...and Check Out the Small Stuff

I saw these small parts of the larger view today bushwhacking off the West Prong trail. An area which someone had told me about a few months ago and today I checked out a part of the route.

Time and weather permitting I will try and see more of this area soon.

Snow Time

Well the Little River rd. was opened today with occasional patches of slush however, apparently safe enough for driving. And it was as I drove to the West Prong trailhead anyway, though the road was closed after the pavement ended. So my walk of approx. 3.5mls along the West Prong and back to the loop to complete the afternoon was done without seeing sign of anyone except for prints in the snow for the first 1/2ml.
I got a reminder and renewed appreciation of hiking in snow as I was "working" throughout the first mile which is primarily an incline, and was covered with 5+ inches of snow today.

There were animal tracks along the way and I even used one animals paw print; looked like a fox or coyote, in the snow to get back on the loop trail which I lost for a second.
I was looking for the trail in the smooth snow and found it again by noting the tracks in the snow and noting the route it had chosen. The animal was following the trail; it followed it for another quarter mile, an untracked route it could not see either yet a path it uses often and had some better sense of its direction. Another great day in the woods!

Practice Appreciation

As the walk began, before I left the parking lot I heard children in the woods on a trail I was considering for a short 2ml loop so I decided to start the loop from another direction. About 100 yards along the trail were two ladies sitting and talking and I thought they chose a great spot and day to do this. Sitting in the shade with the Middle Prong sounding busy across the road. Turns out they were there to ensure that none of the kids went beyond them on this trail as the kids were learning how to use a compass.
Along my walk I could here someones domestic dog barking up on the West Prong trail and I wanted to scream!! For those readers who have a dog and come to the GSMNP, your Dog is NOT ALLOWED on trails. See The Sign at the beginning of Every trail?
This is a safety issue and a Federal regulation.
Twenty or so minutes later as I approached the West Prong trail from the loop I heard very close by, a large animal moving through the thickening underbrush and I hoped it was not pissed because of the dog or scared enough to act a fool! Whatever it was.
These local, state, and federal parks do not belong to me they belong to us and so I should be considerate of other folk's safety and how my behavior affects another's day in the woods. Be it practicing "Leave No Trace" camping and hiking or reading about the parks policies before I bring my ass to this place. Uuuugh!
I tried to create good out of this learning opportunity and think I just succeeded. Peace

West Prong Blooms

This afternoon was a wonderful time for walking! As I made my way about a mile into this walk I was overcome with a flood aromas from blooms, new plants and moist soil from yesterdays rain. The flavors that arrested my sense of smell were powerful and caught my attention more than once along this 4.5 ml hike. I guess you'll have to see for yourself if you're in the area in the next few weeks.










A strong wind was diminished by the terrain making it a cooling pleasant breeze full of spring smells on the trail. With it's smooth sound through the trees the wind was also very soothing as my eyes noted the varying shadows and contrast in each view along the route.
The Crested Dwarf Iris was still prominent in places with numerous other blooms occurring or on the verge of doing so. I saw the back end of a bear as it tried to remain unseen by quickly dashing into some cover about a mile out of #18 on my return trip. What a wonderful day!

Some Spring Pictures

These pictures were taken over the last week along West Prong trail, GSMNP, and some OTG sites in the GSMNP. Enjoy.

Short Walks

Today was really nice w/ temps in the upper 60's and clear skies! Yesterday the weather was nice as well, all things considered, yet time only allowed for a short walk on the west prong trail/loop each day. Today I bushwacked a short route off the trail that connected back with the unmarked loop. Earlier this week I walked around the middle prong in the snowfall.
Haa! That was fun, as I sat looking at a Topo at the trailhead, 6 backpackers came down the trail from #28. They stopped and we started talking. Seems they were going to walk to the road and make their way back to Elkmont where they had parked a couple of days ago. I kindly pointed out to them the difficulty with that plan. To make a long story short they waited while I took a short walk. When I returned they loaded all six of their packs and themselves into my 240 DL wagon and off to Tremont we drove. Once there 4 of them got out with the packs and I took the other 2 over to Elkmont, via Wear Valley due to the rock slide, where they got the vehicle and I assume headed back to their mates.
Interesting thing was these guys seemed relatively prepared by looking at the gear they had and clothes they were wearing but apparently did not look at the map closely enough, or were hoping for a fellow backpacker to give them a ride. They left me with the welcome to hike Michigan; from where they had driven, and they'd give me ride if they see me. Well, I thanked them and thought that may happen after Big Ben, the Sawtooths, Tetons, Glacier, Ozarks, ..... Peace

