Alligators And Oil Wells

This short walk took place at the Meaher State Park in Mobile, AL located on Battleship Parkway, aka the "cause-way", or hwy 90. It was a very pleasant experience being re-exposed to an area; the Gulf Coast, which I once frequented often and noting the contrast w/ the Appalachian and Cumberland mountains. I saw an alligator w/ it's snout and eyes poking above the water but was unable to locate one on land to get a clear picture. This immediate area has seen tremendous industrial growth over the last 30 years and some large chemical plants sit idle leaving huge metal monuments of mans intelligence.? Peace.

Workin'?

Hello, as you may have noticed, we will be out of the region for several weeks working in ATL. Yes "The Walker" works some. I encourage all those who've been invited to contribute in the past to "pick it up". Steve? Jake? (et.al.?) Mama Bear, tell us of your walks in Central Park or where ever you find some peace in the "far north". I'm going to try and contribute some wild life experiences from my travels and work so we can keep it fresh. Today I'm in LA; lower Alabama, for a family celebration and will be taking a short walk along the water somewhere this morning. 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

Lil' Greenbrier Trail

This 8.6 mile excursion, RT, began at the trailhead located just inside the Park border w/ Wear Cove. I followed Little Greenbrier Trail "the distance" until it connected w/ the Laurel Falls and Cove Mtn. trails which was approx. 4.3 mls. This trail gains elevation for most of the 4.3 but does so at a relatively modest and consistent incline. The only place I found water was in a spring along the trail about a mile+ past the intersection w/ Little Brier Gap Trail, or, over 3 miles into the walk. About a 1/4 mile+ before this spring, on may way in I caught up w/ a couple who had just seen a black furry creature. The lady showed me the picture. She was proud! It was great to see the excitement because it will help them appreciate the experience and could, in the future, encourage them to protect the wild life in some way.
I moved on and soon heard a large animal moving above me in the thick brush. It was a deer (doe) cruising through unaware of my presence, well unaware of my location, because it appeared to have heard or smelled me in how it kept looking in my direction and moving it's nose around trying to pick up a scent. I put a tree between her line of vision and myself so I could watch further and try and get a better photo but she stopped moving and disappeared into the scenery.
The trail continues along Chinquapin Ridge after the crossing w/ Little Brier Gap Trail and increases noticeably in the degree of incline. It also contains several great views even in the summer, as you may agree from the pictures here. Once I arrived at the turn around point I sat and drank some water, ate some gorp and and was soon joined by two individuals who arrived a few minutes apart and appeared to be going on to ascend the Cove Mtn. Trail. I gathered my stuff and returned to from where I'd come.

Rich Mtn. Loop Sunday Sept. 28th

This was a walk I'd only done once before in this form. I began @ 2pm from the Rich mtn. trail parking where Rich Mtn. rd. exits the park. This later than usual start for me was of some concern w/ the distance I would be covering and the shrinking amount of sunlight because of the seasonal changes. Being alone and familiar w/ the initial part of the route planned I was able to make really good time for the first 3mls. I spoke w/ a couple just as I began and they shared that they had seen no one since they'd got in the woods before noon, and as it worked out for me I only encountered folks around John Oliver's Cabin. None along the trails that made up the 11 mile+ loop.
As I passed campsite #5, I stayed to the right and continued along the .8, of Indian Grave Gap trl., to the Rich Mtn. Loop trl., down the mountain along Cave Ridge, and a resting point at John Oliver's place. I took a few pictures, re-tied my boots and walked through some very pretty forest to Crooked Arm Ridge trl.
Water was available near the bottom of the Rich Mtn. Loop trl., and I refilled again just past Crooked Arm Falls. After this water was not scene.
The trails were hiker friendly accept at the lower elevations around the Cove, due to heavy horse and pedestrian traffic exposing rocks and causing some erosion.
I was reminded of false peaks w/ the climb up Crooked Arm Ridge. After I quit telling myself "I think I'm almost at the top" and gave more attention to the sun and the shadows; and my watch, I noticed more birds, squirrels, lizards, and the still bright Aster's blooming in numerous colors. It was a challenging walk in the sense of getting it started and staying on schedule, because even though I had a flashlight in my daypack, and I was familiar w/ the last 2 mls. from #5, to the parking area, I like to night hike w/ other folks. As it was I came out of the woods onto Rich Mtn. rd., at 7:15pm. I was very grateful for the time and experience of that day.

Mount LeConte

Hello fellow wild life enthusiast! This excursion could be a model; minus the weather, for many trips yet to happen via Southern Appalachian Excursions. My friend the "Lady Beth", had taken the initiative for her group, which eventually included me, and made reservations at the LeConte Lodge. This was going to be a busy weekend in the park W/ the 75th reunion of the Civilian Conservation Corp, going on at and around, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, w/ some other large celebrations of the history and culture of this region happening in Townsend.
Our excursion started from the Alum Cave trailhead parking and consisted of 8 folks, 7 of which had little or no recent hiking experience. This included active smokers, a woman recovering from recent foot surgery, another walker whom had a "bad knee", and an earnest desire from all to enjoy the day and learn.
The weather was overcast and wet w/ occasional sprinkles as we proceeded up the trail. Alum Cave Creek had water though of course was at low levels w/ the current drought. The seep near the top was moist w/ lots of small streams of water running through and off the rocks covered in the greens from mosses and plants.
Our walk up was done so at a leisurely pace and the trail was not very crowded. As we gained in elevation we also got more enclosed by clouds, fog, and moisture which seem to just be "free floating" w/ the moisture content in the air so high. Temperatures were probably in the low 70's w/ it feeling at times somewhat cooler combining the rain and wind once at the top. Along the walk above the cave and "Gracie's Pulpit"; where we stopped for "lunch", there was frequent bear scat but we had no visuals. Once at the top we got ourselves some coffee and/or hot chocolate and settled into our surroundings we were to enjoy for the next 18 hours. Some of us walked to "High Tops", and those who did so walked for the experience and appreciation of being on LeConte. Though obviously w/ the weather vistas were not happening. A seasonal Ranger, Mr Danny Thomas, yes the one from Morristown, made a very informative presentation on bears in the park and answered some questions. "Ranger Dan" also led a presentation after dinner on the history of Mt. LeConte and the establishment of the GSMNP. Equally as informative. The folks from the LeConte Shelter also joined us for the second presentation.
Saturday we started "stirring" before 7am, we had a bunch of coffee, a nice breakfast, and then several of us walked up and over to Myrtle Point. Along the way I listened to bitches and moans about the distance, inclines, declines, etc...etc..., and a large smile slowly grew across my face as we approached the point and and the cloud ceiling lowered to the east providing bright sun and a section of "bluer than blue skies", w/ a view from above the clouds. All were happy for coming along. I hope to post some of the pictures my friends took at the point and throughout the excursion. We returned to the lodge to PU our stuff and begin our walk down the Alum Cave Trail.
The "Lady Beth", who initiated this excursion, asked about other ways to access LeConte. After I described the various routes she decided she was going to do it again next year yet come via the AT and the Boulevard Trail. I look forward to great friends and fun to be shared again. Peace
("M. Coenen" took the picture from "above the ceiling" @ Myrtle Point)

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