Chestnut Top

This walk covered about 4mls. RT, and was along the Chestnut Top trail beginning at the Townsend 'Y' parking. That is the river access area just as you enter the GSMNP from Townsend. As noted before the trail has a relatively steep ascent over the first quarter mile or so and then dips and climbs over the next 1.5 give or take. There had been some recent maintenance on the trail where it looked like a tree had fallen and it's root had pulled part of the trail with it and some drainage run-offs added within the first half mile.
The picture of the cut tree caught my attention as the "spikes" of the branches that once stretched from it poked back into the tree. "Meg the Hiker" should be asked about this if you have any questions, as she is the Master Gardener. And the other photo of the mosses shaped like a mushroom caused me to think of pizza at the Mellow Mushroom in Chattanooga, by the aquarium. I was on my way out when that occurred and it was a good thing for I was hungry!

Chestnut Top on Saturday the 14th

This 8.6 ml. RT started at the Townsend 'Y', parking area alongside the Little River. What was different about this hike today was that I went ahead and completed the 4.3 ml. one way from the 'Y', to the junction w/ the School House Gap trail, and the number of people, 7,; and one domestic animal, I passed. Yes, the second couple of folks who I crossed paths w/ had one of those "large poodles" w/ them. Not sure what kind of dog it was though I do know that it was not providing any needed assistance to the man who had it and it DID NOT belong in the park! After greeting them; turns out I knew one of them through mutual friends, I pointed out that it was illegal to have the dog on the trails and that he could get a big ticket/fine if caught.
Now folks I do have a problem w/ you putting me at a higher risk of encountering a tired, hungry, and angry bear, which is what you do, when you carry your useless, domestic, overgrown, lap dog into the woods of this and any other wilderness area. It is Against the Law, a federal law that applies to all of us.
Well I got over it and developed a packaged comment for the next person I see doing this which will sound like this..."Oh, and be careful there's a couple of rangers just starting some work at the trailhead you'll be coming out at"...hee,hee,hee.
Along the way I saw bunches of Squirrels foraging for grub in the "warm weather" and despite the quiet trails I could not get close enough for a good picture.
This trail could be part of several one way routes provided you have the transportation and is enjoyable as a RT for the views, rock formations, and wildlife. Peace

Big Deer

Hello, this walk was a short (approx. 3+mls.) RT, up and along Chestnut Top trail beginning at the 'Y'.
The temperature was in the 50's, w/ sunny skies when on a southwest facing ridge. The trail was extremely quiet w/ the recent rains softening the fallen leaves. As I walked I saw squirrels, birds, bear skat, and this large deer showed himself on the last section of the walk. I heard him and some other animals moving in a ravine below and I stood and listened as he drew closer coming up to access the trail. He saw me shortly after coming out on to the trail but showed no concern and casually began walking the other direction. This has been an invigorating hike each time I've taken it, be it from the variety of animals seen or simply the difficulty of the first 1/2ml+ coming from the 'Y'.

The School Outside

Hello, This walk on Friday, the 19th, began from the gate at which I park when accessing these trails via Redbank and Tuckaleechee Cove. From here I walked the quarter mile or so up the gravel road, enjoying the views, to the park boundary and trailheads for Chestnut Top/School House Gap and Scott Mtn. trails.
I'd already outlined; and told a friend, my route which included a walk from Schoolhouse Gap, to White Oak Sinks, a visit the "bat cave" and return the way I came. Before "descending" onto the sinks trail; which has been modified to allow foot traffic ONLY! I reviewed my map and looked at my compass in order to get some semblance of "where and what". The only other time I'd gone down this trail very far, over a year ago, it was not very well traveled, and being that it's not on the park maps I wanted to have at least a vague idea of what I was walking into (if you do not know where this is keep walking you'll probably find it). The trail into the sinks is relatively moderate w/ a gradual decline and along some sinks as it drops towards the "bat cave". This spur through the sinks and to the cave is approx. 1 mile+-, along the sides and over some small ridges w/ some cool rock formations and open forest under the canopy. Also lots of what looked like various colored Asters, among other flora, blooming along the way.
Once I reached my original destination I noticed a trail that continued up between two ridges, knobs, or whatever, which I followed. This trail took me to another cool site and like the trail in from Schoolhouse, had been recently maintained, cut back, ensuring my confidence that I'd find my way out. (Unlike my previous visit last year) After visiting this other area of interest I was curious as to where this trail I was on would end up or come out. I recalled a fellow hiker telling me of a trail which comes out of the sinks and connects back up w/ either Scott Mtn., or Schoolhouse Gap and I wondered , "hmmmmm?", is this the one? I stopped, looked at my map and compass again and made some observations and guesses then continued on, just to see where it might drop me. Now I'm not one that makes a lot of noise as I walk alone but this route became so "tight" at times as I followed the trail up a creek and what looked like an old road, "I whistled a few times" in order to notify any large animals that I was walking here. My main concern, as I assessed my current status then, was not that I'd be lost but more that I might come out 4 miles "off course". Which shouldn't have been a concern because I had water and some other assorted items for "unplanned contingencies". So I walked on. Eventually I decide to give myself about 5 more minutes before turning around because it looked like I was nearing a ridgeline; as it had appeared for the last 10 or 15, and I did not want to quit before the top. I was reminded of times I've been walking and began to doubt my location or route only to find, usually, that I was right on. Soon after setting this 5 minute limit I realize that I am cresting a ridge and dude! I'm like coming out of the woods in a very familiar area about 1/4 ml. from where I started. Another great day to learn! Ye' of little faith. Peace.

Chestnut Top Colors

Hey! This was new for me. I saw where James the Walker had done this route a few weeks ago and wanted to try it out. Just did about 3 mls. RT, from the 'Y'. I made a deal w/ a bear; who I saw the backside of as it ran, that I'd turn around at the point I did so sticking to my word kinda limited the length (about a mile and a half in). The bear was running so I did not get a picture but got several other nice pictures I think. The first 1/2 mile or so of this trail could be tough because initially it's a steep incline w/ some more moderate grades after the first 1/4 ml.

The Other Half

Well the other half began from the Townsend 'Y', parking area and the Chestnut Top Trailhead. This trail has an intimidating beginning which deterred me some in the past and made the excuse that "it's not gonna be any fun, it's too close to the road and probably has lots of noise", more believable. Yea, yea, yea! This behavior of mine was described by Herbert Spencer as "contempt prior to investigation".
This trail has a steep incline from the start and after a 1/2 mile begins to level some. At times. For the two miles or so walked I'd say I was going up most of it until I began to overlap the route walked on Sunday. Some really cool rock formations on the climb up, though as noted in the "lil brown book", you'll wanna watch your step through here because off the trail to the right it is damn near vertical. The trail becomes quiet w/ the elevation gain, and like the other half will have some wonderful views this fall and winter. Once I began to recognize the trail and views from the walk on Sunday I gave thanks, again, and turned around. W/ the almost continuous decline in elevation from the turnaround I made great time coming out. This trail has no permanent water source though I saw some fresh water in a wet spring about a mile plus into the walk, that had I my MSR filter I would have had no problem drinking this water.

Beginning from this side the Chestnut Top Trail is difficult, yet doable even for the smoker or novice w/ frequent rest. Oh, yippee! and there was no litter on this section of trail that I noticed, minus a big band-aid that someone left. The noise was at times noticeable from Hwy #321, but not lasting and surely not enough to prevent my return. Should the spirits permit it. Peace

Chestnut Top Today

This walk along the Chestnut Top Trail began on the School House Gap side of it's length, which extends from there, 4.3 miles to the Townsend 'Y'. From the car and approx. 2 miles along the trail this was a 5 mile+ RT walk along the ridge line. It was moderate to easy and offered some nice vistas even w/ the summer foilage. The most difficult part of the hike would be from the car to the trailhead. I saw Thunderhead Mtn., which is visable from this trail, and was allowed different perspectives of this for about 1/2 mile along the route. Or at least until I turned around. Some noise from motor traffic at times from Hwy #321, Townsend, yet it was not nearly what I had feared. Several times before I've approached this trail and not followed it because of pre-concieved conclusions which had little validity. Hmmmm? Heck, this was the middle of the summer, on a sunny Sunday and the noise pollution was not a problem any more than one encounters along other trails in the GSMNP.
This trail was well kept and, as the "lil' brown trail book" points out, will have many more wide vistas during the winter. Great trail for a longer RT, (8.6 mls., from School Hs.Gp. to the 'Y', and back), and one I'll try later, maybe in the fall.