Flipper Bend Trail - N. Chickamauga Creek WMA State Natural Area

Flipper Bend Loop: 9.0 miles
Clear Branch Long Loop: 4.9 miles
Powerline x 2: 1.46 miles
Total Miles 15.36

Lora and I headed back to the N. Chickamauga Creek WMA State Natural Area to finish the trails in that area.  We needed to finish the Flipper Bend Loop and hike Clear Branch Long Loop.  

There are no longer any signs at the trailhead and the kiosk no longer has anything on it.  It is sad that people feel the need to destroy things and really they get nothing out of it either.

The first leg of all the trails from the parking area to the loops is a mix of old road bed and trail.  You really have to watch the trail marking to stay on the right trail as there is many old road beds and trails.  When you get to the loops you will find the first sign on the trail.

Our first loop was the Flipper Bend Loop and we did it clockwise or at least tried to.  We followed the trail to the powerlines and that was the end of the markings.  It just ends at the powerline road with no marking to which way you are supposed to go.  We searched and searched for another marking, but found none.  Lora made a call and they said to just follow the powerlines East to the overlook, so we did.  Just before we got to the overlook we crossed the other side of the loop trail.  It actually had a trail marker on the powerline post and across the clearing on the trees.

We enjoyed the Powerline overlook and did some off trail across the top of Powerline Falls and to another overlook on the far side.  This is where we ate our lunch.

After lunch we hiked back to where the trail crossed the clearing and took the top part of the trail now counter clockwise to see where we missed the markings on the far side.  This section of the trail follows the Chickamauga Creek Gorge.  There is a side trail that looks like a campsite which is actually the Pocket Wilderness Overlook described in the trail description.  All of this section is clearly marked mainly over rolling hills.  There is also a very large rock out in the middle of the forest that the trail goes by too.

When we finally came out on the powerlines again we were 0.12 mile East of where we came out of the woods on the original loop.  So if you were hiking the Flipper Bend Loop going clockwise, when you get to the powerline turn East or right and go down the hill and up the other side which is about halfway between the two powerline structures.  The trail then goes North or left into the woods.  If you are hiking the loop counterclockwise, then when you come out on the powerline turn West or right and go 0.12 mile and turn South or left and enter the woods. 

We then followed the power lines back to the overlook and continued the loop.  When we came to the Clear Branch loop we took it to the Clear Branch Long loop which starts right after you cross Clear Branch. The 4.9 mile Clear Branch Loop follows the bluff line for some really beautiful views and then circles back on old roadbed through the woods.  There is a sign at the beginning of the loop.  We followed the trail back to the Flipper Bend access trail back to the car.  It was a long but beautiful hiking day.

Trail Descriptions:

Map: 

Pictures:

Canyon Falls - CT

We started today at Hwy 111, Jones Gap Road Cumberland trailhead. We ate our lunch at Ritchy Ridge Falls and then hiked down the trail until we could hear the falls.  On the way we had to cover up a short cut people had started on one of the corners of the trail.

We climbed down the side of the bluff until we could get our eyes on the falls.  It is actually more of a Cascade.  We took pictures from different angles then climbed back up to the trail.  We met another couple who was hiking the Cumberland trail for the first time so gave them some information.

We continued in a light rain that was off and on to the Big Possum bridge.  After we crossed the bridge we stayed on the road bed and walked along the creek to see where the Blanchard creek joined the Big Possum.  If you were to hike to the bottom of the falls, this would be the way to go.  Cross the Big Possum and follow the Blanchard back up to the base of the falls.

We headed back, picking up trash, and trying our new saw out on some branches hanging over the trail.  Another great day on the CT.

Pictures:

Upper & Lower Piney Falls SNA

I hiked today with the Plateau Chapter TTA. Lisa Huff, Director of TN State Natural Areas was leading an Ice Castle Hike for TTA. Only the warmer temps didn't quite agree on the Ice part.

