Deep Creek in the GSMNP

Hello, and what a weekend!  "The Mysterious One", and I met over on the NC side of the GSMNP, in order to hike up the Deep Creek Trail and vicinity from campsite #56.  Now this was the first time for me to hike this trail and I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of people once past the tubing area popular at the trailhead.
The section of the Deep Creek Trail we backpacked and which is described here is accessible from Bryson City NC.  This trail is moderate for the most part with a few imposing inclines within the first 7 miles.  It meanders along side the Deep Creek; basically a small river in most spots, with a few wet springs coming off the mountainside which could pose a slippery challenge during the wet seasons.
The wonderful thing I thought, was the lack of overnight campers at any of the campsites we passed in the cluster of sites stretched over a few miles before we came to #56.  The first thing for us to do after we arrived at the site was to drop the packs, survey the area and get in the creek!!
Dudes and Dudettes! There was an excellent flow of water in Deep Creek near the campsite with spots deep enough to fully submerge oneself without difficulty!  This creek must be really hooked up with excellent water sources feeding it.  As I was enjoying the cool water I remarked that this is a hikers dream to find a big flowing stream this close to a campsite after a hot sweaty hike.  How many times I have wished for even a small a water hole as the sweat dries to my body.
The only big wildlife I saw was a deer crossing the trail just before we got back into the masses at the trailhead on Sunday afternoon.

This trail provides access to numerous other trails with day, and overnight loops available from it.  The lengths and difficulty of the various routes off the Deep Creek Trail are enhanced with access to a second vehicle or shuttle.  

A Deer enjoying a casual walk along the Laurel Falls trail

This deer was just trying to eat along the Laurel Falls trail on Sunday.  Many of the visitors to the trail do not see anything but the waterfall, however today a young man in his teens shared that this was the first time he had ever seen a deer in the wild. 
A few weeks ago a man shared that he had seen a bear up beyond the falls for the first time outside a confined environment, a zoo or something similar.  This man and his hiking partner were probably in their 50's+, and he said they had hiked a lot over the years in the mid-west but had never had the opportunity to share a moment with a black bear in the wild. He thanked me for suggesting they walk beyond the falls. 
Thank you for making me a part of that moment.

"I'mm Baaack......"

On Friday August 5th, officials at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced the temporary closure of the Ramsey Cascades Trail due to a damaged foot log caused by a fallen tree that is blocking access along the route. The foot log spans a section of Ramsey Prong which is too swift and deep to allow hikers to safely rock-hop across river. The popular, four-mile trail is located in the Greenbrier section of the park.

For more information on road and trail closures, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm.

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Great Smokey Mountains National Park and Alternative Fuels

Wednesday, September 30, Alternative Fuels Celebration

Join Superintendent Cash at Oconaluftee at 9:30 a.m. or Sugarlands at 1:30 p.m. for two ribbon-cutting ceremonies to unveil new pieces of alternative fuel equipment.  Propane mowers, neighborhood electric vehicles, and new charging stations will be available for viewing along with a fast-charge demonstration with a Nissan Leaf vehicle and a Tesla Model S vehicle. The Smokies are the first unit in the National Park Service to install and operate public DC fast-charging stations.

The AT July 17, 2015, day 4

This section of the AT was fairly moderate as far as difficulty is concerned for the healthy experienced hiker.  Water was available throughout the 4 days of hiking this section of the AT, and I was reminded of my lack of water by my inaction on previous occasions to top-off those containers when I have any questions about my needs. 
The sign below was just after the handicap accessible part of the trial on TN 91, as we entered a big open field and our final 6.5mls to our vehicle.

 The trail was moderate in most respects for the prepared hiker, with enough incline to keep you focused on the moment and blessed with some great scenery.

Wow, another awesomely rewarding excursion on the AT!

Third Day on the AT 2015

The small fire we had built burnt itself out as we relaxed in the tent and got some restful sleep. Upon awakening we had some coffee, and breakfast foods. I hung the tent, rain-fly and ground-cloth as soon as we had our stuff out of it so while we were eating and packing other things it would dry further. Thus losing some weight and preventing mildew and odors from the tent being stuffed in a pack damp from the nights dew and the previous rains.
Our hike began with the climb from the camping site up to the AT, and then continued north. All the other hikers were gone from the shelter and overflow area.
Eight miles into this days walk we got to see this monument at the gravesite for Mr. Nick Grindstaff (1851-1923). Described as a hermit, Nick lived on Iron Mtn. with his dog named "Panter", his cow, and a "pet" rattlesnake in a small cabin near where this monument is built. It's said that when his friend Baxter McEwen, stopped by his shack to check in on him and found him dead that old Nick's dog had to be restrained before they could remove his body.  From what I can determine from what I have read this monument is atop his gravesite.

Seems that was a loyal old dog which was later buried  beside Mr. Grindstaff, when it died.
His epitaph read, "He lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone", and it should be added that he was well liked by those who new him.  

Watauga Lake and the Iron Mountain Ridge. The 2nd Day on the AT 2015

The second day began with clouds and fog and lots of moisture in the air. Our gear stayed dry for the most part by covering it before sleeping with the potential of rain. Most anytime I go hiking for more than about 4 mls in the Southern Appalachian mountains I bring some raingear. We also hung some stuff out to dry before we started this days walk.

Had we been farther into the day or had we been out for a few days at this point we would likely have stopped just a few miles into this days hike at the Shook Branch Recreation Area; located on Watauga Lake, with bathrooms, picnic tables and a swimming area, it would make a great stop for a bath/swim and to clean your pack etc... Even early into this days hike it looked quite inviting.

Just past this area we crossed over the dam entered into a beautiful forest with the lake to our right and a steady climb up along the side of Iron Mountain.

This section of the AT, from US 321 to Wilbur Dam Rd. (approx. 4 miles), which includes the Watauga Lake Shelter, is to be used for hiking only until December of 2015, due to bear activity. Follow this link to our friends at the ATC for more details: There was plenty of water along the way and any time I was running low it was because I was trying to keep up with The Mysterious One, or was to lazy to take off my pack and refill my nalgenes. Our intentions were to utilize the shelters as we could but there was a "church affiliated backpacking event" of some sort happening on this section of the AT, and the second and third nights out the shelters were full and overflowing so we utilized the tent all three nights out. This was fine as we had time to hang dry the tent to rid it of any moisture it collected and after that first nights downpours there was no precipitation of any consequence. This section of trail was dotted with; as was much of the four days, rhododendron in bloom as well as other native flowering plants.

When I arrived near the Vandeventer Shelter and found it full, The Mysterious One had already located the water source and a campsite off the trail and down a steep spur towards the water, which was down even farther from this campsite on a steep spur. I'd say from the shelter to the water was like a quarter mile+-. Getting to it is easy with gravity pulling you down the steep, sometimes tricky stepping trail. However the return trip up the steep mountainside could be unpleasant after a long days hike so I'd suggest you bring all your water containers with you as this is not a chore you'll want to do frequently while camping at the Vandeventer Shelter. We set up camp, got a small fire going and enjoyed the moments. This day on the AT was moderate to difficult, depending on your condition and preparation, with a over 12 mls hiked and an elevation gain of more than 2000'.