My First Time....Monday the First

The first time I saw a bear this year, that is. Really cool experience. We, the bear and I, were traveling different directions on the same trail (West Prong), and as I looked up the trail which was curving around the front of a small ridge I saw the bear already turning around and looking over it's shoulder to keep an eye on me.
"Whoa!, we damn near collided there Mr. or Mrs. bear" I said as I stopped in the next step. Dude it was only say like 50' up the trail! When I said my greetings it stopped and perched up on it's hind quarters to have a closer look see at which point I continued to talk calmly and assess the situation (i.e. my physical location, it's position and current direction of travel, and a quick scan for any others).
This done it began to move off the trail into the "median" of the trail. As I noted the trail was bending around the knob on this ridge so either direction I went the bear would be just above me as it had now stopped up in the woods and was keeping me located. Much as I was him/her. After a few minutes of "conversation" w/ the bear and losing the visual I had on it as it moved further up the knob staying in the bush I chose my original route and continued. I finished this short loop paying closer attention as I enjoyed the cooler late afternoon temperatures, the shade provided by the trees and all the little things to appreciate.

Walking in the rain

The weather was great for the water table and plants which means it was raining most of the morning before I started this short excursion. As it has been more frequently so far this year. This month Townsend is half inch over the average precipitation for May and the area is an inch over for the year. So folks we are not getting all that much rain, we just ain't been exposed to it in the last Several years.
The walk is one we're familiar with West Prong to #18, and returning partially along an un-named loop. This posting is mostly to show the beautiful Mountain laurels, add a new entry and to note again not all the hikes we do are posted.
The rain stayed away mostly as I walked this 4+ ml. route. At about a mile into it a Whitetail deer and I exchanged glances and greetings and decided one of us would have to leave the trail w/ steep choices either way. Luckily, as it approached within about 25' it chose to hop off the trail down the mountain and into some brush. I saw no one as I reached site #18, sat on a rock and enjoyed the noise of the full stream there. Peace.

Sunday the 15th

I was out on this cool afternoon for a break from "myself" and things I have no control over and was rewarded from the "git-go" w/ appreciation of those things which need our respect. Thanks.

Snowy Trails

This walk was really cool with several inches of snow already on the ground and some falling as I walked a familiar trail made new again by the snow cover. I was the first on the trail even though a couple was putting their boots on when I arrived. Their out of state tag and blue jeans, indicated to me that they were gonna enjoy the day as much as I was, probably. My route along the West Prong trail was similar to others. I took the trail to campsite #18, sat on a rock in the stream, returned to the spur about halfway back and followed it along it's untouched snow cover.
I was on this trail because access to trail heads was limited w/ the roads in the park closed as they were yesterday around mid-day. The weather is probably going to allow melting over the next few days w/ re-freezing occurring overnight. HP willing I'll be out again Wednesday looking for a new route. Peace

Will the Ranger....

Hello, This walk was a 6 mile+ one-way, beginning at the West Prong trailhead at Tremont, and ending at the School House Gap/Scott Mountain junction w/ a second car parked at "the gate". I had just done a small portion of this route the day before and found it very interesting how quickly some of these wet streams go dry even after the copious amounts of rainfall we have had recently. The falls in the sinks were awesome as I think these pictures will partially reveal.
My friend the "Ranger Will"; who really is a park ranger, joined me along this walk as he acquaints himself w/ the different areas within the park. The pace was relatively relaxed, the temperature was in the 40's if you were standing in sunshine without the wind, but probably in the 30's in the shade at the top of some of the ridges and colder with the windchill. The seemingly translucent moon was visible in the often broken blue sky.
It was great actually having to step w/ care over and through streams crossings to avoid getting your feet wet! The only folks we saw were a man we spoke w/ just before West Prong trail began it's decent to campsite #18, and two other folks we greeted at the Bote Mtn., West Prong intersection; where we had stopped for some grub, who were headed down the Bote mtn trail. A wonderful day for hiking! Peace. Oh! have you called the Governor today and asked him what actions he has taken regarding the coal ash spill? Did You know...The TVA CEO, Tom Kilgore, got a raise of $500,000, in October('08), bringing his salary to 3.27 million dollars a year! , this pay raise a month after TVA made the largest rate increase in 30 years! The Governor's phone# 615-741-2001

West Prong (Fri. 12/12)

I chose this trail for it's convenience and to see what the creek that runs through campsite #18, looks like after heavy rains and some snow. Compare this picture of the stream w/the one taken on August 26th, which are only a few yards from each other. The West Prong trail took me through some snow about halfway through the walk which peaked just above the snow line. Along which the temperature (40's) varied w/ elevation, some wind, and the often cloudy skies. Beautiful views could be seen of the frozen peaks surrounding this area. This is a fun, moderate, walk and is usually abscent of many hikers. Peace

