Post 900 Hike #31: Thomas Divide & Indian Creek

Arrived at Cecil Rowe’s house ~06:50. Because it would be just the two of us, we set out in his pick-up for SVC where we were to meet BZ Lane; we would then take BZ’s Jeep wagon and Bob Bolinger would drive it to Deep Creek after dropping us off at the Thomas Divide trailhead. Bob in turn would be hiking two days out of Deep Creek (staying in Bryson City one night) with Charlie, Janetta, Diane, Vickie and one other.

Bob dropped us off at the Thomas Divide trailhead on U.S. 441 ~8:30. It was ~29 degrees; my usual winter hiking attire includes a long sleeve polyester (usually a light one but my heavy one today), a light long sleeve hiking shirt, polyester vest, and year-around ball cap; I like to start out a hike “cool” since my arm activity with the poles quickly warms me up. (My winter hiking trousers have a tight knit, are almost waterproof, and have a mesh lining; with them there is absolutely no need for long johns.) However, today I also put on my light gortex coat, my Finish gloves, and my crampons.

There was a bit of ice and snow in the initial part of our hike for there is ~500 ft. altitude gain. We had covered only 1.8 miles when we reached the Kanati Fork Trail junction; the “up” and the ice slowed us and my cohorts were not using crampons. By 10:32 we had covered an additional 2.8 mi. and had reached Thomas Divide’s junction with Sunkota Ridge (SR). SR Trail in essence parallels Clingmans Dome's ridge. If you look carefully you'll see a "white" line close to its peak; this is the parking lot at Clingmans Dome. (If you would like to see what the parking lot looks like covered with snow, take a look at my xc-ski pictures in this Blog.) By 12:17 we had covered 4.9 mi. of SR and reached its junction with Martins Gap Trail that would take us to Indian Creek trail. I assume that it was in the early part of SR that I removed my crampons, outer coat, heavy gloves, and stocking cap.

We then went 4.4 mi. on Martins Gap and Indian Creek until the latter’s junction with Deep Creek Trail, leaving only 0.7 mi. to the Deep Creek parking lot where BZ’s car (driven there by Bob) was awaiting us. We arrived there at 14:56; by my calculation we had covered 14.6 miles. We then had the long drive from Deep Creek to Cherokee, then on U.S. 441 to the Park and on to Newfound Gap and the SVC. At SVC Cecil and I got in his pickup and on to Knoxville via Pigeon Forge and Sevierville; I arrived home at ~17:35.

Post 900 Hike #29: Anthony Creek, Bote Mtn, AT, Russell Field, & Anthony Creek

It was our plan that Bob Bolinger and I would meet at the stoplight in Townsend at 9:00; although we usually met at the “Y” for hikes starting in Cades Cove, cell phones do not work there. That was truly fortuitous planning on Bob’s part. I was at the service station by the stop light in Townsend when I received a call from Bob that an 18-wheeler and a car side swiped on U.S. 321; this precluding his advancement. Although Laurel Creed Rd. was open (we needed it to get to our starting point in the Cove), River Road was closed so Bob did not have the option of turning around and entering the park via Wears Valley.

Bob arrived ~9:30; we then went in his car and were on Anthony Creek Trail at 10:15. We finished the first 1.6 mi. of this trail at 10:51. The 1.9 mi. section was a little slower because of climb; I finished it at 11:41. At 11:46 we started the 1.7 mi. section of Bote Mtn Trail; this is not only up but there was snow. Before long I put on my crampons for with snow and ice, the trail was getting much more difficult. It was not until 12:36 that I finished this section and started eating lunch. Not sure the exact time we started on the AT; the picture shows a section of it. We we finished the 2.9 mi. AT section that Bob needed for his 900 at 14:00. (We had removed our crampons prior to finishing it.)

On Russell Field Trail we met a young couple planning to do our hike in reverse. He sounded sort of English; we did not discern that much of an accent from her. We asked if they had crampons; they did not and they had just assumed that with the mild weather there would be no ice (they did not realize that altitude can make quite a difference). We told them to be very careful and to not hesitate to turn around. The fellow was carrying a small backpack (possibly he had a sleeping bag in it); she was just carrying a daypack. Both wore a light hiking shoe.

We finished the 3.5 mi. section of Russell in 62 min. (despite talking to them for at least 5 min.); it is mostly down and both of us cruised. We then redid the 1.6 mi. section of Anthony Creek (trail we started with in the a.m.) and arrived at Bob’s vehicle in 33 min. Parked next to it was the vehicle that we assumed belonged to the young couple. Because that section of the campground would be closed off at 18:00, we were concerned about them for unless they retraced their steps (or slept in a shelter), they would have problems (i.e., darkness, getting their vehicle out of the campground). For this reason we drove over to Ranger station and luckily caught a safety ranger (i.e., Park policeman) just starting his vehicle. He took copious notes; I hope that the young couple did not have any major problems.

Post 900 Hike #28: Parts of Madron Bald & Gabes Mtn

Drove the ~2 miles to Jim Harb’s home at 7:00; then went in Jim’ car the ~2 mi. to Cecil Rowe’s home. John Kennerly arrived shortly; we then decided to take two vehicles for doing so would allow me to move Cecil’s to the beginning of Madron Bald trailhead. Jim and I would do an in and out from this point and Cecil and John would end there after completing the Eastern portion of Old Settlers Trail (it is entered via a manway off of US 321. In two vehicles we went to the Cracker Barrel at Strawberry Plains to check in with the other Wednesday group hikers. The latter group was going in two vehicles to the Madron Bald trailhead where they would meet up with BZ and Bob; some would do an in and out on the latter trail and some were either going to do a longer loop or shuttle a vehicle to the Cosby Campground. At this meet-up Glen showed us his frost-bitten thumb from the Jan. 2nd hike; it would serve as a good lesson to anyone not cognizant of the perils of hiking un-prepared. (Ironically Glen was perhaps quite prepared but he had loaned his heavy gloves to a non-prepared hiker and wore light ones. Jan. 2nd was the day that most of our Wed. group cancelled hiking because of the weather forcast.)

It was ~ 9:10 when Cecil and John and Jim and I arrived close to the manway on U.S. 321 which permitted access to the Old Settlers Trail; at this point I drove Cecil’s vehicle to the Maddron Bald trail head with Jim following me. Bob and BZ and part of the main group were ready to set out as Jim and I arrived; at 9:30 Jim and I started with Kim accompanying us. At 9:50 we had covered the 1.2 mi. section to the Gabes Mtn trailhead; Jim and I took off at 9:55 on it and Kim waited for the Maddron Bald hikers behind us.

After reaching the turn-off to Hen-Wallow Falls (~4.5 mi.), we had completed the trail section that Jim needed for his 900 mi. quest (he had covered the 2.1 eastern section of Gabes Mtn trail from Cosby to the Falls previously). We decided to go to the falls for lunch (this added 0.1 to 0.2 miles to our trip) and arrived there at 11:45. After lunch and a few pictures we began retracing our steps at 12:15; we arrived at Jim’s vehicle at 14:20. Today’s hike was only 11.6 miles and I arrived home at 15:55.

Post 900 Hike #27

I arrived at Cecil’s at 7:15; after he informed me that he did not get his van back, I agreed to drive. John Kennerly and Jim Harb arrived shortly; we then drove to Bill Woodrick’s house and then set out for Cracker Barrel at the Strawberry Plains exit. Janetta and Charlie arrived from Maryville; then Becky, Anne, Diane and one other arrived. I was in error with respect to the hike that we were taking; instead of our alternate from last week out of Cosby instead of the weather aborted Cataloochee hike, we were doing the Cataloochee one (i.e., into NC, ~ a 90 mile drive). We were to meet Bob Bolinger and BZ Lane at Exit 20; then proceed on Cove Creek Rd. into the GSMNP. (I had met Bob and BZ at the truck stop there on U.S. 321 more than once last year when I did a string of Cataloochee-area hikes.) The first section of Cove Creek Rd. is paved but had at least one 5 mph switchback; the last section is gravel as well as the first section into the park. Then it is paved with the very last section reverting to gravel.

At 10:05 we set out on a 2.9 mi. section of Rough Fork; after ~1.3 mi. this trail has a bit of up (~1,000 ft in 1.5 mi.); when we were ready for this section I had passed everyone and then Bill Woodrick and I set out a slightly faster pace (both he & I are runners). After Rough Fork junctions with Fork Ridge, our 3.15 mile section of the latter is basically down. Believe it was somewhere in this section that we saw a big elk ahead of us 20-30 yds; we stopped as he eyed us and we eyed him (& I endeavored to get my camera). He got off the trail and then joined four other elk; unfortunately my picture-taking attempt failed. We ate lunch ~12:00 just after the Caldwell Fork junctions with Hemphill Bald; Charlie joined us. We finally assumed that the remainder of our group had stopped for lunch too, we set out after ~a 30-min. lunch break. We reached Big Fork Ridge trail shortly; its 3.2 miles has a slight up and then basically down. In the latter part of this trail is big fence enclosure (also screened); this is where the elk brought to the park acclimate themselves before they are turned loose. Big Fork Ridge ends ~100 yards from my vehicle and our starting point; we arrive there 4 hours after we started. Bill, BZ, John and I sat at a picnic table and I iced my knee; within a short time the remainder of our group trickled back.

We then set out on our long return trip. Because I had not originally planned to drive, I had not refueled and had ~ a half tank when we started. My red light came on just short of our Strawberry Plains exit from I 40. As soon as I exited my vehicle at the gas station, Cecil said he was paying for it because he had planned to drive; I suggested that I could just as well pay for it and then not drive for a few times. He insisted otherwise; the other passengers chipped in so he did not have to pay the entire bill. This was one of the hikes that was not the best use of our time in that our vehicle time exceeded our trail time.