I drove to Grandview Mt to meet them. The SNA is on Firetower Road off Hwy 68. This one lane road leads to the firetower, and the parking area for the Falls trail is on the right just before you reach the firetower. I was looking for a big brown sign stating this was the State Natural Area; all I saw was a small white sign nailed to a tree. Piney Falls on an arrow. Just a few minutes later all the hikers arrived.

We walked up to the firetower to get a closer look. The fence around it had a locked gate so we weren't tempted to climb it. Lisa pulled in and we gathered around to listen to her tell us about the area. We also heard some sandhill cranes cooing. They were circling in the sky above us. We started down the trail to the falls, everybody happy for the warm temps and sunshine. We have all been missing the Vitamin D. We took the trail to the top of the Upper falls just to see how much water was coming down the creek. The trail crosses the creek above the top of the falls but we didn't go that way. Craig and I will have to check that out on another day. We then took the trail down to the lower part of the Upper falls. Then hiked to the Lower Falls. There was a little ice at the bottom of the Lower falls that was still pretty thick. You can hike behind the falls here and the pool at the bottom would be a great swimming hole, but not today. Lisa found some interesting fossils for us. There are some limbs of trees that were trapped in the rocks and over the years petrified. She pointed out a couple of those and then pointed out a fossil in the rock that had a really cool pattern.

We hiked back to the parking lot and Lisa left us to go to work on a grant. We told her we appreciated all her hard work so we can enjoy all these Natural Areas in Tennessee. The group decided they needed some more time in the woods so we drove down the mountain to the Piney River Trail. We had lunch in the picnic area by the river soaking up the sunshine. We hiked up the trail to the Twin Rocks spur trail. At the rocks, the ladder is missing the first 3 rungs. The guys started up and I climbed up the rocks to see if that would be easier for us. It wasn't but I made it with a little rock climbing. When I got on top I noticed red spots all over my pants leg and was looking where I climbed up to see what I had gone thru, too early for berries......I pulled my pants leg up and it was BLOOD........Sports Injury! I had a tiny little cut on my knee that managed to look like I was really injured from all the blood. I wiped it off and we climbed down the ladder, helping each other get safely down despite the missing rungs.

 One of our hikers had started down the trail ahead of us. When we reached the parking lot, she wasn't there. We started speculating on where she could be. After 10 minutes we decided she must have went the wrong way at the junction. I went up the main trail to look for her hoping she had come that way, while two others hiked back toward the Twin Rocks. I got to where the upper spur connected to the main trail, blew my whistled and yelled her name, no sign or sound of her. I hiked back down hoping she was with the others.....no luck. The other two searchers got to the connection and hiked further on the main trail blowing whistles and yelling her name. They stopped and called us in the parking lot to see if we needed to call for help to search, as they were on the phone, the stray hiker was walking toward them from up the trail. Whew! She had indeed taken the wrong split coming down from the Twin Rocks. When she got to the main trail she turned left instead of right.
So happy to see them coming down the trail into the parking lot, we cheered and were so thankful it turned out all right. So many things can happen when people get separated on a hiking trail. Trying to figure how to find them can be a challenge, after hiking folks are tired, may not have enough water, may not be carrying the essentials, or cell phone (if you could get a signal) or know the area. Staying together, RULE #1, Stopping at junctions to wait on everyone RULE # 1.....there are a lot of RULE # 1's just ask Craig.

We would have stopped at the Blistered Chicken on the way out, to celebrate with a little refreshment but they weren't open.
Thanks to Lisa Huff, Bill Harris and the Plateau hikers, it was a beautiful day of hiking with great folks.

Pictures:

TTA Backpack North Chick Segment - Cumberland Trail

Day one: 5.9
Montlake Rd to Stevenson's Branch campsite

Day two: 10.79
Stevenson's Branch campsite to parking 3.33
Parking to Montlake Rd. 7.46

Total Miles: 16.69

Murfreesboro TTA members Sara, Marco, Wayne, and I with Lora and Chuck from Soddy Daisy TTA, did an overnighter on the North Chickamauga Segment of the Cumberland Trail.  The young lady that picked this section from Memphis could not make it because she got "bit by a owl"?  Had "knee problems" or whatever reason, anyway we missed her company.

