Mushrooms along the way

Today dudes and dudettes, well yesterday, I walked along the West Prong trail to campsite #18. There were some folks setting up camp and we talked briefly about fishing and the VIP program. This after he asked if he could help me, maybe thinking I was lost, and rightfully so, as I wandered around the campsite checking on its condition. I was acting as a recruiter after I explained briefly what I was doing, for this vital park program.
The mushrooms and related fungi, are coming into "bloom" with different colors, sizes and shapes. These were happening along the main trial and the loop route which I followed on the way out. These are some of those remarkable small parts of the vast system we are also, only a tiny part of. Peace

Bear activity in the GSMNP

As of 2/28/2011
CLOSED CAMPSITES DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: # 24, #35, #68
USE CAUTION AT THESE CAMPSITES/ LOCATIONS DUE TO BEAR ACTIVITY:
BC Sites: BC #18, #21, #36, #37,#38, #61 and #85
Shelters: Cosby Knob, Mt. Collins, Double Spring Gap
Trails: Laurel Falls Trail, Clingmans Dome Tower Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Little River Trail.
BC Sites closed due to storm damage: #3, #11, #15
Closed Trails:
Due to recent storms, many trails in the Park may be difficult or
impossible to travel due to downed trees. The following trails are closed
due to this damage: Gunter Fork Trail, Beard Cane Trail entire trail,
including Campsites 3 & 11. Cooper Road Trail from junction at Beard Cane
to Cades Cove Loop Road. Hatcher Mountain Trail north of its intersection
with the Little Bottoms Trail. Rabbit Creek Trail from the junction with
the Hannah Mountain Trail east to the Abrams Falls Trailhead, including
Campsite 15. Wet Bottom Trail entire trail.

USE THE FOOD STORAGE CABLES PROVIDED AT ALL
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITES

Clean water for you?

Hello folks! Several of the groups which make up the Alliance For Appalachia, are in the District of Columbia this week keeping the Clean Water Protection Act, (CWPA) fresh on the minds of those in congress. The CWPA is a bill which would restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act (1972), will cost nothing to implement, will end the destruction of mountains and the valley fills which bury our streams and poison the water. All this and more a direct consequence of MTR. This bill would not cost jobs and would only stop that one form of coal mining, MTR. If your unfamiliar with some of these terms or MTR you can learn more by clicking the title of this blog entry, or go to ilovemountains.org, have fun educating yourself and seeing this domestic terrorism.

Kitten Care

This post is to inform those concerned about the fate of Spice; see previous entry, the Mysterious One drove back to the campground the other day and retrieved her. Spice is now at a foster parent's place and up for adoption. The Mysterious One said that when she went looking for Spice she could not be found and after several walks through the camping area was preparing to leave when she heard a cat's "meow".

Quinn Springs Campground in the Cherokeee NF

This campground is located just off Hwy 411, north of Cleveland TN, and is just down the road from the Hiwassee State Scenic River State Park. If Spice, the kitten in the picture, is around you'll have a loyal, if somewhat tentative, campsite companion. The Mysterious One made quick friends with Spice, feeding it beans and oats. The other picture is a beetle rolling a "ball", of what may have been a nut or some other food source.

From the campground you have access to several trails including the Oswald Bald trail which is what the "Mysterious One and I chose. This route of 3.8 mls, one-way, gains 2000' in elevation and should be considered difficult by most folks. As we climbed towards the upper reaches of the trail the forest cleared some and felt less cluttered with some open spaces. The bottom portion consisted of smaller trees and undergrowth, though it should be noted that this is a national forest and not a park, so trail traffic is less and maintenance is not as frequent giving it a more rustic feel. The Hiwassee Hiking Club does a fine job in maintaining this trail given the steep nature of the route. Atop the trail the mountain is crowded with radio antennas and other relays and transmitter. There is camping allowed at this point however we did easily spot any previously developed or used sites.

This Just in......to me anyway.

update to the trail closures in Cades Cove due to storm damage.
The Rabbit Creek Trail is now open from the Abrams Creek RS to the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail. Hannah Mtn Trail is now open from Rabbit Creek Trail to junction with Wet Bottom Trail and Abrams Falls Trail.

...Oh! and, by the way....

The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for Monday...
Hot and humid conditions will increase Monday...Hot temperatures in the mid and upper 90s, along with high humidity, will produce heat index values between 100 and 105 for several hours Monday afternoon across the southern and central portions of the Tennessee Valley including Chattanooga and Knoxville. People participating in outdoor activities should take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Heat exhaustion, cramps, and heat stroke can result from prolonged exposure to these conditions. Friends and co-workers should check on people who may be at risk.

Pigeon Mountain/Pocket Wilderness

This primitive area contains 16,000 acres, with no developed facilities, and over 40 miles of trails. Most of which are shared by hikers, mountain bikes, and horseback riders. The trail which the Mysterious One and I walked on the 4th, was the Estelle Mine Trail, and consisted of a total of just under 6mls., in and out. The route we chose took us through several mines or tunnels, some longer and darker than others, and all much cooler than the 90+ degree temperatures outside. These tunnel were spurs off the marked trail and went through small ridges that would shorten the walk somewhat, teasing us with much cooler air for a while.
This wildlife area is popular during the fall for usually two short hunts for deer season and less so during the spring for Turkey hunting.
The Mysterious One and I saw some beautiful blooms and interesting rock formations, plus got some time outside in these beautiful north Georgia forest. Peace