The Spring Around Here

The picture of the Falls is from an overnight excursion the Mysterious One and I took a few weeks ago in north Georgia, Crockford-Pigeon Mtn, I believe. The others are from here and there and in between.

It's Was New

So today I decide to locate and follow a foot trail I spotted on my return yesterday along Lumber Ridge trail, and see what "new, unexplored" territory Junior Ranger Fife, that's me, can find! Well after being on it for about 10 minutes it became pretty clear where I was going to end up which was on Buckeye T. near the water tower. I made some adjustments in my plans and continued towards the Spruce Flat Falls w/ the intention of bushwhacking; which I later learned was not necessary, to end up above the falls. Being someone who prefers an easier softer route I tend to over think some situations and add to the work. Well, I added some work to this effort however it was a challenge successfully met and I ended up locating the old road/railway, the difficult way, coming off of Meigs Mtn. and continues; I was later told by two gentleman who passed me along the way, on past to one of the one-lane bridges on Tremont rd.








Dudes! and Dudettes! What awesome falls up above the main batch! The section of falls which most people see especially in the summer needs to stay that way. In the summer you can't even see much above the main section and for the novice hiker the visible section should suffice. I look forward to learning more of this area and using what I picked up to today to travel new paths. Peace

Pigeon Mountain, GA / Pocket Wilderness

Inspiration took hold of me this morning, or perhaps it was envy, after listening to stories of family and friends having romped with abandon in the abundant snowfall which slammed this part of the Southeast from Nashville to No. Georgia. Because temperatures today were far above freezing, the snow pack wet and soft, these conditions spurred a trip to the Pocket Wilderness for an exploration of the 8.4 mile Pocket Loop. I went without the expectation of necessarily completing the whole hike, but more to see whether I could even reach the parking lot in my ’99 Honda Civic. No problem!

What a glorious approach to Pigeon Mountain with its double peaks (No. Pocket and So. Pocket) shimmering white in the blue sky and sunshine. I had never seen a snow-covered mountain sparkle the way and it seemed to me I was going to experience something new. The initial 0.3 from the parking lot was steep, although the snow hardly covered the gated road leading to an impressive waterfall to the right with stone cliffs to my left. There were actually two flumes today dropping from the creek bed above. This creek is intersected by the trail about 0.1 from the falls, normally my choice for a finale after starting a hike from the other end of the loop, but I decided to head upward into the area known as the So. Pocket for a more strenuous approach knowing I was only here to hike for a short while and carrying no food or water. The trail was easy to walk, sometimes lacking snow at the very center, not because of footfalls, but having evaporated naturally. At other times, a layer of ice created a vulnerable crust over the inch or so of snow making for decent traction. I followed a single set of tracks (human) for about 200 yards upward before it became apparent to me that nobody had walked much further during this particular snow and that it would be my privilege.

As I kept on, I witnessed the most extraordinary conditions, bare tree limbs and all tree branches were covered with glassy ice, the heavy snow from Friday having melted and re-frozen a day later, forming clear and solid drippings like candle wax all throughout the forest. Not only that, but the sunshine was at a perfect angle, early afternoon about 1 PM EST, and refracting on all these icy surfaces creating spirals of rainbows as I walked. It was quite spectacular! I continued along the trail for about forty-five minutes or so, growing warmer in my winter layers, then decided to turn around before I was able to convince myself to walk the whole loop. H2O was plentiful...I probably could have made it all the way around. Just glad I decided to take a walk on the last day of January 2010.

Tennessee River Gorge Section, Cumberland Plateau Trail

This hike begins at Signal Point, Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Foggy and crisp-cold at noontime, beautiful monotone colors and ghostly waterfall across the gorge. Did not walk very far today, honoring the time constraint of a fellow traveler. This is my first entry. Have forgotten the titles of a few of the milestones particularly the waterfall (a woman's name...) but distinctly remember Middle Creek Bridge which crosses the creek below the aqueduct about 1.8 miles from trailhead. Had not noticed before today the character of the trail, the rocky terrain, feet dipping in and out of fallen leaves, perhaps hidden obstacles. I walk too fast. In fact, Patti asked me to slow down..... Nothing like a (somewhat) familiar trail through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Where is Rainbow Lake? Before making our excursion, a few friends asked if we were "going that far?" Not today; approximately one hour out and back.