We met at the Montlake road trailhead and headed in taking the Hog skin lower loop after we got Chucks keys out of his car.  By the time we made it to the overlook past the stairs, we were ready for lunch.  The next section was old road bed that was covered with blow downs.  The real challenge starts at the cable crossing.

At the cable crossing, a tree was down in the middle of the creek on the cable.  Chuck went across first and whipped out a saw that would make a young girl blush.  He quickly cut limbs to make a safer crossing.  The cable is actually broke on the far side, being held in place by where the tree had grown around the cable.  It was a wet crossing for some and and an old fashion foot washing for the rest.

After the crossing there is another cable to help you get down to the ladder.  The cable came up and hit Marco's pack just right to completely empty one of his packs' pockets.  The stove and other contents went rolling down the hill.  The stand for his stove fell off the edge and was rescued by Chuck.

From the ladder down to Chickamauga creek was steep and slippery.  Everyone was excited to see the campsite and then quickly disappointed when I notified them that this was not the campsite we were staying at.  I think there was a competition between Sara and Wayne to see who could see the most worms as they both spent lots of time on the ground looking?

After we got to Stevenson's Branch campsite, we set up camp and collected firewood.  We spent a little time inspecting each others camping gear and then we sat around the campfire eating dinner.  The night was spent telling lies and taking cough medicine.

The next morning Wayne volunteered to watch camp while the rest of us did a day hike to the far end of the trail.  After a good old fashion foot washing in Stevenson's branch we did the switch backs up the side of the gorge.  We were very impressed with the trail work and design on this part of the trail.  Probably the best switch backs on the Cumberland trail.  We took a break at the overlook and then went to the parking area.

We got to see Panther Branch falls which had good water at it.  On the way back we stopped at the overlook again and ate our lunch.  We got back to camp where Wayne was glad we made it back.  We packed up and headed out.  Chuck went ahead and cleaned up a lot of the wind falls we had to climb over on the way in.  Sara and Wayne continued their competition as we went.  Marco got the award for the best fall as he was doing the cable crossing.  He got extra points for water coverage.  We saw a few hikers and trail runners on the way out.

Our wildlife consisted of a Bald Eagle and a mouse that ate Wayne's walking stick strap.

Great hike with some great people!

Pictures:

CT Volunteer Hike - Rock Creek Segment

Lora McBride, Bob DeHart, TC Varner, Judy Varner, Shauna Wilson, Larry Hill, Caroline Woerner, Carol Deakins, and Don Deakins made a hike we have done many times before but it never gets old, Rock Creek. We met at Upper Leggett Road Trailhead, then shuttled over to Retro Hughes Road Trailhead where hike began. After 5.4 miles at a casual pace, we were back at Upper Leggett Road Trailhead and discussing what might be next.

Bob's Pictures:

Don's Pictures: 

Obed Segment CT - Daddys Creek

Day One: 7.1
Day Two: 7.1
Total Miles: 14.2

Well we finally got a chance to go back to the Obed Segment of the Cumberland Trail to finish this segment. We started at Daddy's Creek or Devils Breakfast Table trailhead and headed East to camp at the same spot we camped a few years ago coming in from the other side.

When we got to the parking area, we found it full of kayakers which was surprising because it was so cold. We finally got some good documentation on miles between points at the Kiosk.  No maps have all the labels nor the miles written on them which we have been disappointed with.

The trail goes through the Daddys Creek Gorge along the bluff walls and then rises on top for some beautiful overlooks.  The rock formations are wonderful all through this hike.  You drop back down into the Obed Gorge and follow an old train rail bed along the river.  You go up Turkey Creek gorge where you find the beautiful Bills Falls at the second bridge.  The limbs are over grown in front of the falls and I had to get Lora to hold some down while I took a picture of the falls.  You continue along the Obed river and there is some flat areas that show no signs of camping that are marked "camp" on one map.  From there you climb back out of the gorge at Anvil Rock and continue along the edge of the gorge.  We stopped at a no name creek that we camped at before between the Obed Overlook and the Omigod Overlook at 7.1 miles.

