Another Year Begins on The Trail

This excursion took place on Saturday August 30th, w/ the beginning of "new years", of different sorts, amongst friends and new friends, along the trail today. A hot humid day to share gratitude for the things in the wild life, and also a time to share plans and ideas for our part in conserving it.
Our walk began out of the Cades Cove picnic area which was busy w/ folks enjoying their version of the outdoors and it was great to see this. Hopefully they'll educate themselves on the republican candidates environmental past, and his vp nominee, and her affiliation w/ big oil and her Dismal environmental record. If they enjoy these places.
After we passed the horse camp at the beginning of the Anthony Creek trail we followed it the 3.5 miles up to Bote Mtn. trail. An important new friend was made along the way about a mile and half into the walk when we met Beth who was coming down from the AT after meeting her friends at Spence Field the day before. She spoke of all the bear sightings she had heard of that morning and the one she'd seen as well (Our group had reached the trailhead around 11:30am). She also shared w/ us some information of a website posted by a group she's a part of, I've since reviewed, and we'll post a link to after we clear it w/ them.
After speaking for a while and exchanging some information we parted and began the ascent of the current trail up to Bote Mtn. We made exceptional time in the first part of this excursion, which eventually totaled approx. 14 mls., as "the mysterious one" lead w/ a strong and consistent pace. Once we reached the AT via the Bote Mtn. trail we went over to the Spence Field shelter and ate some lunch; delicious wraps purchased from Jamie at 'Thunderhead Perk' in Townsend (see the links on this page). While here we spoke w/ several folks who were sectional hikers, another two who were out for the weekend, one of which had hiked a large portion of the AT, and several others scattered around the vicinity of the shelter. There was a small flow of water from the source here.
Well, as we finished our lunch and the "overnighters" began to disperse for their next stop we picked up a our garbage and gear and continued. This relatively easy 2.9 ml., section of the AT was pretty awesome w/ balds, trees, birds, flowers, and a readiness for bears. This readiness was on account of the fact that the recent bear activity in this region of the park has been noted and the Russel Field shelter; our next destination, was closed because of "aggressive activity". As was campsite #10, which we would be passing through along our descent from the AT after turning off at Russel Field. We heard on two occasions, what appeared to be large animals close by, in thick cover. The first as we approached Russel Field and then along the descent from the AT on Russel Field trail. Along this trail, probably 200 yards down on the left (just past the formal source) from the shelter we found a big puddle of water flowing, slowly, which I got water from.
This area was open under the canopy in most places as we walked this trail and were both delighted and saddened as we noticed the Huge Hemlocks destroyed by the woolly algid. Some great trees fallen while others still stand in skeleton form building mounds of mulch around the trunks as the bark peels from them. Mixed within this forest were some huge oaks as well. Portions of forest along this trail are considered part an "old- growth forest". Note that does not mean virgin forest. This trail intersects back w/ the Anthony Creek Trail, after a 3.5 mile fairly easy walk from where it began. A person on these trails will want to wear some hiking boots w/ good soles because of the rough nature of these trails due to horses and to a much lessor extent, hiker volume. Lots of rocks. Hey, we also picked up various pieces of plastic waste including empty retail water bottles. A great day w/ friends. 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.

And Then It Rained...some more

Hello, Yea! It's raining some more again today!! It started around noon and has varied in intensity but is falling steady. Rock On! We've had about 2" of rain over the last 2 days. And it was a soaking rain which helps some w/ this years below average rainfall.
I went for a walk this morning for several miles (4+) before the rain. From West Prong Trailhead at Tremont up, around, and down to #18. The creek at #18 was running a bit stronger w/ the recent rains and the spring which crosses the trail just before you reach this site, coming from Tremont was strong as well. On the return I took the unmarked trail which is just about halfway, and at the approximate high point of this walk (approx. 2000'). It's a really cool change and makes the walk a "spoon" shaped route instead of a RT on all the same trail.

Campsite #18, via Bote Mtn. Trail

Today,(8/23/08), we have a VP on the Democratic ticket and I hiked for about 4.5 miles in the GSMNP. I started the morning w/ big plans and found I was unintentionally delaying my start through repeated evaluations and second guessing. So finally I got my stuff and went to the Post Office to mail a letter to the editor. W/ this done I was on my way to the park entrance and went right at the Townsend 'Y', to "force" the issue for myself and decide the route for the day. I chose the the Bote Mtn. trailhead which begins approx. 3.5 miles in from the 'Y', w/ a parking area at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead on the right. The Bote Mtn. trail is about 250 yards back and across the street. This trail was described on another day in an entry from 7/7/08, of a walk on June 25th. I found the route similar to that day minus the "creature sighting", and add dust from the lack of rain. After the 1.2 mile climb and intersection w/ the end of the West Prong trail I went left on that trail and to campsite #18, which was like only a half a mile or so. I've walked through this site a few times but this time having no agenda, I stopped and looked around. What a great campsite! The water was still running well in the West Prong, which separates the tent sites at this campsite and the folks who have "adopted" this site for upkeep had apparently been here recently w/ signs of cleaned fire pits and grounds. Thank you for your help. The sites are spread apart giving lots of privacy w/ each having a fire ring, easy water if the West Prong is running, and pulleys for the packs etc... . This site, #18, is easily accessible from the West Prong trailhead parking at Tremont as well and both routes appear to be about the same distance, approx. 2mls.
While I was at #18, I walked to each camping area and really liked 'A', and 'C', for the distance from the main trail, and other reasons like this "large puddle" of moving water, one of several at #18, which flowed just beyond 'A'. Come walk w/ us and you can decide for yourself.
I followed a trail up the creek from site 'C', which appeared to be along an old road; or railway from the logging years, and also an area which looked like it once had a building(s) of some sort on it. Actually I noted a couple of spots where this looked to be the case so I'll ask about it when I'm volunteering next week at the visitor center. Really a nice hike complete w/ Cardinal Flowers, and big trees. Peace

