Post 900 Hike #81: Mount Sterling, Mount Sterling Ridge, Balsam Mtn, Gunter Fork, Camel Gap, & Big Creek (19 mi.)

I picked up Cecil at 0630, John Kennerly at 0635, and we proceeded on I-40 to Cracker Barrel at the Strawberry Plains exit. Eight of us were to do the long hike (19 mi.); about the same number were going to do a 12+ mile hike. The three of us also stopped at the Shoney’s on US 321 North of Cosby; I had planed to pick up Dennis McAdams but he was not there. (I subsequently learned that although we were late; Dennis arrived shortly after we had left.)

After we arrived at the Big Creek Campground (our end point), Charlie Woodward (who had organized the hike that we were taking) drove us to Mount Sterling Gap, where we, and those who were doing the shorter loop hike, would start (someone in the latter group doing the loop hike would return Charlie’s SUV to our finish point where my SUV was parked).

At 1002 both groups started on the 2.3 mi. Mt. Sterling Trail; as I often do I started out in the lead; Judy (from NC and one who I had added to our 200+ hiker list at the request of Sharon, Smoky Scout, from Charlotte, whom I had helped arrange a hike back in March) was with me. Judy, an RN (or RN+) hikes a little with our group; she also hikes with North Carolinians. Although Mt. Sterling Trail is only 2.3 mi., it has ~1500 ft. of climb. I had planned to get a good aerobic workout; however, after a brief rest I went ahead and only got my HR to 147 BPM and reached Mt. Sterling Ridge Trail at 1056 (although the trail has a bit of up, they are not continuous and my HR always dropped prior to the next serious up. Our next trail was the 5.3 mi. Sterling Ridge Trail; when we reached the Pretty Hollow Gap Trail junction, Judy et al (including Ellie, John H., and Lowell) went on their assigned route; fortunately I was able to determine the next two hikes during this time. I believe that we ate lunch shortly after this; in the picture our group was Cecil, John K., Frank, Charlie, Jerry Roddy, Vicki, and Richard Ryburn.



I did not record the time that we reached our junction with the 0.9 mi. section of Balsam Mtn Trail that we were to do. Our next trail was the 4.1 mi. Gunter Fork Trail; a trail that is to be avoided in rainy weather (several signs indicating warnings because of stream crossings). I might add that it is a trail that flat-out should be avoided because it is dangerous; for a stick user your right one gets little real use because the trail drops precipitously on the R-side. I was glad that the rain hit us when Vicki, Charlie and I (who were in the lead) had almost finished it. Although the stream crossings were not always a piece of cake, they were not difficult. When we had to cross Big Creek close to its terminus, we donned our water shoes. The three of us in the lead then proceeded about 75 yds. to Camel Gap Trail; at this point I thought that we should return to the Big Creek stream crossing to give those following us some pointers.

After this we were on Camel Gap for only one mile; I moved ahead for I wanted to finish and be able to ice my knee prior to the others finishing. Here the trail signage became a little confusing; at 1645 I reached the sign indicating that I was on Big Creek Trail and had 5.1 miles to go. I decided at this point that I wanted to finish by 1800, so I started moving a little faster than those who were immediately behind me. Not sure how long but less than one mi. I reached another sign indicating that I had 5.1 miles to go. That did not deter me from my goal; I kept it in high gear. In retrospect I should have stopped to take a picture of the falls and also of some of the gigantic rock that were in Big Creek (i.e., the trail parallels the stream); however, although fatigue was not a problem and the trail was boring, my goal of finishing it by 1800 was paramount. Somewhat to my surprise I finished it at 1747; since this was ~30 min. prior to Charlie’s and Vicki’s arrival, I had much more time than I needed to ice my knee. Believe Cecil came next; John arrived shortly thereafter with Jerry. The latter advised us that Frank and Richard had availed themselves of a nice respite in Big Creek; in retrospect I too perhaps should have availed myself of the opportunity to enjoy the moment. However, I am somewhat driven to do everything quickly; since I reached age 75 a little more than two weeks ago, maybe one of these days I will do a better job of enjoying the moment rather than just finishing quickly.