OTG and loving it!

Wow dudes and dudettes!! What an awesome walk I took this morning. I walked into an area OTG that I've hiked into before however I followed a route that took me in another mile or so farther than before and provided plenty of challenges. With much of the seasonal foliage gone it was fairly easy to keep up with where I was and where I wanted to go. This route is not difficult in the sense that you may get lost because if you think you are all you have to do is follow the stream out to the parking area. Though it can be difficult navigating through some rodo hells and several "rock hops" that would not be suggested for the novice. Well, maybe some day we can continue this walk together. Peace

OTG

Dudes! and dudettes! What a relaxing walk today for about 4 mls, in and out, otg, near the Middle Prong. It was very pleasant with a cool morning temp, sunshine, and only animals to be heard. There were yellow and white flowers blooming, with the many shades of green still going on. My thoughts were more positive and open to the changes which must be considered. The changes in the trails I chose required some attention so as to stay on the chosen path. Peace

Walking with The Mysterious One

The sky was pretty much overcast, temps in the low 70's maybe, with the walk quiet except for the birds and sounds of water sliding through the rocks of the several streams we crossed and traveled beside. This path OTG continues to receive more traffic, to a point, from folks fishing and some of the lucky ones who just know of the route. We were among the lucky ones today who enjoyed the shades of green cast amongst the different plants in this forest. How many more beautiful places have been destroyed via MTR? Hmmm?

Rich Mountain then OTG

This is a route which I tried last year about this time I think and today was as challenging as I recalled, and more. I started at the Rich Mtn. trailhead and climbed this strenuous route at healthy clip stopping once to lose a layer early into the climb and another short pause to take some pictures. The OTG section takes one down into a deep and steep drainage off of Rich Mtn trail about a 1/2 mile from the top. As the stream grows and the drainage widens becoming a hollow it is possible to follow closer to the stream, which I did not always do. Doing this you may avoid some of the very steep grades however in doing so you have some rock hopping and rodo's to deal with.

This is some beautiful forest! Trillium was blooming and there are numerous waterfalls some bigger than others. For instance the one in the photo is probably 15' cascading over and down the face of a boulder while others were not as big, though as pleasing to the senses. This stream parallels Rich Mtn. trail for part of the way and also the route taken into and over the Rich Mtn. Gap pass into Cades Cove.

Walking With Friends OTG

Dudes! and Dudettes! what a cool walk with friends today on some unmarked trails away from the masses. Long Mark, Dr J, Country, and myself enjoyed blue skies, the moderating temperatures and being outside. Country also noted some of the geological formations and shapes (rocks and boulders) and the delicate tectonic forces which helped create them. It was a very enjoyable day and a good time to visit this area OTG, because in 2 months it'll be getting thick with spring growth and new plant life. Making travel more challenging.

Light Snow OTG

There was a light snow last night and it made for a beautiful walk OTG today! I sat on a rock after hiking in about 1.5 mls and enjoyed the quiet noise provided by the full stream slipping by beside me.

...and Check Out the Small Stuff

I saw these small parts of the larger view today bushwhacking off the West Prong trail. An area which someone had told me about a few months ago and today I checked out a part of the route.

Time and weather permitting I will try and see more of this area soon.

New Trail For a New Friend

Hello! This awesome walk OTG took me and a new friend into the recent snow that has been falling for several days. Depending on what elevation you may have been at or seeing. Ha, "seeing", much of the GSMNP and surrounding areas has been covered in a thick, low, bundle of grey clouds for several days through this morning! Our short walk was into quiet white snow where no one had been for several days as the snow was untouched. Aaaah...

These ain't Crop Circles in the Smokies

These oval shaped formations were spotted OTG on the side of the rock and were obviously left by alien life forms.
Today was great day for a walk OTG and avoiding all the folks along the park roads and easy trails taking pictures of the fall colors. Much of the foliage may be cut in it's peak as these heavy rains and strong winds blow through tonight. There was a tornado warning for the GSMNP/Townsend area earlier tonight and it is still raining hard at this time (11:18 pm EST). I may get up early and go for a walk, while the seasonal visitors are still in their RV's drinking coffee, and enjoy the quiet of the full streams.

Some Spring Pictures

These pictures were taken over the last week along West Prong trail, GSMNP, and some OTG sites in the GSMNP. Enjoy.

Thunderhead

This hike OTG gets better every time I take it a little further! I've been checking information on this section of the GSMNP, talking w/ folks who hiked this area and know better than I, and reading what I can find to prepare for some serious bushwacking up to the top of Thunderhead. Today I walked about 1/4 mile+ past where I usually turn around, and while the traveling soon got thick, steep and slow, from what I'm learning the "fun" hasn't even started at this point. Awesome streams w/ slick crossings, unavoidable rodo hells, steep terrain, w/ indicators of lots of wildlife in the area and I can't wait to get back. In a few weeks this will be complete with thicker foliage, stinging bugs, snakes, hungry bears, and beautiful blooms.
On the return just before I broke out of the rodo's, I spotted some chunks of coal lying in the old rail/road bed I was using to navigate, then when deciding where to cross the prong I saw the rock with "eyes". (See the picture)




And the rain held off minus a few sprinkles until after I got home!
The temperature was in the 50's, w/ dense humidity, and mostly cloudy above.
As I walked today I briefly considered those people who are unable to appreciate the many parts of such raw beauty. Blocked by spite and/or the pursuit for more stuff in an attempt at gaining a sense of well-being from this "stuff" despite the consequences of this endless pursuit on themselves, neighbors or natural systems. I was very grateful. Peace

Back In The Woods Again!

