A Few Days Away

Hello to all! This excursion began on Sunday the 31st of October from Cades Cove and the Anthony Creek Trail early in the afternoon. The weather was fabulous with temperatures around 70 degrees, sunny skies and a nice breeze. Of course this meant lots of folks "auto-touring" and even some walking on the initial few miles of the trail. Most coming out from day hikes though I spoke with some BP's coming off Spence Field who had had a pleasant weekend. I followed Anthony Creek trail to the Russell Field trail (RF) where some folks were sitting listening to an old timer tell stories of the past so I greeted them and continued on. The trail was great except for the horse shit I had to step around occasionally. Water was available throughout the three days hiking however I chose not to collect it at RF Shelter due to the strong odor from horse shit in the trail and how the trail which paralleled the water source was acting as drainage for recent rains into this source. The RF Shelter is open and looks great with the refurbishing done. Thanks Folks! (see the picture)



I rested at RF after the 3.5 mile climb to the AT before continuing on to Mollie's Ridge. A note here: the guide books and maps I've seen that provide the distance between RF and Mollie's state it as being around two miles though the trail signs show it as just over three. The distance on these signs between Mollie's and Spence would be a total of 6.4, rather than the 5+ I calculated and which I heard several different parties later making the same observation.
Upon arrival at Mollie's I greeted two avid hikers from Dalton Ga, who were collecting wood for the fire. A fire which we kept hot and burning in the shelter fireplace until after we slept. We were later joined by a father and son team who were hiking from Newfound Gap to Fontana. The fire and the wind breaker covering the front of the shelter made for a pleasant nights rest with temperatures probably in the lower 30's upper 20's. It was not as cool the next night.
Monday November 1st, I took my time getting up and moving because I had only 6.4 miles of relatively moderate terrain to cover back to Spence Field where I'd be staying that night.




At Spence I was greeted by to young men, SOBO's, who had started 58 days prior near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and who were sleeping in today. They were only going a short distance because it was like 2:30 at that point. They shared some stories, the most interesting to me was...well that's probably better shared on another site, and was probably why they were so tired. Anyway they moved on shortly after 3pm for RF and left the fire burning for me. Just after laying in the grass atop Spence Field appreciating what has been given me for about 45 minutes and feeling like I may have this shelter to myself they showed up! A man with his two children and a lap dog! Uuuhgggg!!!! I had time to compose myself. It was too late to continue out for either party and find another shelter so I politely said hello. The next morning before departing I explained to him the parks policy on dogs to which he admittedly new he was in the wrong "but what else was I gonna do with my dog?". Really wanta know? It ain't about the dog sir!!
The Bote Mountain trail was as rocky as the last three times I've hiked it only this time I was going down through the 1 mile+ of softball size rocks, tempting me to twist or break something if not careful. Erosion and heavy horse traffic. Shortly after turning left onto Anthony Creek trail I passed a couple in their 60's+ looking strong on a day hike and was given more hope that all things willing I'll be able to do the same when I reach that point in "the trail." Peace

Spring Snow

Dudes! and Dudettes! What a cool walk I got to take today up Anthony Creek trail to Russell field trail and up along Leadbetter ridge. The snow was with me from the picnic area where I parked, just inside Cades Cove, and only deepened as I gained elevation. When I started my return approximately a half a mile+ from the Russell Field shelter it was like 8 inches deep. The only wildlife I saw were birds of various types, none of which I could identify but click this picture and you'll get a better view of the one in this tree.
When I started I had my hopes up that I'd have the trail to myself, as there were no other cars parked in the picnic area lot where I started from. Well that's because the groups of "overnighters" I passed (7 persons total) as I was going in could not park in that lot overnight.
I was on the trail about 4.5 hours and it snowed probably half that time. The streams are of course busting loose and the temperatures are supposed to reach the 60's Tomorrow. The blooms will return soon I'm sure and The Walker and others will provide more pic's though you ought to come see them for yourself. Things are just getting started and the park has stuff going on all year celebrating the 75Th anniversary of it's "grand opening".

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