Just as when we hiked the other side, you have to really look for the trail markers so you stay on the trail.  We removed numerous trees, branches, and broke limbs to clear the trail as we hiked.  This is a very beautiful trail that really needs hikers on it to keep it maintained.  There is a lot of chainsaw work and lopper work to be done.  I could not talk Lora into carrying either tool for some reason.  Just before we got to our camping spot we saw new trail markers.  Hopefully the other side has been cleared as well as marked since we hiked it.

We did have some slick areas where the icicles had been melting and refreezing on the ground.  On the way out we passed a couple that was day hiking.

Pictures:

TTA - John Litton to Leatherwood Ford

Upper Cumberland scheduled a hike in Big South Fork, I signed up, Craig was working (somebody has to). I met the others in Clarkrange. We drove to Leatherwood Ford and left a car, then drove to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and chatted with the Ranger. I asked about trail extensions toward Honey Creek and he reported the trail work had started and was flagged for a way. It will be great to have the O&W area connected to Honey Creek. Future plans hopefully will include connecting the Sheltowee Trace with the Cumberland Trail either in Wartbug or Frozen Head. How exciting!

We started the John Litton Farm Loop at the trailhead by the swimming pool. In the parking lot we talked with Steve Barbour Director of the Sheltowee Trace Association. He was waiting for a group of backpackers to come down the trail (about 20 of them). I mentioned Craig and the Outcasts and he said Yes I know the Outcasts, tell them I said Hi.

We got started and as always in BSF the trail was beautiful. There was a lot of ice left from the cold weather earlier in the week. Lots of icicles hanging from the rocks and bluff walls especially along the creek, and they were melting. Watch out! Lots had already crashed along the trail. The ladders weren't icy, just wet. We saw a few trees that had been chewed on by beaver. After a few miles we started meeting the STA backpackers. Lots of nice folks, a few kids among the adults. We knew the one bringing up the tailend, Curt, and stopped to chat with him. We hiked our way up to the top of the bluff on the Grand Loop trail. We stopped at the overlook where Craig and I got married and Gary took my picture and I said "I still do"  The wind had picked up and when we got to our lunch spot, Angel Falls Overlook, we had to brace ourselves against the wind and gusts, and try to keep our lunch from blowing away. Richard had baked some awesome persimmon walnut bread and shared it with us. Yummy. The views of the Cumberland River from here are beautiful.

We headed back to the trail junction and started down along the bluff heading back toward the river. Another ladder and some icy rocks made it a little challenging. Gary watched to make sure we got past the challenging section, I went on down the trail and across the creek on the bridge. I saw Gary coming down the ridge and kept thinking he would catch up to me, I take two steps for each one of his. Next thing I knew there was Gary ahead of me taking to Richard and I said "what the.....how did you get in front of me?" He said he can fly. He must have crashed cause he was a little muddy. He had crossed the creek on a log and scooted his way across. The log was slicker than he thought. Anyway we got to the Leatherwood Ford crossing and the hiker bridge was closed for repairs, part of it had washed away. We hiked up to the road, crossed the bridge and back to the parking lot.

Another great BSF hike and good friends to hike with. Thanks Richard, Gary, Pete and Cathy.

Pictures:

AT - Max Patch to Devil Fork Gap

Day One: 7.5 Miles

We met Dad and Mom in Knoxville and headed to Devil Fork Gap to drop off our car.  We dropped off the car and then headed back to Max Patch Road to drop us off at the trailhead there.  We got on the trail at 2:00 pm.