Hello happy hikers! Ok, I'm at least happy myself because I got back in the forest today for a short 3 mile excursion to begin my "detox" from working in the city for the last few months. Uuuuggh!! This walk OTG was extremly quiet due to the snow which still covered the trail most of the way. The temperature was around freezing with bright sun and little wind where I was walking. Heard reports of early morning temps around Cades Cove in the teens. I'm looking forward to enjoying the trails as the winter continues to wander on and local hikers are the only folks along them, making for frequent solitude. My stress levels have noticeably dropped since walking and so I think I better do it again tomorrow. Haaaaaa! 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.

Alone OTG Sunday 19th

My what a release from negative emotions! A 3 mile RT hike OTG including a quick dip in the water! This short walk and action changed my perception and attitude completely! Have you ever been out on a trail and began to "feel really small" because of a remarkable cloud, cliff, or waterfall? Or perhaps a close encounter w/ a bear when your alone and off the main path? Well this was about the "aloneness" OTG and feeling what I needed to feel. Really powerless. Peace

April Flowers

The blooms have begun in the Smokies! I only know the names of a few though the pictures here will give you a very small glimpse of the already awesome beauty that's being enhanced by the spring flowers. These were taken along my walk today OTG. I went back in almost as far as I did the first time; which I did without a clue as to where I was headed (end of July, '07), and I was grateful I made it out of here then, after seeing the route again today. There is still relatively little undergrowth at this time and It was rockin' w/ full streams, blooms everywhere in multitudes, and the only folks I encountered were walking out about a mile into the walk. There were five stream crossings and I turned around at the sixth. Three of these require some agility and balance. This route follows an old railroad path from the logging that took place here before the park was established.
To do my part in protecting an area from too much traffic I will not give the location of this hike on this site. Though I will type this....Join me next time and experience the appreciation. Peace.

Afternoon Stroll OTG

Today was another great day for an afternoon walk. Weather in the mountains was probably in the mid to upper 50's, clear skies, streams full of water! I was getting into a "bad spot" mentally from thinking and pondering about life events too much so I went out for a 3+ mile stroll OTG. The only folks I passed were at the beginning of this peaceful route along this noisy prong seen in the picture here.
Despite any concerns I may be having this walk takes them away completely...for a little while, and after doing this these concerns are not as strong as they once seemed. Trying to figure out the best "rock hopping" path over a full stream or paying attention to wild life around me as I enter an area of forest that is not frequented by the novice hiker distracts me from the "human-made reality" which surrounds me. Jobs, school, cars, war, mediocrity...Yes! give me more....time for solitude. Peace

Sunday Off The Beaten Path

This short walk is another trail off the grid (OTG) which cannot be described in full otherwise it would be traveled much more than it is currently. Well, that's pretty presumptuous on my part actually, as it's not like this is the most read info blog. Yet. Still can't tell ya' over the internet! You'll have to Come see us!
This route was not planned and I covered an area I had not scene since last year when I mistakenly located this trail, OTG. I've taken a few folks into this area and others around it though I don't believe any have gotten this "up close". That's because of thick undergrowth deterring us sometimes and water levels which prevent persons who are not skilled "rock hoppers" from moving on beyond some streams and into this particular "holler". During this dry season and current drought this challenge is eliminated.
I saw a large non-venomous snake, while rock hopping my second stream which met the description of a 'Black Racer'. I gotta picture of it if you want to see. This picture of the pool of water above does not describe this scene adequately. The boulders are like the size of small cars and the pool of water even as dry as it is, was still flowing and deep enough to submerge ones body. There were several others of varying sizes and depths along this walk. Like this one below hidden on three sides by boulders and still 2 feet deep during this drought. Man! I give lots of thanks and have a lot of gratitude for this part of my life. I encourage all who have had some appreciation for the wild life to call, write, visit, and disturb your elected and non-elected officials who have a large role in what is protected and where another chain drug store etc...is built. Peace

I'll Never Tell...

I'll never tell on the Internet anyway! "Dudes and Dudettes", what an awesome walk this was (Saturday 9/20/08), Lots of quiet, rocks and cliffs, bears, blooming flowers, and unmarked, but maintained, trails still yet to explore. If you wanna know more you'll have to ask in person.
Oh! James The Walker will be meeting w/ Rep. John Duncan(R) Dist 2, on Monday 9/22/08, asking for the representatives support of HR 2169, (AKA The Clean Water Protection Act). This bill, if passed would help end Mountaintop Removal as a form of coal mining (Please click on the ilovemountains.org link on the right side of the page here if your not familiar w/ this practice). Keep the walker in your positive thoughts and call your congressional representatives soon. The numbers are provided at the bottom of this page.
Peace

The Mysterious One Off The Grid

Cool Beans! The "Mysterious Hiker" was spotted off the grid today in this picture....I think, and rumor has it she may be around w/ friends tomorrow.
Today was a warm moist day along one of them streams I followed OTG. The boar traps remain unused along the trail as they were last time I walked this route and there was sign of what appears, to this novice, to be recent scraping/digging made by boar. The streams I crossed and followed were all strong w/ the recent rain. Cardinal flowers and other assorted small wildflower were frequent along the walk w/ purple and white blooms among the colors.

Just The Other Day...3/29

This entry is short due to the nature of where we were walking. This beautiful route is "unmarked" for the most part, though it is chosen by the confused at the trail head. The trail on the maps is not clearly marked in the woods so folks, like the backpackers we ran into just before the second stream crossing; which required some technical rock hopping, choose it until they notice the diminishing trail and lack of similarities w/ their trail map. They told us they could not tell from the trail sign which way to go so chose the route less traveled. I will ask my friends at the Park if anyone has thought of placing a clearer marker for the "proper" trail. Not that I'm trying to keep the other route "less traveled", oh yea right! Enjoy the Peace while you walk.