Post 900 Hike #54: Cove Mtn (8.4) & Laurel Falls (4.0)

Today’s hike was Cove Mountain (8.4 mi.) and Laurel Falls (4.0 mi.). Arrived at Food Lion ~06:50; Richard Ryburn, Charlie Woodward, were already there and Theresa Yu and Lowell Reid arrived shortly. We set out for SVC; I rode in Charlie’s SUV along with Theresa; Lowell rode with Richard. At SVC Bob Bolinger and Jim and Nancy Carmen joined us. To facilitate logistics a key exchange would be done; some would start at Fighting Creek Gap (do Laurel Falls 1st) and some would start at SVC (do Cove Gap 1st). Richard wanted to start at SVC (hiking this way had a little more climb); I elected to join him and the others set out in either Charlie’s SUV or Richard’s car to Fighting Creek Gap.

Richard and I walked ~0.5 mi. to get to the Cove Creek trailhead. After a little climb we were in essence at the Northern border of the GSMNP; from here we could see private homes and cabins, and Gatlinburg Ski Mountain. Where the road was particularly close to our trail we walked over to it to get coordinates; one reason I wanted to do this hike was to check out access to Cove Mtn. Trail via public roads in Gatlinburg. Although the access is steep from both ends, in the middle I had seen nominal potential for XC-Skiing when I had hiked this trail 2-3 years ago. These little sojourns added appreciably to our time but we were in no hurry.

Mt. LeConte was often visible to the North; three of its peaks appear slightly to the right of center; however, its Easternmost peak (Hightop) is somewhat obliterated whereas Cliff Top and Myrtle Point area quite visible (all are over 6,000 ft). We talked to our cohorts working their way East shortly after lunch; we also met a few others on the trail including somewhat to our surprise a Park Ranger.

Not much else happened until we were more than half way down Laurel Falls Trail; we could hear many voices. The falls itself is ~1.3 mi. from the parking lot on River River Rd (Fighting Creek Gap). This is a very easy paved trail from the parking lot to the falls. When I volunteered at SVC information desk I often recommended it to tourists; however, for some out of shape visitors it presents a challenge.

We arrived at Richard's car ~16:00; then it was on to Food Lion and my SUV. It was a nice and easy hike; moreover, Richard and I were not at loss for things to discuss.

Post 900 Hike #53: Gregory Ridge & Bald (in/out) 14+ mi.

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Today I elected to go on an Alternate Hike that Charlie Woodward needed for his 900 Mile Certification; it was Gregory Ridge (5) and Gregory Bald (2 on map, 2.3 in Brown Book) to Doe Knob, and return. John Hutenspeler picked me up at the Lakeside Market on U.S. 129 at 06:35; we proceeded to Food Lion. Shortly thereafter Theresa Yu and Charlie arrived. We then went via Charlie’s SUV; at the Y Bob Bolinger joined us and we proceeded to Caves Cove and arrived at our Forge Creek parking point at ~08:30. In Cades Cove we saw countless deer; fortunately there were not many cars stopping on the roadway at this time.

The first leg of this hike had ~2600 ft. gain in its 5 mi.; a couple of us completed this in 2 hrs (i.e., at 10:30) Towards the end of Gregory Ridge the trail was covered with snow; although we might not really have needed them, the 4 of us who had grabicers put them on. Not sure exactly when we started the Gregory Bald section (going East); it had less than a 100 ft. gain but there were several ups and downs in this 2 (as per map) or 2.3 mi. trek (as per Brown Book). It is not a particular easy trail. Because I will be making a presentation at Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge on XC-Skiing and Winter Hiking in the GSMNP in January, today I began to embellish my picture stock of hiking in the snow, I made numerous stops and quit recording trail times. Unfortunately because of a battery problem and/or failure to reset my camera for the reflective conditions of snow my pictures were not too good. The first picture is of Charlie, Theresa, and Bob approaching Doe Knob; in the second picture Theresa, Bob, John, and Charlie are eating lunch at Doe Knob. In retrospect I should not have tried to get the trail sign in addition to my fellow hikers.