Middle Prong

This day hike began around 9:30am at the Middle Prong Trailhead up the gravel road from The Institute at Tremont. The trail is an easy to moderate incline for the length I took it, 4 miles one way up to the falls, just before the Lynn Camp Prong Trail, and an easy 4 mile return. I say easy though good footwear should be worn on this trail because it is rough on the surface w/ rocks and gravel from the heavy travel and horses. This trail follows the old railroad route used for hauling supplies in and cut trees out during the time of the Little River Lumber Company. The last timber cut after the Park was established came out along the rails that once snaked through here.
I saw the old Cadillac parked here for the last time about 2 miles in (see the "lil' brown book" for more details). Mr. Ralph Hayes, whom I'd met while walking this trail soon after I moved here had first told me of this car and we looked for it some that day but didn't go far enough. Well Ralph, I found it.
Among other things to note along this moderate hike were the spots where houses and other structures once stood and where bridges crossed the prong. Theses bridges left evidence w/ steel cables and rock foundations. Along the way you'll see large rocks, small waterfalls, flowers, and assorted trees to enjoy as you walk. I saw deer, fish, bugs and birds. Lynn Camp Falls can be found at approx. 4 miles. These are really pretty and not traveled nearly as much as others do to the distance and they are not on the park issue trail map. They are found down a narrow spur to the right. I use the word "falls" in the plural because it is a cascading fall w/ at least three levels. This is a nice route to access the AT or just a RT dayhike. In the approach before the falls the trail begins to get steeper, and from past experience on this trail that grade increase continues pretty much until the AT. Peace

Out on The Farm, August 16-19th

'Hidden Springs', is the farm I was on and again I met more really interesting people. Portions of Hector and Susie's family, large parts of it, were in town visiting so the dinners were large events w/ folks from at least two Provinces of Canada, and several states. On one evening there were around 30 people eating w/ the fresh foods being prepared by family members throughout the day. The number of folks participating was not always that big but the foods were fixed w/ combined efforts and love. I returned to Townsend on Tuesday afternoon but had the opportunity to sample; several times, an awesome homemade desert. A "brownie" of some sort I'll call it, yet this thing rivaled the best energy bar I've ever read the nutrition content on and that has been a "few". Dude, they had chocolate, nuts of assorted types and fruits and berry's from the garden of various flavors. I think it had oats or some cereal in it as well. I do not have a complete list of the ingredients so maybe if Eric; a current "migrant worker", (ha,ha,humour), reads this he could clarify the ingredients for us in the comment section. If not I'll ask next week when I go back up for a few days.

Several of us including Alexis and Eric got out for a slow walk into the falls, up, over, and around, then back down. While on top of the falls we followed the stream, which feeds the cascade in this picture, about a quarter mile up stream and it was strong despite the lack of rain over the last few weeks. Further action was taken in discussion w/ Hector towards protecting the falls area. It is early in the process and as Hector so calmly states, "so much work to be done yet". This, I believe, was referring to the berry's on the bush and the work remaining to complete the harvest. Peace

The Plateau

Wow, what a wonderful description Meg the Hiker gave of our first experience w/ Hector, his wife Susie, and their place on the Cumberland Plateau. Hector is what I wanna be when I grow up! I saw and experienced a man of love and focus in his direct efforts both within the local community and in our larger society. As Meg noted a recurring statement made by Hector was "so much work to be done". This was heard again after Meg, Sydney, and I returned from our walk to the falls and pinnacle, and I inquired about protecting this land from development. He said, as well, that he was very interested in doing so and he had previously been in contact w/ an assisting agency that he could not recall the title of. A few days later while speaking w/ a conservation organization which is involved in assisting in the protection of these lands on the plateau, they spoke specifically of this gorge, of which Hidden Springs is a part, without any knowledge from me about the area on the plateau that I was inquiring about. Some of this gorge has already obtained protective status w/ the help of concerned local landowners and cooperating organizations. When I returned to Hidden springs the following week I brought up some information for Hector and Susie to review for obtaining conservation easement status for these falls and the immediate surrounding area. He said he would check it out and consider taking steps to communicate w/ the neighbor who shares a small part of the particular area. This neighbor also shares an interest in keeping the land as is. That was two weeks ago and I'll be returning very soon to finish the blueberry harvest and anything else I can contribute for my room and board. These pictures in no way express the full size and beauty of this gorge nor the need for protecting it. Peace