AT - US 321 to Damascus, VA

Day One: 7.1 miles
U.S. 321 to spring after Wilbur Dam road

Day Two: 9.9
Spring to Spring after Monument

Day Three: 11.6
Spring to Double Springs Gap

Day Four: 11.4
Double Springs to Spring before Damascus

Day Five: 1.9
Spring to downtown Damascus.
Total Miles: 41.9

We met Mom and Dad in Damascus Virginia and got our car registered to leave in the parking lot by the old Mill. We took the extended trip to the trailhead on U.S. 321 because I missed a turn. With Love and brownies we headed off.

We walked around the lake and across the dam seeing lots of wildflowers and a few day hikers. We noticed a sailboat out on the lake and thought about my brother in Michigan. He should have his out by now (Smile).

We climbed up the ridge and got some good views from above of the lake. We camped at the first spring after Wilbur Dam road for the night. Lora stumbled and fell over a rock while looking at the spring. No damage other than hurt pride. We got to listen to owls during the night while we sat around the fire.

Day Two:
Lots of views from the ridge line that we hiked. We passed two more shelters and checked out the Nick Grindstaff Monument, which was for a famous hermit. I don't know how he got famous, but I guess he pulled it off. We camped at the spring just past it. It started to rain just as we were ready to make dinner, so we cooked and ate under the shelter. We had already started the fire, so after dinner when the rain stopped, we got to spend some time enjoying the fire.

Day Three:
The rain had quit by the time we got out of bed. We got packed up and hiked in the fog for awhile and then it cleared up for some more sights. When we were taking a break at the Double Springs shelter, a thru hiker from Montana stopped in. We enjoyed a visit with him and learned that most of the thru hikers were well behind us. We saw him again at Double Springs Gap where we spent the night. He and six of his buddies went on to the next shelter.

Day Four:
Today we saw the foundation from where a fire tower stood on McQueens Knob. We also saw the oldest and smallest shelters just past there. We saw more thru hikers today and other backpackers heading south. Then the celebration for us at the Virginia State Line! Three states down....??? to go. We camped at the spring just out from Damascus.

Day Five:
Just a short hike today to down town Damascus. We visited the hiker supply store just because we could.

Pictures: 

Deep Creek - Smoky Mt. Hiking Club

I drove to Bryson City to meet up with SMHC for a Deep Creek overnight. Tim and Steve picked me up. Lynn had started on a different trail to meet up with us at the campsite. We drove thru Cherokee to 441, to the upper trailhead for Deep Creek. The trail dropped steeply and we crossed little streams. Campsite 53 was in much better condition than the last time I saw it, no trash left behind. Then more streams, all heading toward Deep Creek. We did have to switch to water shoes a couple of times. We found Lynn at campsite 55 with her tent already set up. #55 is a large site/horse camp; but it was clean and had two sets of bear cables. The set up for the horses was broken down but still had rubber mats. Steve and I had to search a little for perfectly spaced trees for our hammocks, lots of trees, some too close ,some too far apart, finally just right (read Goldilocks and the Three Bears). We decided we didn’t have enough time to hike the Pole Road Creek trail before dark, so we gathered firewood and kicked back for a while. The moon came up and we had a nice fire and watched some stars pop out.

Our plans were to get up EARLY and start, we were all awake at 5:30 but managed to go back to sleep till daylight. Got a fire going and packed up, hung our packs and started Pole Creek with water and snacks; except for Lynn who after Pole Creek was heading out Noland Divide. We left her and started out. We crossed Deep Creek on a nice long bridge. The first crossing of Pole Creek was too high to rock hop, so Steve demonstrated his balancing technique on a tree that had fallen across the creek. I was carrying my water bottle and pitched it across to free up my hands in case I needed to crawl across the tree.  (did I mention I throw like a girl) only to have it land on the rocks, the lid popped off, Steve grabbed it up and saved a little bit of my water. We had a lot of creek crossings, with one more big tree in just the right place, flat, Tim assured us, with spongy moss covering it, no slick places. Sweet!

We arrived at the junction of Noland Divide/Noland Creek only to have Lynn catch us with her full pack, dry shoes. Back down, crossed creeks again, back at camp, lunch, packs on. Tim went back across the creek to look for signs of an old manway. He had gotten an email from a man who remembers the trail from the 1940’s, and gave Tim clues to search for.

Then we started down. Only it’s up and down. You follow Deep Creek sometimes right beside it, sometimes way up above it, brings back memories of the Lakeshore Trail.  We met a group from Ohio heading to #55, they will appreciate the firewood we left. The road walk had nice bridges and some Tonka Toys and Tom Branch Falls was really pretty. Lots of hikers on this section, with three waterfalls not far from the parking lot. Lynn had already finished her trail and was gone.

After a 13.6 mile hike it felt really good to sit in the car for the ride back to the upper trailhead. When we got to 441 there was a flashing sign “441 closed due to snow and ice.” Uh oh. We were hoping they had forgot to turn off the sign, but found a barricade further up the road with a Ranger turning people around. Cars coming down the mountain had snow on them??? Plan B: We asked the Ranger if we could go up to get Tim’s truck. He offered to drive one of us up, but had to wait for another Ranger to get there to direct traffic. Steve and I waited for them to get up there and back. When Tim go back his truck was covered with snow. Drove back to Cherokee, and parted ways trying to find the quickest route home. I went back via 19, 74, 64, 60, 30, navigate off road, (GPS) home. In Andrews I could see snow on the mountain tops. Tim said they went the long way around, thru Maggie Valley to I-40 then to Maryville. Lots of choices for routes, all long.

Great time with the SMHC backpackers.

Pictures:

Sewanee - TTA Greens View

I got to the University of the South early so I drove around the campus looking at the buildings and grounds. This is a beautiful place to visit; the architecture is so cool.

  

I met the M’Boro/Highland Rim hikers at the Greens View trailhead. There is a gorgeous view of the valley at the end of the road there. Sara, Joan, Ann, Julie, Tony, Jenny, Bruce Lee and I started down the trail. We hiked a loop combining a few trails, with a side trip out to Piney Point overlook. We took a break here and then sprinkles started. As we came back thru Shakerag Hollow the wildflowers were putting on an early spring show! Bloodroot, Anemone, Chickweed, Violets, Toothwort and a few more I can’t name, and the trilliums were just starting to open. The waterfalls and creeks were flowing well so we had lots of picture ops. At the end of the hike we drove to Shenanigan’s for lunch. Good food and great company.

After lunch, I drove around the Monteagle Assembly area. The old houses here are so pretty, most have big front porches or wrap-around porches.

Thank you Sara for arranging the Sunday hike.

Pictures:

Tony's Pictures: 

Chickamauga National Military Park

Chickamauga Battlefield was the destination for the SD TTA hikers. Eleven hikers started at the Visitors Center and hiked 7 plus miles. We passed lots of cannons, monuments, markers, tablets, . There are over 50 miles of trails here. Some for foot traffic only, horse trails and bike trails. Color coded also, be sure to pick up a trail map at the visitors center.

Here is a link to some interesting facts about the Battle of Chickamauga

We ate at Park Place after the hike. Good food!

Pictures:

PilotWines Loop - Big South Fork

Three of my backpacking friends had agreed to go on a wintertime overnight with me (with disclaimers: not too cold, no ice/snowstorms/not too far away/ect.) This weekend looked promising. Other than the updates I was getting from Craig and the Outcasts from their trails.

We drove to Big South Fork, Station Camp East trailhead to hike the Pilot/Wines trail. The parking lot was full of trucks and horse trailers. We were hiking the trail counterclockwise. They all went the opposite direction maybe to the Big Island Loop. The trail was in fairly good condition after the rain/snow earlier in the week. Not too much mud. We got to see the Wilderness Resort cabins and stable on the border of the park; they have immediate access to trails from their cabins.  I was able to find Pilot Rock for the ladies to see. It really is impressive. We got to the river level and hiked up the creek to find a campsite out of the mud. There was plenty of firewood and a log to sit on by the campfire. It stayed cloudy thru the evening but we did see the moon shining thru.

Sometime thru the night, it rained a little, then the thunder woke us up at daylight. We got packed up and started cooking breakfast under my tarp when Nancy’s fuel canister rolled down the bank into the creek. I ran down to the crossing to try and catch it. It got stuck between a rock and a hard place, so I grabbed it.

We headed out to cross the creek, sprinkles came and went. We got to the Dome Rockhouse and had a snack in the dry. When we got to the car all the horse trailers had disappeared, I guess horses don’t like rainy days. Just as we were loading up, the rain came down. Good timing! We stopped at the Hitching Post for something to drink and talked with the owner and his companions. You can’t get permits here for overnight backpacks anymore. The park service has an online option or at the Visitor Centers. It was really handy to get them here in case you weren’t going into the visitor center areas. He also runs a lodge in case you need a place to stay.

We got to the Cracker Barrel to the other car and during swap over Amy noticed her poles were missing. She had left them in the Station Camp parking lot while changing shoes. After a quick call to the Visitor Center, the Ranger told her he would check it out when he got off work. Hope he finds them so she can get them back.

Thank you to my adventurous backpacking friends for agreeing to a February backpack J

Pictures:

CT - Soddy Creek

Day One: 12.2 Miles
Mowbray Pike to Board Camp Creek

Day Two: 4.8
Board Camp Creek to Heiss Mountain Road

Total Miles: 17

Lora and I headed to the Cumberland trail to backpack the Soddy Creek Gorge.  We started on Mowbray Pike trailhead and hiked to Hwy 111. We have not hiked this section since 2013.

It was a beautiful day and me met a few people out on the trail after we got past the Hot Water trailhead. We checked out the two new bridges over Deep Creek and Soddy Creek. It was a challenge going over Deep Creek as a tree was laid up the side of the bridge. Lora crawled on her belly under the tree, but I had to take my pack off and hand it to her.

When we went through the cliff wall section along Board Camp Creek the trail was covered with ice to help us out with our challenge.  A couple of miles further we found a flat area to set up camp for the night.  We enjoyed a night around the campfire.

The next morning we headed out and met one guy that Lora had hiked with before.  It was a good hike with my best hiking partner.

Pictures:

TTA Roaring Creek

Today’s hike was on the Cumberland Trail at Roaring Creek. 8 hikers with John as our hike leader. We started out at a fast pace, trying to get warm. Or maybe because everyone else’s legs were longer. The first water crossing slowed us down then the climb up the ridge warmed us up. We had beautiful views from the overlooks into the valley below, and Cranmore Cove. At that overlook you can see both Sequoia and Watts Bar’s towers (how safe do you feel now?) We left three of our hikers here to have their lunch. 

We continued on to Galbraith Creek and had lunch there, studying on how deep and slick the water crossing  would be. Nobody wanted to wade, so after we ate we headed back to the trailhead. No critters today other than buzzards. No goat, no wildflowers. Good company and a beautiful day to hike.

This was scheduled to be a long and difficult 12.6 miles.  However, due to high water at Gilbreath Creek, the hike was shortened to 9.2 miles.  The weather was good.  It started out quite cold in the 20s but eventually warmed up to about 50.  The roar from the high water made the name Roaring Creek appropriate.  The hikers from today's hike were Gloria, Don, Lora, Pat, S. Cutter, Mark, Pete and John.

Pictures:

Oregon Jan 2016

Another wonderful trip to Oregon. Lots of fun times with Melanie, Jagon, Avelyn, and Marjorie. Avee has grown so much since the last trip. The giggles and loves were a precious blessing.

Pictures:

Deep Creek II

Lillian suggested a weekend of hiking. We decided on the Deep Creek area. She and Karen spent Saturday at the Sandhill Crane festival in Birchwood, then joined me in Cherokee in time for dinner.

I had driven to Bryson City earlier in the day, to check out the Thomas Divide trailhead. It was up a dirt road, mostly one lane. Judi and I had come off the trail here before. As I started back down the road I met a Ranger in a truck coming up. One of us had to back up.....me. I am glad Craig has made me practice backing the boat trailer. Backed up, moved over and got a big smile from the guys inside that seemed surprised that I didn't run off the side of the bank using my sideview mirrors :)
Then on the Cherokee and to Smokemont. 

I hiked part of the Tow String Rd trail that joined the Bradley Fork Trail. I spent some time at the Oconaluftee Visitors Center, walking along the River Trail, and exploring the museum. I just missed the concert they had there, but the beautiful sunshiny day I would rather be outside. Later in the afternoon, on a tip from a volunteer at the museum, I found the elk in a field on Big Cove Road. Just after dark Lillian and Karen met me at Pauls Diner for a supper of Buffalo burgers and Indian tacos. We crashed for the night at Great Smokies Inn. 

Sunday we woke up to snow coming down and a warning from the guy at the convenience store about road conditions driving to Deep Creek. Three brave souls drove thru the snow showers to Bryson City and Deep Creek Campground to drop off a car. We drove back a little way to try and find the trailhead for the Cooper Road Trail. On the way we saw a hawk sitting in the road holding onto something dead, he didn't fly away...strange. Anyway, we found "No Parking", and No Trespassing" signs and a locked gate at a trout farm. On to Plan B. 

The snow had stopped.  Thomas Divide Trailhead. We did a loop of Indian Creek Motor Trail, Deeplow Gap, Indian Creek, Stone Pile Gap x 2, and Thomas Divide out to the parking lot for Deep Creek, then hiked the Juney Whank Trail. Est 11.5 miles for the day. 

Fun weekend with the ladies.

Pictures:

Chattanooga Tennessee Valley Railroad

Lora and I got on the train today! We headed to Chattanooga and visited the Tennessee Valley Railroad. It was a lot of fun and then we headed to the Chattanooga Choo Choo Depot / Hotel for a visit.

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