Post 900 Hike #17 (M-Prong, Lynn Camp Prong, Miry Ridge, Panther Creek, M-Prong

Met Dennis McAdams at the “Y” and we proceeded the short distance to Tremont and Middle Prong Trail. I was planning to pick up Bob Bolinger et al. after our hike and take them to their vehicles in Elkmont; Dennis offered to do it since it would be on his way home.

We started on Middle Prong at 8:40 and arrived at its junction with Panther Creek at 9:27 (2.3 mi.). At 10:07 we completed the next 1.8 mi. section of Middle Prong and hit Lynn Camp Prong. By 11:31 we completed this 3.7 mi. trail at its junction with Miry Ridge and decided to have lunch at this point for there were numerous logs upon which to sit. Somewhat to our surprise Bob and Amy came to this trail junction; they then returned to the place on Miry Ridge where they had left Diane and Janetta to have their lunch. Did not note the time when we set out on Miry Ridge; we passed our cohorts and finished this 2.5 mi. section at 12:57. Believe the latter section and our impending 2.3 mi. section of Panther Creek were all new trails for Dennis. At 13:49 we completed Panther Creek; the stream crossing just prior to its terminus at Middle Prong was “rock hopable.” During the past few weeks stream levels have been extremely low in the GSMNP. We then returned on the 2.3 mi. section of Middle Prong and were at our cars at 14:34.

Even though Dennis had offered to transport Bob, Janetta, and Diane back to Elkmont since it was on his way home, I thought that I should. During my wait for them I iced my knee and had an enjoyable talk with a couple from Pittsburgh; this was their second trip to the Park and were thinking of becoming hikers. I believe I sold them on the idea.

Post 900 Hike #16

Met Bob Bolinger at 7:45 at the beginning of the Foothills Parkway in Walland. We proceeded in his jeep to the Abrams Creek Campground. Although I had been here previously, I was a little uncertain of the Rabbit Creek Trailhead for it is not marked. A “trail runner” pointed in the general direction; soon things looked familiar (i.e., creek, log stream crossing). Although I knew that we were on the trail, at this end there is not one trail sign. In 54 min. we had completed 2.7 mi. (mostly up) and the junction with Hannah Mountain Trail.

By 10:30 we completed 1.9 mi. of Hannah Mountain and reached Abrams Creek. The water was so low that I considered not using my water shoes; it was a far cry from what it was 18 months ago when I crossed it solo. At my original crossing I thought it was the toughest stream crossing that I had ever made; now it was simple (Bob did not even use water shoes). We arrived at Abrams Falls (~1.7 mi.) at 11:20 and ate lunch (that's Bob looking at the Falls). The ~6.3 miles that we had covered at this point were all new ones for Bob. Even though our return trip would be repeats, when more than 50% of the hike are new miles, it is a pretty good day.

We then retraced our steps on Abrams Falls Trail, then a short section of Hatcher Mountain Trail; at 13:33 we finished the 2.9 mi. of Little Bottoms. Next was 0.9 mi. of Cooper Road Trail. In the last part of the trail we walked through the Abrams Creek Campground. Although our hike was only ~12 miles, it was an extremely hot day again. Although the Park temperature was only in the 80’s, in town it was in the 90’s again. The only good omen, it doubtfully can be any hotter this summer.

Post 900 Hike #15

This is a hike that both Bob Bolinger and Janetta Baker needed for their 900 mile quest. Also making the hike were Diane (she had previously done this hike) and Scott (Bob’s friend from Omaha—he also went on one hike with us last year).

I was to meet Diane and Janetta at Central Station at 7:45 (neither could meet earlier--that puts more of the hike into the heat of the day than I prefer). Shortly before 8:00 we left in Diane's Mustang convertible. We proceeded down U.S. 129 (also called the Dragon) and met Bob and Scott at the junction of Foothills Parkway with U.S. 129. I then rode with Bob and Scott rode with Janetta and Diane. We arrived at the Twentymile Ranger Station ~9:00. Scott and I led initially; we finished a 0.5 mi. section of the Twentymile Trail and a 1.1 mile section of Wolf Ridge at 9:48. At 9:53 we commenced on the 2.9 mi. Twentymile Loop Trail and finished it at 11:05, with one major stop. Scott and I were ahead a bit when we saw a mother bear and two cubs 50-70 yards off the trail. We took pictures as the mother bear traversed across a log followed by her two cubs; while this was occurring the others in our group approached and we signaled them to be quiet. (My bear pictures are not good; I think that the dark spots are bear.) Near the end of this trail we came to the one "un-bridged" water crossing; I had told everyone to bring water shoes because when I did this trail last year they were needed. However, it has been so dry in the park that this stream was easy to rock hop.

