Post 900 Hike #113: Fork Ridge--5.1, Deep Creek--9.6

This was my firt hike in 3-weeks; my left foot/boot problems were the reason for the rest. It was also why I chose to wear my really broken-in boots (believe I had a good 2,000+ mi. on them). I chose to do this hike because originally only Doug Jerger and Melanie Harmon were scheduled to do it; they are both working on their 900 and I like to see at least three people on each hike.

Arrived at Food Lion ~06:15; at 06:30 left with Doug and David as passengers. We arrived at SVC at 07:20; Bob Bolinger joined us and we set out for the Fork Ridge trailhead which is ~4.2 mi. from Newfound Gap on the Clingmans Dome Rd (that trailhead is also the point that I aim for on X-C ski ventures when there is not enough time to make it to the Dome). At the trailhead Debra Barton, Melanie Harmon, and Gracia Slater (had never met or hiked with her) joined us (David went with the car that dropped the others off for his hike starting on Clingmans Dome).

The 6 of us were on the trail at 07:20; it was at this point that I realized that I had forgotten my pedometer. [Even though I had my good HR-monitor (I look at it primarily on serious ups--this hike was basically down), my pedometer data like kcal burned with my HR on serious ups (in addition to mileage) are the kind of info that I use to drive me; thus with the absence of technical data along with my foot problems, I felt that this hike was destined to be a bummer.] I had done Fork Ridge in-and-out at leat 3-times previouly.

We finished Fork Ridge <11:00; it then took us a few minutes to determine the best place to cross Deep Creek (water shoes were necessary). This is a very compatible group; everyone can move. We stopped at Campsite 54 for lunch; from L-R they are Bob, Debra, Melanie, Doug, and Gracia; the latter two were planning a longer sojourn rather than take just Deep Creek trail.



It started to rain as we finished lunch but stopped before I got my poncho on. Debra, Melanie, and Gracia led (each is a very strong hiker); Bob, Doug and I got a little interested in a fresh bear track. In the picture presented to get a better perspective of size, Bob placed his hand by it (that's no small hand--it is commensurate with Bob's 6'4" height). This is a front paw print; a rear-paw one would have a much greater length with sort of a human-like heel.



Although I planned to go with Doug and Gracia on their slightly longer sojourn, just prior to reaching their cut-off trail I decided that so doing might be a little too much for my L-foot. For the last 3-trail miles Debra and Melanie led; they really moved. After we got on the road, we met countless tubers going to an upstream starting point; obviously all of my prior hikes in this locale were not in the summer for I never saw so many tubers (this locale is on the very edge of the GSMNP--tubes are acquired from private venders).

We arrived at the picnic shelter ~16:00; a few who had taken a shorter hike were already there. My L-foot did not look too bad; the gel "toe sleeve" that my podiatrist gave me did the trick for my middle toe; however, my L-boot opened further at the bunion site (hereafter I will retire my LL Bean Cresta boots (Italian)and use my new Aslos (made in the Ukraine). I also iced my knee. John Slater picked up Gracia and Doug so that they did not have to walk a lot of road (John & Gracia live in nearby Silva NC). It was quite interesting talking to John; both he and I were on active duty in the Navy and retired while in the Naval Reserves as O-6's.

The bus from the Cherokee Indian Reservation came ~17:20; then it was on to Bryson City and then back into the GSMNP to pick up the other hikers on Lakeview Drive by The Tunnel. Then back to Bryson City, the seemingly long drive to Cherokee, then back on US 441 to Newfound Gap; one solace was that those who rode in my SUV could get out by the Fork Ridge Traihead. However, we still had a long ride down the mountain to SVC, dropped Bob off, then on the winding River Road to Metcalf Bottoms, and then the initially winding U.S. 321 to Food Lion in Maryville. I picked up a salmon dinner at Captain D's and arrived home ~20:40.