This blog covers my Smoky Mountain hikes; it also includes a link to pictures from one of my cross country ski ventures.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

7-11 Hike cancelled because of weather

Group hike ending at the tunnel was cancelled because of thunderstorm probability and potential problems with water for those doing Noland Creek all the way. Although I would be back from Nebraska and planned to hike on 7/25, none of the hikes were that interesting to me. Moreover, now I am just trying to help others reach their 900 miles and none of these folks requested my services.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Post 900 Hike #12: Lakeshore Trail from Fontana Dam to Campsite 86 (5.2 & 4.4 mi.) & Return (19.2 mi. total)




This is a trail that Dennis McAdams needed; it was great that 50% of today’s hike (9.6 mi.) can be counted toward his 900 Miles. I met Dennis at Foothills Parkway at 7:00; we proceeded in his car to Fontana Dam.

As we began our hike on Lakeshore Trail at 8:16 in a NE direction, we briefly greeted a young couple preparing to hike a portion of the AT going due North (that trailhead also exited this parking area—more on them later). Much of this section of Lakeshore Trail used to be a road (NC 288); and although the Park was in existence, some folks still lived in this section during World War II. We had gas rationing (I was 7-11 during this era) because of rubber shortage (S-Sea Island product in war area). Thus along this trail-road there are several car bodies; folks living there purportedly left their cars when their tires wore out. This section of the trail (to Campsite #90) had a few ups and downs, none difficult; Dennis and I completed this 5.2 mi. in 1 hr. 43 min.

The next 4.2 mi. were in more of an easterly direction, less flat, and ended at the Proctor House, a hoot and holler from the S-end of the Hazel Creek Trail. We ate lunch here. During the retracing of our steps on this section Dennis was leading; about a mile out I noted a BEAR on a rise in our trail in front of us. (This was the first bear that I had ever seen on a trail; all others were seen from a vehicle.) I quickly got my camera out of my pocket but the Bear decided not to pose. We were on the up-side of a creek bed to our left; beyond it was steep rise up a mountain and that was where the bear was scurrying. All I can say s/he was fast, strong, and agile. We completed this 4.2 mi. section in 1 hr. 49 min.

Shortly after we started an up part of our repeat of the 5.2 mi. section, Dennis asked me if I wanted to do my aerobics, since I sort of relish doing up-sections. (You'll note that he is keeping the tree from descending to the earth so that I can pass.) I took off and was getting a nice workout; after a couple of miles I heard voices. I soon caught up with the young couple we saw shortly before our respective hikes; they had completed the AT to Lost Cove, the latter to Lakeshore, and had ~3 mi. left on their 11.6 mi. loop. We started talking and they stayed with me; if I cut my velocity it was nominal. I took their picture by this car and they wanted to take mine.)They were truly a delightful couple and they helped make the remainder of the hike a breeze; I finished this 5.2 mi. section in 1 hr. 42 min. As they drove out of parking area I began icing my knee.

Dennis and I took off about 16:00; as those familiar with the dragon (a section of US 129 with numerous switchbacks) would attest, on the 4th of July one could expect to see quite a few motorcyclists. Including those at a diner, gas station, and at overlooks on the road as well cycling on the road itself, I would not be surprised if we saw a couple hundred. Dennis dropped me off at my car and then we stopped for a soda; I arrived home ~18:20 after a grocery stop.