As we retraced our steps Bob and I made numerous stops for pictures; we had a good view of Thunderhead, Rocky Top, and what we believe was Clingmans Dome. My pictures did not do these views justice; Bob is very good photographer and his pictures of Thunderhead and we think Clingmans Dome (if you enlarge each picture, you'll see a patch of snow near the top on each). Think Bob and I got back to Charlie’s SUV ~15:30; Charlie, Theresa, and John were waiting for us. The trip out of Cades Cove took a little longer since many tourists stopped to look at deer; there were many and evidently seeing a deer in the wild was a new thing to many tourists.

I arrived home at ~16;50.

Post 900 Hike #52: Noland Divide, Pole Rd Cr, Deep Creek et al.

Today’s hike required logistics for a bus from the Cherokee Indian Reservation would pick us at Deep Creek and take us back to our cars at different sites on U.S. 441. I left for Food Lion ~06:35. I rode with Richard Ryburn and we picked up Jerry Roddy (new to our group) in Townsend. Dick Ledyard drove his van and Bill Jacks (I had hiked with him only once previously) rode with him. We arrived at SVC ~07:55 and met up with Frank Marsh and Steven Edwards (more on him later. Although they did not start with us, four others were doing hikes that would end at Deep Creek and will be mentioned later.

Our group arrived at the Noland Divide trailhead at ~08:45 and we got started at 08:50. I tend not to push going down (i.e., an aerobic workout is not feasible) and covered the 3.7 mi. in 78 min. We started the 3.3 mi. Pole Rd Creek trail at 10:30. On this trail we also met 3 of our cohorts (Jane Calfee, Debbie May, & Vicki Watkins) who had come down Deep Creek Trail and were now going up Pole Rd Creek; they were doing a longer hike but would meet us at the Deep Creek pavilion after coming down Noland Divide. We arrived at Deep Creek Trail at 11:55 and stopped for lunch at 12:30 at Campsite 57. Since I forgot my camera, Steven and Dick were gracious enough to provide me with some pictures. The first two were taken at lunch just after crossing Deep Creek from Pole Rd Creek Trail; from left to right at lunch are Bill, Steven, Frank, me, Jerry, & Richard (Dick took pic).

At 12:50 we continued on Deep Creek; however, when we hit Martins Gap trail Frank, Steven, Jerry, Richard, and Dick went on it while Bill and I continued on Deep Creek. We did this because Glen Howard was ahead of us on this trail and alone. We finished Deep Creek between 15:00 and 15:30; Bill is quite a photographer and we stopped for a number of pictures. Since Bill had not done Juney Whank Falls Trail, we came back on it and then redid part of Deep Creek (our hike totaled ~15 miles). The 3rd pic is of the small falls feeding into Deep Creek near the trail's terminus.

When we arrived at the pavilion, Jane, Vicki, Debbie, and Glen were already there; our other cohorts arrived shortly and the bus picked us up at 15:30. Because our passenger list was low, we each had to pay $20. for the bus. On the bus I had a chance to talk to Steven although I had talked to him a little on the trail too. Steven endeavors to use vacation days to get off work in order to do hikes that require logistics; he is a strong hiker despite the fact that he does not use poles. (I guess that this old Norwegian is going to have to sit down with him and explain why we Nordics use poles.)

The bus dropped Jane, Vicki, and Debbie off at their vehicle just below Newfound Gap and then carried us on to ours just below Clingmans Dome; although it was only 38 degrees, it was cold and windy (I did not bother digging either my vest or coat out of my pack). It was dark by the time we arrived at SVC; I believe that I arrived home shortly after 19:00. (I forgot my camera; if a fellow hiker forwards me any pictures, I will add them.)