Abrams Creek

This outing began with a trip to an old car camp ground I have not visited in many years. I have in years past visited this drive in camp ground of approximately twenty sites and been the only one there. This was not to be this time however. I grabbed the next to last spot a 2:00 in the afternoon and before I had my tent set up the last spot was taken also.

Abrams Creek is far better known in it's upper portions within Cades Cove but winds its way out of the cove and empties into Chilhowee Lake near the intersection of the Foothills Parkway and Highway 129, which is known to bikers as The Dragons Tail. Chilhowee Lake covers the site of an ancient Overhill Cherokee village and is thought to be the site of the Creek village "Chalahume" visited by Spanish explorer Juan Pardo in 1567.

After the put in and within a quarter of a mile of paddling the creek beds curves and immediately all sound of traffic is forgotten. On this particular trip we encountered several other canoeists/kayakers, but none ventured further than the referenced quarter mile cutoff which is a shame. It was a little past the optimum blooming of the rhododendron, but their spent blossoms floated on the water, reminiscent of cherry blossoms in Japan.

I highly recommend the trip up the creek, where an easy paddle can be turned into a multiple mile excursion. A side trip up Panther Creek for a short distance is also available. Although I was not fishing this time I did see activity and the gravel bed evidence of spawning.

South Cumberland Recreation/Stone Door

"Meg the mysterious Hiker" and I began this day hike from the Stone Door Ranger station on Saturday the 7th, around 1 pm. Weather conditions were hot, humid, partly cloudy, and little wind in the trees. We descended from the "door" to the Big Creek Gulf and Connector trails intersection, and chose the connector. This trail is 6.7 miles one way and is described as the most physically challenging of the Savage Gulf State Natural Area. I've hiked the majority of the trails in this area and this is correct in the sense of the rocky trails, extended inclines and declines, and little noticeable access to water though there were several spots which appeared to be "wet springs", meaning tey have water after rains and moist times. At this point of 2008, the eastern parts of the state are beginning to show signs of "sub-normal rainfalls" ,(approx. 5 inches below average). We had both worked hard over the last week and decided we would stop at Cator Savage Cabin eat some and decide what to do next. Just before we arrived at the spur to the cabin we heard rumbles of thunder and Meg's earlier observations of dark clouds began to seem more immediate. Just as we were approaching the cabin the rain began. We were protected by the forest canopy for the most part and made it to the covered porch before it busted loose. OH! Damn if you haven't noticed yet I forgot my camera, again. It was a splendid time on the porch of this cabin experiencing the rain, the forest, the peace, the butterflies, and the friendship. After relaxing for a while and the rain letting up we began our return, though we made this decision to return when we got back to the connector trail. Along the path we both experienced some of the changes brought by the new rain. The way the leaves hung from the bushes and trees, the newly opened blooms, the silent trail and of course the lower temperature. Along the walk we enjoyed Flame Azaleas, and some Mountain Laurel, and various small but intricately beautiful blooms. A great walk for folks in fair to good health who are looking for a trail less traveled in a busy area.