Hurricane Florence in the Smokies?!

This just in.....(Friday afternoon)….

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials continue preparations for Hurricane Florence and have announced road and facility closures beginning Saturday, September 15. 
Predictions from the National Weather Service indicate Florence will be a tropical depression rated-storm when she reaches the Smokies beginning as early as Saturday evening.  Officials anticipate sustained winds of 40 mph with higher gusts Saturday afternoon and into Monday, with the most severe weather predicted for Sunday.  
Rainfall amounts of 4-8 inches Saturday afternoon through Monday evening are estimated, with higher rainfall amounts possible for the North Carolina side of the park.  Due to the potential for hazardous conditions due to downed trees, flooding, and landslides the following closures will be put into effect out of concern for public safety.

Overnight backcountry use is not recommended beginning Saturday through Monday due to the potential threat of downed trees and flooded stream crossings causing rivers and trails to become hazardous.  
All backcountry reservation holders are encouraged to change their itinerary or cancel their permit and receive a refund.  Refunds will be available to those who are unable to reschedule their trip for an alternative date.
Following the storm, roads, campgrounds and facilities will be reopened as quickly as possible once they are passable and safety assessments have been made. 
For up-to-date information about roads and trail closures, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm, follow the park on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GreatSmokyMountainsNPS, or follow “SmokiesRoadsNPS” on Twitter. 

Rich Mtn Trail today

With rain likely, air temps in the 70's, and extreme humidity I hiked this trail via Townsend, my usual route for this day hike. It was mid afternoon and with the pace I kept most of the way and the heat index I was soaked in sweat! A good cardio work-out, which was needed.

Well I was hoping to like see five or ten bears (lol), posing for me as they gathered food but that didn't happen. I'll give them another few weeks. However I got to appreciate some of the smaller yet equally as significant parts of life along the way.

Big Basin State Park

Ooops! How could I forget?! "The Mysterious One", and I got to hike for several miles in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park, a couple of weeks ago while out in California visiting family. This is California's oldest state park, established in 1902, and sits just off the coast NW of Santa Cruz. It has over 80 miles of trails with numerous front country campgrounds, as well as backcountry sites.
There is an overnight(s) route which one can take all the way to the ocean after beginning on the ridge of the Santa Cruz Mtns. This trail is called the Skyline to Sea Trail. Maybe another day.

Anyway, we found a trail, mostly by accident that was not that busy and ended in a quiet picnic area near where we were parked. We relaxed here for a while before returning to the beach in Santa Cruz to listen to the american version of the "English Beat", who were performing on the beach that evening for free. Pretty cool day!

Camping at #26, via Panther Creek

Wow Dudes and Dudettes! I apologize for not getting back with you more frequently this summer but I have been hiking all the usual day hikes (i.e. West Prong, Rich mtn., etc...). I have been either distracted with life or to lazy to enter reports on these hikes, though with the links to the GSMNP provided here you can always check on conditions there.

This backpacking excursion took place labor day weekend with scattered storms across the mtns and temps in the 80's in the upper elevations, which is where we were most of the time.
The "Mysterious One" and I arrived at the Dripping Springs campsite (#26, 4400' elv.), in the early evening after coming up Middle Prong to Panther Creek, where we rock hopped the stream and began the long ascent up the mountain. This route is like many others in the Smokies, a continuous incline.
Along this 5.5+ mile hike from the MP trailhead up to Dripping Springs one gains over 2000' in elevation, sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.
We had our permit and camped for two nights, Saturday and Sunday, spending Sunday on an 11 ml hike up to the AT and then south to the Derrick Knob shelter, where we had lunch and rested.
Several of the AT shelters were still closed at this time due to bear activity. However they have since re-opened with warnings. As are several backcountry campsites, so I'd recommend checking the park website or copy and paste this link for the latest, (https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/index.htm).
Throughout Saturday there was a consistent rumble of thunder but we made the 11 ml day hike without seeing any rain. Until we returned to our camp and were getting ready to get dinner, "and then it rained".

As I have noted in previous entries about this campsite, it is very comfortable and well off the Miry Ridge trail but gathering water is an event to plan for.
The source is dependable mostly but with very little flow, thus the name "Dripping Spring".
All routes of access for this site would be considered difficult in terms of elevation gain and/or distance for the novice, especially if carrying a backpack. However, it is beautiful walking along the ridges and saddle to get there, and to continue up to the AT. Enjoy

Some areas reopen after flooding rains close parts of the Great Smoky Mountains NP

Use Caution folks.

Little River Road from Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area to the Townsend Wye will remain closed due to down trees and rocks.

Elkmont Campground, Little River Road from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area, Upper Tremont Road, and Wear Cove Gap Road have all been opened.

Wednesday, overnight, the park received heavy rain at high elevations across the park including 2.54 inches of rain recorded at Clingmans Dome. Over a 6-hour period, Little River rose approximately 6 feet above the normal level at the Townsend Wye. The park continues to monitor flood waters across the park.
Stream crossings at lower elevations may have already, or will become more challenging and thus dangerous as the water flows down the mountains. Be smart and do not be to proud to turn around.

For more information on road closures, please follow SmokiesRoadsNPS on Twitter.

--NPS--

www.nps.gov/grsm

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Blooms and Bears in the Smokies

These are some of the annually gorgeous blooms I've been able to see this spring and early summer. The bear I saw earlier this month.

Rabbit Creek Trail

The Rabbit Creek Trail is accessible at the west end of the park near the Abrams Creek camping area.
The trail begins with a wide stream crossing where you'll have to remove your footwear because the bridge is still out from flooding a couple of years ago.
I'd recommend you not lace up your boots until after you cross Abram's Creek; using caution and a hiking stick or pole as you cross.

There are a couple of places being used for the crossing, however one is all torn up and muddy from horses and their passengers, while the other presents a challenge in safely getting from the rugged steep shore into the water.
This trail would be considered moderately difficult for the avid hiker. However if your hiking experience is limited or you're not used to extended inclines in your hikes it would be considered more on the difficult side of that.

We hiked into campsite #15, and returned which is approximately 7mls+. This trail provides access to some areas of the park which are traveled less and awesome routes for backpacking overnight.
David took these photo's on the hike June10th, 2018.