Cades Cove....on a beautiful January morning.

Wow! Dudes and Dudettes!! I usually have an aversion to using Cades Cove for any reason other than to access trailheads for hiking and backpacking. However this morning as I was driving into the park to do some hiking it came to me that this would be a good day to go into the Cove and check it out. Being that it is one of few times in the year when visitor numbers are low, it's Monday, which is usually the lightest day of the week of any season, and it was early.

After immediately running into a small "traffic jam", caused by some grazing male deer, things went smoothly. Damn, I am glad I don't do this route in the summer!
There are numerous turn outs to let people pass which I used a few times. I also got out and walked a few times enjoying the beautiful views, cool air while in the fields and around some of the maintained homesteads.
I'd encourage anyone who can, to enjoy the beautiful views and history of Cades Cove, during this time of the year. Before the schools begin going to spring breaks and then again before schools break for the summer.
I really enjoyed this time in Cades Cove, and not being in a hurry to get some where I got to pay  closer attention to the terrain and the road. 

Rich Mountain Trail Jan. 1st and 2nd/2019

With the park being closed officially, many folks were still visiting the Great Smoky Mountains NP, over their holidays. As I pulled into the parking area were the Ace Gap trail begins and Rich Mtn road comes out of the park from Cades Cove, I was surprised to see a bunch of vehicles parked wherever they could given the few actual spots available.
And there were even more when I returned from hiking the Rich Mtn. trail up to and beyond campsite #5.

The trail was slippery in places with a few muddy spots that made for potentially messy falls if one was not careful. At times I used the narrow but more solid sides of the trail in order to skirt around the muddy spots. These spots were hidden under the leaves and would quickly swallow shoes that were not waterproof and did not cover over the ankles. I know because the times I stepped into these spots my bad ass boots were very much appreciated as they were sucked into the mud under the leaves.
I saw and heard birds, some squirrels and no large wildlife. Though both days there was "evidence" of their recent presence.
This route should be considered difficult for the novice, though is doable if done slowly with the awareness of ones current physical condition.
On my return down the trail yesterday I went off of it to see if there were still remnants of a man-made shelter that I had seen a year or so ago. This site located about 35 yards off the trail down a steep ravine; which I spotted when trekking off the grid, and was located under a rock shelf. Under this ledge was  a large piece of polyurethane that could have been an improvised footprint for a large tent or a wall as a "fourth wall".  The day I stumbled upon this I made the note to myself that I should tell folks in trail maintenance, which I did, and/or come back and pick it up myself.
Yesterday I saw that the plastic was still there and so today I went back up and collected the now fragmenting plastic into a bag and carried it out. This plastic was breaking into small pieces as I was picking it up which was just above a "living" water source.
It does matter what we throw out, leave or ignore.

Hiking in the GSMNP during the president's Government shutdown

Wow! I have had the opportunity to hike a few times in the Great Smoky Mountains NP, since this mindless government shutdown and have been surprised how many people are there! Mostly Christmas traffic it appears with folks just driving around and through the park.

On the 24th, I went otg near the Middle Prong trail and enjoyed the quiet noise of the streams.
Today the 27th, "The Mysterious One", and I walked up the Lumber Ridge trail for a couple of miles in sometimes extremely strong winds when on the exposed side of the mountain or near passes.  Much of the road system in the park was closed throughout the day due to downed trees.


Hopefully the federal employees all across the country and elsewhere will be back to work soon.

Park's across the country are officially closed

The following is the federal government/Department of Interior's shutdown policy. www.doi.gov/shutdown

Though the roads, weather permitting, in the GSMNP are open all visitor centers and bathrooms are closed.

Snow in the Smokies

Well it is snowing above 3000', and has pretty much shutdown the GSMNP, with a heavy wet snow. Follow this link to get the latest information on travel through the park. Which is pretty much not happening.
https://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps

Little River Trail via Abrams Creek Campground

Wow Dudes and Dudettes! what an awesome day for a walk in the woods. With temperatures in the lower 50's, blue skies, and a slight breeze this walk had only one drawback...it wasn't long enough!
It began along the side of Abram's Creek from where the gate crosses the road with the campground closed for the winter.  I continued through the campground up the Cooper Road trail to the Little River trail, where backcountry site #1 sits. The Cooper Road trail up 'til this point is primarily just that, an old narrow country road with a few shallow stream crossings. 
Once on the Little River trail I covered about a mile with much of the time down the steep slope which drops off the trail into Abram's creek, just checking out some of the shoreline.
Often I'll be hiking and think "hmm?, I wonder what's up there or around that bend", off the trail?
And tell myself  I'll need to go off the trail one day and see. Which doesn't always happen. So today when I had  the thought, and being fairly familiar with the area, I just did it.
The Little River trail continues on to backcountry site #17, which I have stayed at a few times and eventually it continues to Cades Cove, with other trail intersections along the way providing options.
The number of visitors at this end of the park relatively light.

Now the foot bridge that was washed out a few years ago at the beginning of the Rabbit Creek Trail, down here at Abram's Creek, is still out so if you choose that trail prepare to cross the creek with your boots off and a stick for balance as the water levels reach your knees and hips depending on where you choose to cross and your size.

Today is Tuesday 12/4/18 and Hwy 411, between Gatlinburg to Cherokee NC is closed again.

US Hwy 441/Newfound Gap Road from Gatlinburg, TN to Cherokee, NC is temporarily closed due to snow/ice.