At 11:05 we reached the junction of Long Hungry Ridge Trail. After getting a little ahead I waited and told the rest that I would wait for them at the Junction of Gregory Bald Trail (4.6 mi.); they planned to stop for lunch at a crest prior to that point but I wanted to reach an “exact” distance. I then put it in a little higher gear; this trail had a 2200 foot climb and I wanted to get a good aerobic workout. I got my heart rate up to 161 and reached Gregory Bald at 13:07. That was a good workout; although the Park temperature was only ~78 degrees, it was very humid and air quality was not good. I ate lunch and waited; fortunately the 3 backpackers that I passed stopped and we talked a bit. I gave two of them sheets of Bounce; it tends to keep bugs away from the face and one in particular was having a problem. When my cohorts arrived, Scott was leading, he is followed by Janetta, Diane, and then Bob; Bob typically likes to be last so he can ensure that everyone is going at a pace that they can sustain.

When my crew arrived we set out on the 1.2 mile section of Gregory Bald; it also has a bit of up but I stayed toward the back of our group of 5. I had taken my pastor on this trail back in June but we took Gregory Ridge Trail off Forge Creek Rd at the W-end of Cades Cove. The flaming azaleas were great then but there were none now. Shortly after the Bald itself we came to Wolf Ridge Trail; we would be on it for 6.3 miles and it is downhill (~3000' drop). I usually do not elect to go fast on declines and at this particular point I was 5th in our group of 5. Bob yelled back but I could not understand him; I soon realized what he was talking about when I got stung by yellow jackets on each hand. I took Benadryl and I also tried Bob’s remedy of placing chewing tobacco over the bites. Shortly thereafter Scott and I led. When I reached our cars at 17:00 the receiver (just like a watch) for my HR monitor was very tight; I then noted that the swelling for that thumb bite was quite pronounced at my wrist. Perhaps I should have chewed the tobacco; I just used water from my Camel Pack. I alternately iced my knee and my bites. (Ironically I tried to pick up a new epinephrine kit at CVS; however, the call-in prescription arrived after I did. If I would have approached anaphylactic shock, I would have used my old one that expired in January.)


When Bob and the rest got back I had an ice tea; that really hit the spot. Did not reach home until it neared 19:00. Although the Park is slightly cooler than the middle 90’s temperatures that we are having in town, when one is chugging and the air quality is not too good, hikes such as the one that we did today can be draining. After a shower I tried another remedy for yellow jacket bites that I had received via the internet. I taped a penny on the site of each bite. I do not know if it was the penny or the Benadryl, but swelling was down in the A.M.

Post 900 Hike #14

Today I would hike with Bob Bolinger and Janetta Baker; to save time I thought that I should drop them off at what I assumed was the trailhead (Noland Divide) and then drive to Mingus Creek and hike up towards them. I arrived at SVC ~30 min. prior to our planned departure; I wanted to examine our respective treks to get a handle on the time requirements of our venture for I had not looked at the map yet for this hike. To my surprise they were both early too; despite Bob’s willingness to drive, because I’d be driving from trailhead to terminus I wanted to drive my CRV; we left SVC at 8:45.

On our way to Newfound Gap I noted that my pulse was only 51; I had never noted it to be below the middle 50’s (low marks when I was a passenger on the way to a hike). Moreover, I had had a cup of coffee at home and also one in Pigeon Forge on the way to the Park—more on my HR-monitor pulse later). About 30 min. later we reached Newfound Gap and then I turned on the road to Clingmans Dome for the Noland Divide trailhead was 2-3 mi. shy of the Dome. Bob immediately told me that I had made a wrong turn; I was a little confused but since I had not recently looked at a map, and because no hiker’s navigation skills would be apt to exceed Bob's--a former pilot, I turned around and we started down the mountain into NC. We went a few miles and realized that we missed the trailhead; I turned around and we spotted the trailhead sign for Thomas Divide ~40 ft. off the road. (At that point in time the sign did not register with me.)

I then drove down the mountain on US 441 to the Mingus Creek trailhead. At 10:00 I started the first segment of Mingus Creek. The trail is quite flat at first; this is followed by some incline and one often walks in what would be creek beds if there were a lot of rain. The last segment includes a bit of “up” with a number of switchbacks. I pushed a bit here and my pulse reached a high of 148; I made the 2.9 mi. in 61 mn.

At this trail junction I took a brief break and had a little electrolyte; I had only sipped water from my bladder—still very cold since I had removed it from the freezer just prior to leaving home. (Believe I looked at my map here and I think that it was at this point that I truly realized that Bob and Janetta were doing Thomas Divide rather than Noland Divide, a 10+ mi. hike versus a 19+ one.) The next segment of Mingus Creek is 3 mi. and about every bit of it is “up”. I motored because I wanted to reach its junction with Newton Bald trailhead before they did; that was not too realistic because they had ~1 mi. less and ~30 mn. head start. At ~2.5 mi. I met Janetta and Bob; we turned around and I motored. After ~1 mi. Janetta realized that she had left her sticks at the Mingus Creek-Newton Bald junction. We turned around and of course had a bit of “up” to do. I decided to make it a good workout day; I went ahead and got my HR to 154; that is not as high as it was as in running my first road race in 6 yrs. last fall but it was high for a hike. Two factors come to mind that could have influenced my HR:
(1) It was a hot day; in Knoxville the heat index was to be ~104. When I was ~4 mi. from home at ~6:00 p.m. I noted that my car thermometer for outside temperature was at 100—that’s the first time I had ever seen it in 3 digits.)
(2) This past Saturday (8/4) I turned 73.

We ate lunch at the resting place of Janetta’s sticks (Newton Bald-Mingus Creek junction). On the return trip I decided to go ahead in order to ice my knee and thus they would neither have to drive for me or wait. I did the 3 mi. trail segment in 45 min.; again, it was an easy “down” and one could really motor. Met an interesting backpacking couple at this point; they were doing the Mountains to the Sea trail, and since their map was not clearly marked, I was able to help them despite the fact that my map had virtually disintegrated due to sweat. I arrived at my vehicle at 14:35; thus I did the return 2.9 mi. in 50 mn.; the lower section of the trail is not conducive to making very good time.

I thought that my pedometer would give me a relatively accurate estimation of my miles. Although mapwise it was only 11.8 trail miles for the roundtrip, my pedometer registered only 11.91 miles and it was actually 0.27 when I started. Nevertheless, with the backtracking, I am certain that I did 13+ miles. A little more than one year ago when I did Ace Gap (5.6 mi.), my pedometer only registered 5.1 mi. upon its completion. Two reasons: (1) when I motor I still stride long on "ups" and (2) on easy trails that are level or a gradual "downs", I really stride out. In the future I should set my pedometer's stride length in concert with the trail.

Post 900 Hike #13

Bob Bolinger needed Road Prong Trail; this is one that I did in and out for a total of ~10 miles (map suggests larger figure, signage suggest 6-7 miles in and out). Janetta Baker had also agreed to go with Bob with her son Devin; I did not realize but she had previously done this trail too. I had told Bob that I could drop them off at Indian Gap and then drive to the Chimney Tops parking area and walk towards them on Road Prong; however, I thought that we should accomplish more in Bob’s behalf than just 4-5 miles. I suggested that we also do Tow String Trail out of Smokemont too; at our meeting spot at Sugarlands Visitor Center this A.M. Bob and Janetta agreed.

Bob drove to Smokemont; Tow String is a unique trail in that you walk 0.5 to 1.0 mi. prior to reaching its trailhead. This part of the trail was very wet and mushy; it was also frequented by horseback riders. When we reached the Tow String trailhead I again offered to walk back and drive Bob’s car to its terminus. Because it was only 2 miles (once we reached the trailhead), Bob thought that in and out was not too much. I went ahead and once I reached the 0.1 mi. trail sign, I suggested that we take the road back rather than re-traverse a somewhat muddy trail (i.e., particularly the first section). Our options were (1) walking over to U.S. 441 and walk the road back to Bob’s car and (2) taking the road adjacent to the creek that would lead directly to Bob’s car. (When I had done this trail, my wife Meredith and my dog Winston were waiting for me in my car near the trail’s terminus. However, when Janetta had done this trail previously they just followed the gravel road which ostensibly would lead us back to Bob’s car; it did.)

Bob then drove to Indian Gap on the Clingmans Dome Road; we ate lunch there. The three of them proceeded on Road Prong; I drove Bob’s Jeep to the Chimney Tops parking area. Although all parking spaces were full, one individual advised me that they would be pulling out shortly so I waited. After a few minutes I was on Road Prong on the way up to meet my cohorts, who would be on the way down. At the first stream crossing I encountered a host of Park Personnel who were doing research on Brook and Rainbow trout. The devices that they had shocked the trout which were in turn snagged by nets, weighed and measured, and then released. They also had a device that would measure current flow; that research was neat.

I passed a number of hikers who probably planned to go to Chimney Tops (prior to the Road Prong turn-off); although Chimney Tops is just a little over 2 miles, I doubt if many knew what lay ahead and I am certain most turned back without making it, for towards the end the trail, it gets very steep and very difficult. It is so surprising that so many “casual” hikers think that they can make it; when I volunteered at SVC I would try to warn such individuals what was in store for them.

Once I got to Road Prong I met three men who had also started at Indian Gap. Although they had heard voices behind them, I subsequently learned that Bob and Janetta allowed Devin to take a few sojourns (e.g., sliding on rocks in stream beds) on the way down. After meeting my cohorts, I chose to be the last one on the return trip to Bob’s Jeep; however, on our last major stream crossing Devin once again availed himself of the opportunity that no 12-yr. old could resist (i.e., both sliding on rocks and jumping from rock to rock in a stream). When we arrived at SVC we went on our respective ways. Because I only hiked 7-8 miles, I did not take my HR monitor; unfortunately I neglected to take my pedometer too. Thus times, paces, etc., were not recorded.