And Then It Rained...some more

Hello, Yea! It's raining some more again today!! It started around noon and has varied in intensity but is falling steady. Rock On! We've had about 2" of rain over the last 2 days. And it was a soaking rain which helps some w/ this years below average rainfall.
I went for a walk this morning for several miles (4+) before the rain. From West Prong Trailhead at Tremont up, around, and down to #18. The creek at #18 was running a bit stronger w/ the recent rains and the spring which crosses the trail just before you reach this site, coming from Tremont was strong as well. On the return I took the unmarked trail which is just about halfway, and at the approximate high point of this walk (approx. 2000'). It's a really cool change and makes the walk a "spoon" shaped route instead of a RT on all the same trail.

Campsite #18, via Bote Mtn. Trail

Today,(8/23/08), we have a VP on the Democratic ticket and I hiked for about 4.5 miles in the GSMNP. I started the morning w/ big plans and found I was unintentionally delaying my start through repeated evaluations and second guessing. So finally I got my stuff and went to the Post Office to mail a letter to the editor. W/ this done I was on my way to the park entrance and went right at the Townsend 'Y', to "force" the issue for myself and decide the route for the day. I chose the the Bote Mtn. trailhead which begins approx. 3.5 miles in from the 'Y', w/ a parking area at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead on the right. The Bote Mtn. trail is about 250 yards back and across the street. This trail was described on another day in an entry from 7/7/08, of a walk on June 25th. I found the route similar to that day minus the "creature sighting", and add dust from the lack of rain. After the 1.2 mile climb and intersection w/ the end of the West Prong trail I went left on that trail and to campsite #18, which was like only a half a mile or so. I've walked through this site a few times but this time having no agenda, I stopped and looked around. What a great campsite! The water was still running well in the West Prong, which separates the tent sites at this campsite and the folks who have "adopted" this site for upkeep had apparently been here recently w/ signs of cleaned fire pits and grounds. Thank you for your help. The sites are spread apart giving lots of privacy w/ each having a fire ring, easy water if the West Prong is running, and pulleys for the packs etc... . This site, #18, is easily accessible from the West Prong trailhead parking at Tremont as well and both routes appear to be about the same distance, approx. 2mls.
While I was at #18, I walked to each camping area and really liked 'A', and 'C', for the distance from the main trail, and other reasons like this "large puddle" of moving water, one of several at #18, which flowed just beyond 'A'. Come walk w/ us and you can decide for yourself.
I followed a trail up the creek from site 'C', which appeared to be along an old road; or railway from the logging years, and also an area which looked like it once had a building(s) of some sort on it. Actually I noted a couple of spots where this looked to be the case so I'll ask about it when I'm volunteering next week at the visitor center. Really a nice hike complete w/ Cardinal Flowers, and big trees. Peace

Blisters in the Back Country 02/08/08

W

This back country excursion began at the parking area for the West Prong trail head across the road from the main building at the Insitute at Tremont. After parking and "losing" my tent; as I had reservations in shelters the next 2 nights, I started my walk up Tremont road and the approx. 3.7 miles to Middle Prong Trailhead. It was a nice walk and only one car passed along the way. Once at the trailhead I continued up the Middle Prong Trail enjoying the full stream; Lynn Camp prong, which flows along side the trail, and the rock formations stacked beside it, in it, and over it as well. Just over 4 miles into this trail I came upon some day hikers who were very pleasant and told me of Indian Flats Falls, just ahead and to the right, down an unmarked spur. This was worth the detour of only about 150 yards and as I'm sure the couple I'd met new, it makes a great destination for a 8 mile+(RT) day hike. Indian Flats Falls (see pic) consist of at least three large falls cascading down into the Indian Flats Prong w/ lots of rocks to sit or lay on while appreciating the peace. All these "prongs" end up playing parts in forming the Little River. I took a few pictures and returned to the trail and up just a little bit connected to the Greenbriar Ridge Trail.

Greenbriar Ridge Trail continued the noticeable ascent up Davis Ridge which had just become more obvious of an incline back about 1/2 mile or so, as the previous trail ended w/ some consecutive switchbacks. Greenbriar Ridge was pleasant trail, one I'd rate as difficult for the novice, as the next 4 miles we're gaining some serious elevation. The Derrick Knob shelter, which is only 3/10's of a mile from where Greenbriar Ridge intersects w/ the AT, sits at 4890'.
Upon my arrival at the shelter I met, what would be the only other guest here, Josh and Shannon. They were old friends and it seems Josh, an AT sectional hiker had convinced his friend, who had never backpacked before, to join him. I wonder if they're still talkng? Ha, ha, As they were in the middle of, what is described by some, as the most difficult section of the AT and were hiking the next day through to Mt. Collins which meant some serious stuff! Hey guys please tell us how it went! I thanked Josh the next morning for introducing his friend to the Wild before they departed, and complimented Shannon for meeting the challenge. Rock on!

