Ladies Spring Backpack 2018

Ladies Spring Backpack 2018

We started out our plan with 7 ladies, due to unforeseen circumstances Plan A went to Plan B. Then on the way to the Smokies,to Plan C when another lady cancelled. Plan D when 4 of us met for lunch and discussed weather, bears, thru hikers and shelters. We left Sara's car at Tremont and drove to Elkmont to start out on Jake's Creek. There was a fine display of wildflowers along the way. Plan D changed to E on the way up Miry Ridge. Three of us made it to campsite 26, got set up. Gathered  water and firewood and had a fine evening around the campfire. After more discussion about mileage, shelters and the forecast, Plan E went to F.

We went to bed and listened to the wind howl and screech and howl. All night long it sent gusts making the tarp flap and press against my hammock. tick tock. Earplugs blocked out most of the noise and I woke up at daylight, Sara and I planning to hike on up to the AT to Greenbriar Ridge and down to Tremont, 12 miles. No sleep last night for Sara, so Plan G? so I put on my boots and left most of my gear at camp and hiked the rest of Miry Ridge to the AT and back to camp in two hours. Record time for me doing 6 miles in the Smokies. Along the way I heard a grouse making the thump thump thump noise, heard a turkey gobble, saw one of the biggest burls on a tree I have ever seen. Climbed over and around 12 trees down in the trail.

Back at camp, packed up, said our goodbyes to Nancy, she started down Miry back to Jake's Creek and Elkmont; Sara and I hiked to Lynn Camp Prong and went down, down, down, seeing hillsides blanketed with wildflowers, to the junction with Middle Prong where we saw horses and riders. Then lots and lots of hikers, fishermen, and more hikers out enjoying this beautiful day. We stopped to wet our bandannas a few times. The parking lot was full, we went a little way down the road and stopped by the creek to soak our feet in the cool water.

We stopped for ice cream in Townsend. Good idea Sara. Mmmmm traditional ending for a backpack (well for me anyway)

Wildflowers seen:
Lots of Violets that Nancy and Judi named.
Spring Beauties, Trout Lily, Bishops Cap, Wild Phlox, Bellwort, Mandarin, Sweet White Trillium, Showy Orchis, Toothwort, Foam Flower, Chickweed,Anemone, Mayapple, Fringed Phacelia, Wild Ginger, Trailing Arbutus, Dutchman's Breeches, Solomon's Seal, and False SS, Seersucker Sedge, Golden Alexander, Dwarf ginseng.

Pictures: