trl a few miles further in the walk. I've found this to be more "the case", than not on these dual use trails, which this whole loop was, dual use. At the intersection w/ Bote Mtn. (aprx. 3000') the route I chose took me to the right, up Bote Mtn. Trl, so after enjoying a log to sit on for a few minutes and the vista which included Thunderhead peak I walked some more. From here, after 1.2 miles in distance and 800' gain in elevation, up a sometimes again rough rocky trail, the Anthony Crk Trl begins on the right. This is a 3.5 mile decline almost continually along side the sometimes large creek for which the trail is named. After about a half mile or so I passed campsite #9 which was a pretty nice site right beside Anthony Crk. Throughout the walk here there are small cascades and then pools of water large enough to "waller" around in if one saw fit to do so. Towards the bottom, about .5 miles away from a large equestrian campsite, I spotted two cubs running for cover, apparently having noticed my approach. I stopped to check for "ma and pa", and after 5 minutes or so, I saw and heard nothing further so I continued on my walk.
A few minutes later I crossed over a wide wooden bridge and shortly after that, before the trail split for the Cades Cove Campground, was the large equestrian campground. This camp location was different than it is shown on the park trail map that I was using. Shortly after the campsite was the right turn for the 1.6 mile Crib Gap Trail that damn near put me right on the side of the Laurel Creek Rd. a few times before crossing it at .8 ml. and connecting back to where I began the excursion after another .8 mls. The last few hundred yards were very pleasant visually, though the frequent noise from vehicles was close to remind me where I was in the park. The final approach into the cove.
The route was fairly strenuous for a day hike both w/ the length and the first 3 miles which is pretty much an incline. Also something to consider for some, is the often rocky and rough conditions of these dual use trails. Peace

Bears in The Woods

The times when I'm at least trying to be at peace w/ my immediate surroundings things tend to workout. As I began this walk at Rich Mtn. trail I was believing in the positive energies I'd "walk into" along the way and things the wild world would allow me to be a part of. Heck, as you can see from the pictures w/ this entry the positive thoughts and actions were returned to me w/ each step I took.
I started from Rich Mtn. Rd. without a destination, some gorp and water, and two books. One being the lil' brown book about the trails and the other one for identifying trees. I used both.
This trail is described in the brown book as being "upside down" as in it begins dry, without a stream, proceeds up Rich Mtn. and about 2 miles into it you come to water in a stream down on the right. Soon after beginning this route I noticed a spur to the right which takes you down to a sink developing here. After 2.3 miles of forest and ferns I arrived at campsite #5, and continued on along the Indian Grave Gap Trail until it intersected w/ the loop trail. Here I decided to stop, eat some gorp and jerky, and feel the peace. I had heard what appeared to be a large mammal in the trees below me but it never showed itself maybe a third of a mile back. After I snacked and relaxed for a while I got up and proceeded back the way I'd come and quickly reminded myself of the noises I had heard in the trees a few minutes earlier. No sooner than I remembered this I saw a bear stepping out the trees onto the trail completely unaware of me 40 yards or so down the trail. I quickly snap a few shots w/ my camera, which I already had in my hand, and then said to myself "I better let this bear know I'm here". So I begin speaking in a non-threatening tone loud enough to get its attention and keep eye contact as it stops, looks up, and a few seconds later steps off the trail. It then followed the trail parallel inside the trees about 30 yards. We kept an eye on each other as we passed and I continued to speak in mellow tones keeping it up to date on where I was.
So I'm pumped about this sighting and thanking the powers that be, wondering if the pictures are going to turn out when 10 minutes later I spot another larger, "black furry creature", already on the trail walking towards me. I still had my camera in my hand so I quickly take a few pictures and let this big bear know I'm here by saying "hello Mr or Mrs bear". With that this large mammal stops, looks up at me and doesn't move, except it's head, trying to get a "wiff" of my scent it looked like. After we stare at each other for about 20 seconds or so, w/ my "conversation" continuing, I decide it would be wise for me to begin backing away and slowly waving my arms to give the appearance of being larger than I am. As I begin this that "sucka" snarls and grunts at me letting me know I have made a good decision in backing up. It stands it's ground for another 20 or 30 seconds and then turns around and heads back the way it had come, staying on the trail and going around a knob on the ridge. The bear disappeared around the bend so I stopped and began to listen for it, trying to keep it located by the sounds it may make. After a few minutes I headed up the trail, continuing to speak to my new friend. Rounding the the bend I heard it, and then saw it amongst the trees taking a route that would bypass the area we had just met in. I continued speaking so it would know where I was and avoid any surprises. The rest of the walk out was gravy! What rewards I get when trying to be "a part of" the larger wild world. Aldo Leopold was and continues to influence my beliefs in that all things are related and Steve Martin put it best for me when I'm looking at a large bear 35 yards away, "I feel really small", Peace.