So, after reading in 'Hiking Trails of The Smokies', about how difficult the next 6.3 miles of the AT would be I quickly dismissed it as information for the beginner hikers, such as one of my new friends from Alabama. HAAAA! I'm the novice!! How little I really know. The AT between Derrick Knob and Spence Field was some serious "Stuff". I suggest reading about it in the previously mentioned text (p86-87) and heed any notes of practicality about the section to be hiked. Not that I did mind you, but I'm paying for it today. Well, that and another not so well thought out decision but more about that in a minute. Along this part of the AT there was no water basically, until you reach Beechnut Gap, at this point there is an obvious spur down off the AT to a big; at least on this day, broad, flowing spring. I passed a group of folks here who seemed to have been here before and were very pleasant as we shared greetings, etc... .
All along this portion of the AT, my excursion was very rewarding w/ the spectacular views both east into North Carolina, w/ Fontana Lake off in the distance, and west back over Tennessee, and Cades Cove (see pic). Throughout this there were "ups and downs" along the trail and most "ups" without switchbacks and involved often steep, extended inclines. Now I'm no light wieght yet these were/are strong challenges to ones strength, endurance, and determination, at times. How many of you reading this have hiked here, or somewhere similar, and asked yourself while in the middle of it "What the _____ am I doing?" Only to be smiling a few moments later as you look over a cliff at the valley below and answer your question w/ an affirmative smile and saying "because I love this"। Whatever "this" is. Endorphins, solitude, peace... . OK, so I get to the turn off for Bote Mtn. trail, 2/10's of a mile from the Spence Field shelter; which I checked out, and I have been toying w/ the thought of completeing my walk out today. I didn't do anything smart like review my map or consider what I had just accomplished and went w/ it, my initial thought, thinking "oh, the next 6 miles won't be a problem, heck it's all down hill, 20 minute miles and I'll be out before dark". After 1.7 miles into my descent I look at the map as I arrive at the crossroad w/ Anthony Creek trail to get a bearing on my estimated time of arrival and begin to realize what a potentially serious miscalcualtion I had made. It was just over 10 miles, not 6, out along Bote Mtn., to the West Prong trail and out to my car. Being the stubborn person I am sometimes, I marched on re-adjusting my ETA by at least an hour.
Practicing lots of acceptance about "who's responsiblity" it was for where I was at that moment. I enjoyed the trail and the various levels and types of forest I passed through, again see the previous referenced text, (p129). Upon reaching campsite #18, I was rejuvenated knowing I had "only" 2.7 miles to go, though this was tempered by a camper I spoke w/ breifly as I passed who told me it was "just over the top of that little mountain and then it's just down from there". Well "Them there" natural pain killers kicked in and I gotter done! Despite some developing blisters, sore legs and occasional personal mental abuse about some of my descisions that day, I was very pleased w/ what I had accomplished and offered lots of "thanks to the spirits that be", for the opportunity to experience what had been allowed me that day. Peace

Tremont/West Prong

This hike begins in the parking area on the right side of the road just before the main Tremont Complex. The trail splits soon after it starts w/ the main route being to the left, and a spur to 'Walker Valley Cemetary', going to the right. The West Prong trail is a steady incline from the very beginning and continued going up throughout the duration of my being on it. As I walked there was water to be found if needed and several other stream beds dry, apparently due to drought. Some of these dry streams would have wonderful water falls when running even partially. At what I thought was the the second turn-off to campsite #18; later I learned, by consulting the book,"Hiking Trails of The Smokies" ('03)that this was another unmarked trail which created a large loop around the cemetary and back to the trail head. I followed that trail from the split and enjoyed some views as well as open areas that were big enough to remain partially clear even during the summer for meditation and relaxing. I crossed over and around some mounds of dirt and rock that apeared to have been left from previous settlements or Tremont developments. Another something I'll ask about or research at Sugarlands and edit this, or report on. The trail dropped off and around the front of some knobs, into a large drainage that had water running, and was at one point buried in fallen trees and sided by a rocky face. The last quarter mile or so of this trail was parallel to and above the Middle prong creek that feeds the Little River. The approximate distance of this improvised loop was around 2.5 miles. Moderate to difficult terrian.