Our first people were at Max Patch 0.8 mile down the trail.  We met a lady hiker that is with the Nashville Meet Up Group who was up here celebrating her parents 50th anniversary with family from all over.  That was one of many, many day hikers up on the Bald.  We went over the bald and met a rabbit hunter in the woods.  They had gotten six rabbits so far that day.  After leaving him, it started sprinkling on us and we ended up hiking in rain gear.  The wind started blowing and we were thinking that we didn't really want to spend the night on top of a mountain in this weather.  By the time we got to the Walnut Mountain Shelter, the wind was about blowing us off the trail.

There was a couple of folks standing by the fire in front of the shelter and when we peeked inside there were eight beady eyes looking back at us.  There were two tents set up out back of the shelter.  We were invited to stand next to the fire to warm up or I guess get whatever heat you could in this wind.  We looked around and then down the side of the mountain at a flat spot by the spring.  It did not take us long to make up our mind and get out of the wind.  We set up our tent by the spring.  It was still raining and we could hear the wind howling over the mountain above our heads.  We ended up cooking and eating in the tent that night.

Day Two:  13.1 Miles

The wind had stopped and the rain was mostly over with lots dropping off the trees when we got up.  We ate breakfast in the tent and then packed up.  When we got up to the shelter, the guys were up and wet.  They said that the rain blew right into the shelter and through the sides.  They said that we were the smart ones, which came as no big surprise to us:)  They were going to Hot Springs.  They were planning on staying another night at Deer Park Mt. Shelter, but were just going to hike out with wet gear.

We stopped at Garenflo Gap for lunch and to dry equipment out.  As we were packing back up a group of Boy Scouts went by.  Later, we would find out that this was the same group that we met last night.  We visited with them numerous times as we leap frogged them on the trail.

As the day continued the sky cleared up and we had some better views.  Before long we were viewing Hot Springs from above.  We hiked into town, checking out the hiker's hostels.  We stopped at the Smoky Mountain Diner to find that they close at 4 pm on Sunday.  They we're very friendly and stayed open for us as it was 4 now.  We had the Hungry Hiker burgers and they were great!  We visited with one of the owners ,Genia, who has section hiked 800 miles of the AT.

After dinner we went down to the Hot Springs Resort and Spa to get a campsite.  We stopped at the store and they sent us across the street to the Spa where we saw our Boy Scouts again.  They were going in for a soak.  We got our site and then hiked back over to the campground.  We bought fire wood from the store and enjoyed the night.  The only draw back of the campground is the train that goes right by it.  Luckily for us we only got woke up one time through the night.

Day Three:  12.5 Miles

It had sprinkled through the night, so we had a wet tent again.  We got up, ate, and started hiking.  We crossed the French Broad river and then hiked along side it.  The trail turns and you get to climb a steep 1500 ft climb which has a lot of overlooks.  We managed to hike up into the clouds which lasted the rest of the day.  No views for us!  We knew we were in some beautiful area's too.  

At Pump Gap there is a concrete dam holding back a small pond.  There are benches around the pond area and some fields on the other side.  This is the Mill Ridge Wildlife Management Area.  Then you hike the gravel road before you hike the bridge over 70.  We stopped on this climb for lunch and Lora surprised me with a burrito.  It sure was good!  A couple hiked passed us while we were eating.  We saw them again as they were coming down from the tower on Rich Mountain.  We didn't bother to go to the tower as we were still in the clouds.  It was cool seeing all the trees covered with ice as we climbed and descended the mountains.

We stopped by the Spring Mountain shelter and decided to continue to Deep Gap for the night.  There is a blue blazed trail down to Little Paint Creek where I got our water.  It is a pretty good climb back up and after we set up our camp I found that I had lost my inflatable seat.  It was getting dark and everything was covered in ice.  We ate in the tent again and called it a night.

Day Four:  12.4 Miles

We got up to a very cold morning.  I hiked back down to the creek and found my seat about twenty feet from the creek.  It was a good morning warm up for me.  We headed out climbing Buzzard Roost Ridge then descended once again to cross 70 at Allen Gap.  Now we get to climb 2400 feet to Camp Creek Bald.  We stopped just short of the Little Laurel shelter for lunch.  We hung things out to refreeze while we ate.  A couple of ladies where hiking down and passed us by.

