Post 900 Hike #32: Catalooche Divide

Today’s hike was to be an in-and-out of Cataloochee Divide from Cove Creek Gap to Double Gap (4.6 + 1.8 mi.). This is a hike that Bob needed and that BZ organized; however, because of rain Wed. it was moved to Thurs., a day that did not fit BZ’s or Bob’s schedule. I picked up Jim Harb at 7:15 and then drove to Cecil Rowe’s house (Jim lives ~1 mi. from me and Cecil lives ~1 mi. from Jim). In Cecil’s van we embarked to the Cracker Barrel at the Strawberry Plains exit and picked up John Hutsenpiller; I had met and talked with John a few times at the Victor Ashe Dog Park. Although John had hiked in New England, this was his first real hike in the Smokies. We then proceeded to Exit 20 in NC on I-40 on a rather circuitous road to the trailhead at Cove Creek Gap (the Eastern-most point of the GSMNP). At 9:35 the four of us set out on Cataloochee Divide. Because this hike presented the opportunity for both Jim and Cecil to get additional trails that each needed if we did not follow our initial plan (Jim for his 900 and Cecil for his Geezer 900), it is more important to me to help others achieve their goal for at this time I really do not have the goal of completing a second 900.

Cataloochee Divide Trail follows the Eastern border of the Park and is really a lovely trail to hike. Initially we had a little snow on the trail and a beautiful rime frost on the needles of the white pine. This frost is a product of the elevation and the clouds (or should I say smoke?) and the wind. Shortly thereafter I noted a rather large coyote come around the bend of the trail towards us; he was very surprised to see us and quickly reversed his trek (he really must have been daydreaming to get that close to us). It was not long before I spotted the ski slopes of Maggie Valley and was particularly interested in bringing these to John’s attention; because of numerous switch backs they were seen to our right whereas eventually they would be on our left. Starting between the 3rd and 4th mile of Cataloochee Divide there is a bit of up (i.e., 500 ft in ~.5 mi.); it was at this point that I elected to lead to get a good aerobic workout (only got my HR to 143 though). While waiting I removed my innermost long sleeve layer; it was damp.

Shortly after we resumed hiking we completed 4.6 mi. and reached McKee Branch Trail’s junction with Cataloochee Divide; this is the trail that Jim and Cecil would take on our return. We proceeded to the Swag’s (an expensive bread & breakfast) vista and lookout platform ~.25 mi. North of the Swag (~12:00); it was here that we had a relatively relaxed lunch at a picnic table. We could watch the skiers in Maggie Valley and see the imposing Bald that is on Hemphill Bald Trail (Cataloochee Divide would end at this trail's start ~0.9 mi.). We then retraced our steps; at the McKee Branch Trail junction Cecil and Jim descended on this rather steep 2.3 mi. trail (~1,700 ft.). The switchbacks on this trail may number only two; at least that is what it seemed like when I did it going up last year.

John and I proceeded on Cataloochee Divide; he did extremely well for a person who is not used to our hikes. When we reached our starting point (~15:00), I drove Cecil’s van to the Cataloochee Campground and the terminus of Caldwell Fort Trail. At this point I iced my knee and shortly thereafter Jim and Cecil came across the log bridge. This was a very good hike for Jim’s and Cecil’s goals because the 4.6 mi. section of Cataloochee Divide, the 2.3 mi. of McKee Branch, and the 4.2 mi. of Caldwell Fork, all counted in their quest. We then began the long drive home and arrived at Cecil’s ~17:30 after dropping off John.