Post 900 Hike #72: Balsam Mtn, Mnt Sterling Ridge, Pretty Hollow Gap, Palmer Creek

In Ellie’s absence BZ Lane and I scheduled hikes this week; the ones scheduled were Cataloochee-area hikes and we encouraged individuals striving to gain admittance to the 900 Mile Association to give us hike ideas. The hike that I elected to go on was organized by Dick Ledyard; it included the following Cataloochee-area trails: Balsam Mtn—4.3 mi., Mt Sterling Ridge—3.9 mi., Pretty Hollow Gap—4.0 mi., and Palmer Creek—3.3 mi.

John Hutsenspiller picked me up at Lake Side Market ~0600; we proceeded to Food Lion and picked up Dick Ledyard. Then we were off to our hike via: US 321 and Little River Road to SVC, US 441 to Cherokee, Blue Ridge Parkway to Heintooga Ridge Rd and then to Balsam Mtn Rd. We left John’s vehicle at the Palmer Creek Trail head (our terminus) and then walked 0.8 miles on Balsam Mtn Rd to Pin Oak Gap and the Balsam Mtn trail head.

We started on Balsam Mtn trail at 0921; it is a relatively easy trail with a 1,000 ft gain in its 4.3 miles. Shortly after we started I elected to go first to endeavor to get my aerobic workout for the day; however, I only got my HR up to 145. At 1031 I had covered the 4.3 mi. and reached Mt. Sterling Ridge Trailhead. (The picture shows John and Dick by the trail sign there.) The latter 3.9 mi. trail is quite flat; I believe that John lead and we arrived at Pretty Hollow Gap at 12:30. We all ate lunch and I aired by feet and changed socks (my new regimen). At 12:52 we heard a little thunder and began on Pretty Hollow Gap Trail; John led for he was thinking of also doing a 0.8 mi. segment of Little Cataloochee trail (this would be an extra 1.6 mi. for him in order to get back to our next trail--Palmer Creek. (On our way down Pretty Hollow Gap we met Martha Frink, Martha Norton, and Barbara Slover; they were doing up and back on Pretty Hollow Gap for their 2nd 900.) We took it easy and finished this trail at 1437.

At 1438 we started on Palmer Creek; this trail has a 1500 ft climb in its 3.3 mi.; somewhere past mile 2 I realized that it had more “up” than I had anticipated. I then led in hopes of getting my HR to 150 (~3 times my sitting resting pulse) I am not sure when I started to use that as a challenge. I was able to reach my HR goal shortly and then slacked off; if the trail had had a level (or down stretch) my HR would have been in the 120's to 130's, but it stayed above 140 bpm for the rest of the way. Because I had not expected this much continual climb, I was quite happy to arrive at John’s car at 1558 (my pedometer registered 16.06 mi., 32,423 aerobic steps & 1275 kcal. burned. I then iced my knee; shortly thereafter Dick provided iced drinks that really hit the spot.

We then set out for home, continuing on Straight Fork Rd, Big Cove Rd, US 441 from Cherokee to SVC, Little River Rd, Wears Valley Rd. and US 321 (it really rained hard on latter), Hall Rd., US 129 (where John dropped me off at its junction with Topside Rd, ~2 mi. from my home). I arrived home ~1915; my Airedale Terrier Winston was extremely delighted to see me. He was also very hungry.