Camp Creek Bald has a tower on it, but you cannot climb it.  We just hiked on.  There is a good campsite just the other side with water.  Soon you can see Jones Meadow and the White Rocks which form a cliff wall.  There is a side trail to a good view off the top of the White Rocks.  There is a trail to the road to Jones Meadow where there were some hunters.  We checked out the Blackstack Cliffs too from another side trail with thick overgrowth.  You could see the bluff rocks the trail was going to climb up to Big Firescald Bald.  There is a side trail around Firescald to take in bad weather and I would suggest using it for that.  Firescald is a boulder ridgeline a mile and quarter long.  It is a challenge to maneuver over all the boulders and rocky climbs in good weather.  It is worth the work for the views.  You can see over many mountains from on top.  It was really challenging for us after a long day of hiking.  We decided to call it a night at the first campsite with water which ended up being Lick Log Gap.

I tried and tried to get something to burn for a fire, but ended up just eating in the tent and calling it a night.

Day Five:  10.1 Miles

We got up and hiked to the Jerry Cabin shelter for breakfast.  Yes, we had a snack before we left.  It gave us shelter and a good water source.  As we ate, some hunting dogs walked by.  We climbed Coldspring Mountain to find a very long grassy bald.  We walked through other fields and got to see "Big Rock".  There is a side trail to the rock, but it goes all the way around the rock and back to the main trail.  The Big rock is just a big rock and the views are not very much to see.  From there we started our road walking which is the longest road walk so far on the AT.  Its old gravel road, but it is road. It went up Big Butt which is our 300 miles on the AT mark.

The decent to Flint Gap is a major steep 1000 foot drop.  We ate lunch in the Gap and then climbed to the Flint Mountain shelter which is in the best shape of all the shelters in this section.

The rest of our hike was pretty and level walking.  We only saw birds for wildlife and probably four different memorials for thru hikers that have died.  Not sure why they are all on this section?

Total Miles:  55.6 Miles

Pictures:
      

AT - Newfound Gap to Max Patch

DAY ONE: 3 Miles

We pack up the Subaru and head over to Lora's parents house.  We pull in the driveway and the squealing starts.  The power steering is jerking the steering wheel.  Not a good sign.  Looks like a belt issue, so back to the house and transfer everything over to the Honda.  It's Thanksgiving day and after a wonderful meal with Lora's family we head out to the Smoky's.  This is the third day that Newfound Gap Road has been closed due to snow.  We are planning on them opening it up before we get there.  We call again and as of 2:30pm they have the road open and we finish our drive.  At 4:30pm we get on the trail in six inches of snow heading to Icewater Spring shelter.

We know that with the storm we will have the shelter to ourselves, but as we get there right at dark we can smell the smoke.  There are twelve people at the shelter before us.  Two of them set up a tent to make room.  All of them had been out at least one night and were heading out the next day, except two which were heading to Fontana Lake.  They had said that the night before it had gotten down to eight degrees and  the drifts were higher.  Two of them had come from Davenport Gap so we would have tracks to follow in the snow.

Lora and I had brought turkey, eggs, and rolls from our Thanksgiving lunch for our dinner.  Needless to say it was a noisy night.

DAY TWO: 12.6 Miles

We got up and headed out after a good breakfast.  Right at the start we came across a yearling deer who really didn't care that we were there.  The views were wonderful and everything was covered with snow.  When we got to Charlies Bunion the snow had refroze into ice and we had to very careful along the cliffs.  The views were spectacular and this is still my favorite part of the park.  We ran into the two that camped in the tent here and they were heading back towards Mt. LeConte where they started.  They changed their plans with the snow.

