Post 900 Hike 49: Hazel Creek (4.5 & 0.8), Bone Valley (1.8) & return
(If you have been looking for my blog please be advised that I have had a little hiatus from hiking. I’m OK, still ran on UT’s track on Mondays and I maintained my treadmill use and my weight lifting regimen.)
Today’s hike of ~15.2 miles included the 1.8 mi. Bone Valley Trail; this trail was one of the last ones needed by Janetta Baker and Bob Bolinger in their quest to qualify for The 900 Miler Association (i.e., completing all designated trails in the GSMNP—on Sep. 17 they will complete their quest by hiking a few short trails in the vicinity of the Tunnel to Nowhere near Bryson City).
I arrived at Food Lion at 6:45; we embarked for the Fontana Marina at ~07:00 and my passengers were John Hutenspiler and Dick Ledyard. After treks including miles on the Foothills Parkway and the Dragon, we arrived at the Marina at 08:35. In addition to the three cars leaving Food Lion, other hikers went directly to the marina. Our boat with 16 from our group left the marina ~08:50 and docked near Campsite 86 at 09:15. From there we had ~0.5 mi. to reach the Hazel Creek trailhead.
We started on Hazel Creek (4.5 mi. & 0.8 mi. sections) at 09:30; after a short time I decided to get a little aerobic workout and John H. joined me. We completed the 4.5 mi. section at 10:50. We waited for others and then finished the 0.8 mi. section and started on Bone Valley. (I totally missed seeing Campsite 83, where I had camped in March 07 on a 4-day backpacking outing in which Bone Valley was one of the trails covered then.)
Bob Bolinger and I (and a few others) rock-hopped the stream crossings on Bone Valley. One must be very careful for some rocks are slippery; most put on their water shoes at the first one and kept them on. We arrived in the cleared area of the Hall Cabin; in the picture Bob is on the R. and I believe Dick Ledyard on the L. I looked for the foundation of the Kress Lodge; it is more difficult to see in Sep. than in March. Once I went a few feet into the growth area I saw the it and the chimney which was in the center of the lodge; then the others who had not seen this previously examined the remnants. It must truly have been a magnificent lodge in its day. After eating lunch both Bob B. and I put on our water shoes for the return trek; that made the crossings very easy. After the last stream crossing on Bone Valley all in water shoes put on their boots. It was not until taking a few steps on Hazel Creek did I finally see Campsite 83.
We arrived at the point where the boat let us off in the morning at 15:10. The second photo is of some of the hikers waiting; the boat picked us up ~15:30. It was not until we came within site of the marina that I remembered that I had forgotten to ice my knee; however, it was a very easy hike so there should not be any consequences. After the ride back to Maryville and and after dropping John and Dick off at Food Lion, I picked up a salmon dinner from Captain D's and arrived home at ~18:15. (Although I got my Omega 3's, the salmon was dry.)
Today’s hike of ~15.2 miles included the 1.8 mi. Bone Valley Trail; this trail was one of the last ones needed by Janetta Baker and Bob Bolinger in their quest to qualify for The 900 Miler Association (i.e., completing all designated trails in the GSMNP—on Sep. 17 they will complete their quest by hiking a few short trails in the vicinity of the Tunnel to Nowhere near Bryson City).
I arrived at Food Lion at 6:45; we embarked for the Fontana Marina at ~07:00 and my passengers were John Hutenspiler and Dick Ledyard. After treks including miles on the Foothills Parkway and the Dragon, we arrived at the Marina at 08:35. In addition to the three cars leaving Food Lion, other hikers went directly to the marina. Our boat with 16 from our group left the marina ~08:50 and docked near Campsite 86 at 09:15. From there we had ~0.5 mi. to reach the Hazel Creek trailhead.
We started on Hazel Creek (4.5 mi. & 0.8 mi. sections) at 09:30; after a short time I decided to get a little aerobic workout and John H. joined me. We completed the 4.5 mi. section at 10:50. We waited for others and then finished the 0.8 mi. section and started on Bone Valley. (I totally missed seeing Campsite 83, where I had camped in March 07 on a 4-day backpacking outing in which Bone Valley was one of the trails covered then.)
Bob Bolinger and I (and a few others) rock-hopped the stream crossings on Bone Valley. One must be very careful for some rocks are slippery; most put on their water shoes at the first one and kept them on. We arrived in the cleared area of the Hall Cabin; in the picture Bob is on the R. and I believe Dick Ledyard on the L. I looked for the foundation of the Kress Lodge; it is more difficult to see in Sep. than in March. Once I went a few feet into the growth area I saw the it and the chimney which was in the center of the lodge; then the others who had not seen this previously examined the remnants. It must truly have been a magnificent lodge in its day. After eating lunch both Bob B. and I put on our water shoes for the return trek; that made the crossings very easy. After the last stream crossing on Bone Valley all in water shoes put on their boots. It was not until taking a few steps on Hazel Creek did I finally see Campsite 83.
We arrived at the point where the boat let us off in the morning at 15:10. The second photo is of some of the hikers waiting; the boat picked us up ~15:30. It was not until we came within site of the marina that I remembered that I had forgotten to ice my knee; however, it was a very easy hike so there should not be any consequences. After the ride back to Maryville and and after dropping John and Dick off at Food Lion, I picked up a salmon dinner from Captain D's and arrived home at ~18:15. (Although I got my Omega 3's, the salmon was dry.)
posted by Wendell Liemohn at 11:02 PM
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