Post 900 Hike 48: Forney Ridge, Springhouse Br, Forney Cr., et al.
A total of 24 hikers were to start at different times in vicinity of Clingmans Dome and take one of 4-5 routes in hikes ranging from ~13-17 mi. that end near the tunnel that goes no where N. of Bryson City NC.
Tom Siler and I elected to go with BZ Lane (working on his 2nd map). I picked up Tom at Lakeside Market ~06:40; we arrived at SVC ~07:50 and BZ arrived momentarily. BZ then drove and we were on Forney Ridge Trail (just off the Dome’s parking lot) at 08:38. For the most part this is a downhill hike and we elected to take it easy; beating the bears to many succulent black berries made the 4.5 mi. quite enjoyable.
We then did the 4.2 mi. section of Springhouse Branch. I believe it was on this trail that we saw what was perhaps the biggest oak that I may have ever seen; unfortunately I did not have my camera. BZ also saw a bear; Tom and I only heard it. Because BZ is also very good in spotting yellow jacket nests; I usually like to have him lead.
Next was 1.3 mi. section of Forney Creek and then the 1.8 mi. section of Whiteoak Branch. At this point BZ asked me if I wanted to lead for it has a bit of up; I did for I wanted to get an aerobic workout (I did it the 1.8 mi. in 35 min.). Four young men (seasonal maintenance personnel) were taking a break where Whiteoak Branch intersects with Lakeshore Trail; they had been putting up new trail signs (Hurray).
We then did ~1.3 mi. of Lakeshore; then we took off on the 1.2 mi. Tunnel Bypass Trail and the “sign men” continued on Lakeshore to the tunnel. Tunnel Bypass Trail merges with Goldmine Loop Trail for our last 0.4 mi.
We finished our 14.7 mi. hike ~16:10. (The picture of the tunnel and of our group waiting for the bus were taken by Glen Howard.) A few were already there and the rest straggled in prior to the scheduled bus pick up at 17:00. Because we had 24 hikers, the bus (from Cherokee Indian Reservation) cost each of us only $10 (this included tip). Then the long trip.
About 25 min. after entering the park from Cherokee on US 441 on the road to Newfound Gap a vehicle was stopped in our lane as well as a Park Ranger’s vehicle. There was an ornery bear in the area but we did not see him. Eventually we got to Newfound Gap and then 7 mi. to Clingmans Dome; after dropping off ~6 at Noland Divide trailhead we finally arrived at BZ’s jeep and then on to SVC. In addition to Tom, Amy and John H. rode with me since the others in their groups were eating at Gatlinburg. I believe that I arrived home ~20:30.
Tom Siler and I elected to go with BZ Lane (working on his 2nd map). I picked up Tom at Lakeside Market ~06:40; we arrived at SVC ~07:50 and BZ arrived momentarily. BZ then drove and we were on Forney Ridge Trail (just off the Dome’s parking lot) at 08:38. For the most part this is a downhill hike and we elected to take it easy; beating the bears to many succulent black berries made the 4.5 mi. quite enjoyable.
We then did the 4.2 mi. section of Springhouse Branch. I believe it was on this trail that we saw what was perhaps the biggest oak that I may have ever seen; unfortunately I did not have my camera. BZ also saw a bear; Tom and I only heard it. Because BZ is also very good in spotting yellow jacket nests; I usually like to have him lead.
Next was 1.3 mi. section of Forney Creek and then the 1.8 mi. section of Whiteoak Branch. At this point BZ asked me if I wanted to lead for it has a bit of up; I did for I wanted to get an aerobic workout (I did it the 1.8 mi. in 35 min.). Four young men (seasonal maintenance personnel) were taking a break where Whiteoak Branch intersects with Lakeshore Trail; they had been putting up new trail signs (Hurray).
We then did ~1.3 mi. of Lakeshore; then we took off on the 1.2 mi. Tunnel Bypass Trail and the “sign men” continued on Lakeshore to the tunnel. Tunnel Bypass Trail merges with Goldmine Loop Trail for our last 0.4 mi.
We finished our 14.7 mi. hike ~16:10. (The picture of the tunnel and of our group waiting for the bus were taken by Glen Howard.) A few were already there and the rest straggled in prior to the scheduled bus pick up at 17:00. Because we had 24 hikers, the bus (from Cherokee Indian Reservation) cost each of us only $10 (this included tip). Then the long trip.
About 25 min. after entering the park from Cherokee on US 441 on the road to Newfound Gap a vehicle was stopped in our lane as well as a Park Ranger’s vehicle. There was an ornery bear in the area but we did not see him. Eventually we got to Newfound Gap and then 7 mi. to Clingmans Dome; after dropping off ~6 at Noland Divide trailhead we finally arrived at BZ’s jeep and then on to SVC. In addition to Tom, Amy and John H. rode with me since the others in their groups were eating at Gatlinburg. I believe that I arrived home ~20:30.
posted by Wendell Liemohn at 11:01 PM
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