We continued on with Porters Gap, took in Bradley's View, climbed both Mt. Sequoyah and Mt. Chapman.  We kicked up Grouse three different times.   A few miles from Tri- Corner Knob we came across a thru hiker and then a French couple.  The French couple said that they had come across some bear tracks in the snow.

We had Tri-Corner Knob shelter to ourselves.  We had to search for our firewood and then when we got a flame going it just would not burn.  We did manage to dry out some socks before giving up and going to bed.

Something comes to mind here.  I know our government is not run by the brightest people.  I know our laws are not the smartest.  But why can they not use some common sense every now and then?  There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the shelters on the AT in the Smoky's.  Really people?  Why is our country broke?

DAY THREE: 14.8 Miles

Today we start out with Mt. Guyot.  Between Mt. Guyot and Old Black Mt. we come across the bear tracks in the snow.  Yep, they are still up high.  We stopped for lunch on Camel Hump Knob where there is a great view of Balsam Mountain.  We had missed the wreckage of the F-4 in the snow.  Here we also meet a proud "Peak Bagger" of the Smoky's.  He had peaked all the of mountain peaks over 6000ft in the Smoky's and was now doing all the ones over 5000ft.

The next people we saw was a couple coming down from the Mt. Cammerer tower as we were climbing up.  After Mt. Cammerer we headed on to Davenport Gap Shelter which is pretty much all down hill.  This shelter is the last one in the Smoky's that still has the cage on the front.  They had originally put cages on the front of all the shelters to keep the bears out.  So people do what people do and they were feeding the bears through the cages.  So the park had to remove them.  I assume that this shelter still has it because this is the only camping area in the Smoky's without bear hangers.

We got a good fire going tonight and dried all socks and boots out.  I did a little too good of a job on the socks and we had a couple of burns.  Well after dark a couple of thru hikers came to the shelter.  Delta and Sherpa were their trail names.  We visited on through the evening and then called it a night.

DAY FOUR:  10.5 Miles

Our goal for today was now Groundhog Creek Shelter since we made such good mileage yesterday.  This is the first time we have ever hiked out of the Smoky's and kept on hiking.  Usually we get in the car and drive home.

After you cross the State Line branch, the Pigeon River, and I-40 the climb is on.  You go from 1500 feet to topping Snowbird Mountain at 4263 feet.  We passed the thru hiker "Captain" and a dozen more today.  We also met a family of seven and their dog who were out on a nine day backpack.  The youngest was around seven years old.  It is so good to see families that still hike together on the trail.  We also got to watch a six point buck who was not afraid of us just grazing through the woods.

There is a FAA tower on top of Snowbird Mt. with a gravel road going all the way around it.  From the road you can see forever off all sides of the mountains.  It is so cool to look back at the Smoky's and See Max Patch off the other direction.  On our descent we passed a trail runner and some more thru hikers.

When we got to the bottom of Deep Gap, Lora took me on a tour of the springs off to the West which afterwards we had to go back and go East to the shelter.  She is always looking for an adventure.  We collected wood and ate dinner when "Sparks 2 Fire" came hiking in carrying firewood with her.  That's the type of hiker you like to see coming into camp.  She kept us entertained for the evening.  After we had gone to bed it rained a few times during the night.

DAY FIVE:  5.6 Miles              

After an entertaining morning with Sparks we headed out.  We got some steep climbs in and the temperature kept dropping.  A couple of more thru hikers and we climbed from 2850 feet to 4380 feet to Max Patch Road.  The last thru hiker we talked to said that there was someone looking for us up ahead.  He had talked to our good friend and shuttle man Ray.

We ate lunch with Ray in Gatlinburg and then he took us back to our car at Newfound Gap.  When we got back there we found that a mouse had spent some time in the car chewing up a Kleenex.  Another great hike!

TOTAL MILES:  46.5

Pictures:

Rock Creek Segment - CT

Lora and I decided to take a day hike on the Cumberland trail.  It was a cool down for me after my Georgia Loop and Lora's regular hiking date.


We went to the Rock Creek segment and hiked the six miles to the bridge and back.

Pictures: