Hazel Creek

Sandwiched between two beautiful weekends we were able so schedule a trip to Hazel Creek on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. Our weekend was anything but dry with rain both nights, fortunately after tent ready.

Access to Hazel Creek is via shuttle boat from Fontana Marina, a ten mile hike from the Road to Nowhere, or paddle by canoe/kayak from the Cable Creek put-in.

We chose shuttle from the marina and enjoyed a beautiful although chilly ride down Fontana Lake to our destination. Hazel Creek is the location of a large mining and logging operation prior to the park designation and several ruins scattered through the forest make for interesting side trips off the trail. Despite the remote location we were joined on Saturday night by as many as 30 other backpackers who arrived by several means of transportation and with varying degrees of preparedness, ranging from garden carts slugging enough gear to outfit a small army, to minimalists who carried their weekend supply in day packs.

Although the fishing was not very productive on this trip, Hazel Creek is one of the crown jewels of Smokey Mountain trout fishing as well as having a population of smallmouth in the lower reaches.

The first camp site is only .5 miles from the boat put in and is by reservation only. Often booked months in advance. However there are plenty of sites at 1 mile, 3 miles, 5 miles and none miles on up the trail as well as having access to the lake trail which can drop you of into the Eagle Creek drainage.

The trail itself for the first several miles follows the bed of a logging era train route and is wide as well as almost level with a low grade for 5 miles. We saw plenty of game; turkey, deer, hawk, all within the strolling distance of camp. Bear cables are prevalent and make the food storage easy.

School for Turkeys...along the Trails

This was a great hike under the canopy for the most part and thanks to early morning weather I was alone until the last 3 miles. When I awoke the first time at 4 something, a.m., it was raining and I thought great I'll just stay up have some coffee, bananas, and get on the trail around six. I quickly rethought that after checking the weather on the computer and went back to sleep.
Shortly after 9am I got up, had some coffee, Bananas, a Lara Bar; or 2, packed a shoulder bag and got in the car for a trailhead yet to be determined.
I chose the School House Gap Trail; via Tuckaleechee Cove, and followed this to Turkeypen Ridge Trail, 1 ml. I followed Turkeypen down 3.4 mls to the intersection of 3 trails which included Crib Gap, Lead Cove, and Finley Cane trails. I was looking for the latter in order to continue an 11 mile+ loop, counting the walk from the car.
Finley Cane begins through the tunnel pictured or up and over to cross Laurel Creek Rd. The walk through the tunnel was not difficult and there were rocks to hop when needed. This trail became a wide dual use route w/ a steady incline up to a connection w/ Bote Mtn. Trail just under 3 mls from the start.
From the beginning of Turkeypen Trail, and onto Finley Cane, there are beautiful forest. These forest cover some relatively open areas underneath the canopy and at times I would have to stop, listen to the silence, absorb the colors, and feel the peace. Mushrooms were frequent w/ the recent rains and small blooms old and new, were as well. And large trees!
When I connected w/ Bote Mtn. trail I sat on a fallen tree and retied my boots in an attempt to prevent blisters. I was beginning to notice a hot spot on my right heel (got one anyway). From here it's .6 ml to the next left turn just as Bote Mtn. Trl. runs into the West Prong Trail. If you continue to walk it in that direction, down and to the right you'll come to a great campsite along the West Prong, #18, in less than a mile. The continuation of Bote Mtn. Trl. drops me off the Mtn. and hooks me up w/ School House Gap Trail, about 2.5 miles from my starting point. I picked up a small bag of garbage along the way and just can't figure out why some feel the need to leave cigarette butts, styrofoam cups, plastic baggies, and other non-perishable items. Damn, even your toilet paper which will be gone after a rain or two, you can at least bury it under some mulch or leaves. Better yet! Take it out w/ you and Leave No Trace! Peace

A Present to Myself !

Happy Birthday! My present involved an approximate 7.5 mile walk during a break in the rain on Saturday the 5th. Dudes! and Dudettes! It was a beautiful walk which began at the gate along the road going up to the School House Gap trail. On the way up the road I passed one of the owners of this property that borders the park. I had met Jim last fall one of the times when I hiked from this trail head shortly after I moved to Townsend. At that time, as he leaned against his truck, he told me how sorry he was to see the development of the area he grew up in and pointed to a "retreat" being constructed off on a not so distant mountain, noting the noise, erosion, and destruction of trees. The picture of the house with this posting is where Jim was born.

Along the walk I noticed bunches of fat squirrels, some birds and was "flagged" by a deer. "Flagged" is a deer hunters term used to describe the vertical tail of a spooked deer during which all you see is the white tail.

The first 1/4 mile plus of road leads up to the trail head and Schoolhouse Gap. Every time I walk up, or back down, this roadway I'm blown away how beautiful Tuckalechee Cove is.
The School House Gap trail was quiet from the recent moisture and being that this is a dual use trail for horseback riders as well, it is also wide and free of downed trees etc... . These equestrians should police after themselves. Better yet, have no reason to pick up after themselves! I noticed empty cans and bottles, things not likely to be carried by someone on their feet and damn if your going to smoke while you ride or hike carry out your butts people! I used to smoke and backpack and it is not a problem to carry a Ziploc to place your butts in after carefully rolling out the fire and fully extinguishing it. My former hiking partner and I even reused our butt bag on the next trip. I get frustrated by folks seeming mental disconnect. When for example, they say, "Oh, isn't this beautiful", while they peel their candy bar wrapper off and leave it along the trail or throw the plastic bottle out the window! Are my words congruent w/ my actions? Enough.
Turkey Pen Ridge was a really cool trail and I will use it as part of what looks like would be about a 12-14 mile RT loop I'm scouting. More about that later. This route was mostly moderate w/ some difficult spots mainly in a few somewhat extended inclines. W/ patience and fluids this route is very "doable" even for the novice hiker. Peace,