Post 900 Hike #142: Hazel Creek et al.

Even though I am the scheduler for the Margaret Stevenson group's hikes for May and June, my job is more like getting the data out on each of the Wednesday hikes. Last week we had five options; today there were four options. Three of the four options ended at Hazel Creek with one pick-up by a Fontana Marina pontoon boat at 1730; seven individuals chose the Hazel Creek hike (Gracia Slater--organizer, Joy Kelly, Becky Gibson, Jim Stanley, Steve Lobertini, Tom Hicks and me). My alarm went off at 0345; I was at the Food Lion meet-up at 0450. Some rather neat logistics were worked out (e.g., leaving two vehicles at Foot Hills Parkway) and proceeding to Clingmans Dome where we met Gracia (from NC).

At 0643 we left Clingmans Dome on the 0.5 mi. Dome Bypass trail. We were on the AT at 0700 and Steve and I finished our 3.8 mi. section of the AT at 0830 (junction of the 1.7 mi. section of Welch Ridge trail which would take us to the trail head for Hazel Creek). While we were waiting for our cohorts at the Welch Ridge trail head we noticed the presence of at least two fawns in the area; possibly we were their first humans for they did not seem to frightened about our presence.



If one were to look at the latest Park Trail Map, Hazel Creek is not on the list of trails which show stream crossings. However, if one looks in the Brown Book 13 stream crossings are noted in its first 6 mi. of its 14.7 mi. length. I wore my water shoes for most and did not put my boots on until we stopped for lunch at Campsite 82. On last week's Eagle Creek hike we had 17 unbridged stream crossings and I took quite a few pictures of my cohorts crossing a number of them; somewhat to my surprise today I did not take one picture of any stream crossings but did take one picture of Hazel Creek as we were abreast of it (which we were for the majority of our hike).



At ~3.7 mi. we reached Hazel Creek Trail's junction with Jenkins Ridge Trail. We waited at this spot ~30 min. and a few hikers from our group who were doing other trails met us there. I believe that it was 1500 when we left this point; in part because I never sat down during our rest break, I was ready to go on the remaining 4.5 mi. of Hazel Creek. Not sure how much time transpired when I looked back but it appeared that I was a good 0.25 mi. ahead of everyone. The adage that I was following was that the faster that I went, the sooner that I would get there (must have averaged >3.0 mph but my GPS had stopped working so I cannot authenticate it). I waited a few minutes after I crossed the last bridge at Proctor (once a thriving logging town). I then decided to take Lakeshore Trail to our boat pick-up site and wait there; however, I found Ramsay (a very fast hiker who had done a different set of trails) waiting short of the pick-up site; he wanted to stay in the plentiful shade. Steve arrived shortly and he and I decided to walk to the site where the boat would pick us up; I wanted to put on my water shoes again and wade to cool my feet, to relax and ice my knee (I also found shade). The rest of our entourage arrived shortly prior to our boat's arrival at ~1730.

On the boat trip back to the marina, Richard Ryburn (our GPS resident expert) was able to get mine functioning again. Did not notice the time of our arrival at the Marina; however, Gracia's husband John was there, and as usual, had ice water. Nothing better after a hike such as this. Gracia and 5 of us (1-2 from our group who were on other hikes) either had vehicles at Clingsman Dome or rode with someone who did. We took a little more scenic route (rather than the Dragon--John & Gracia, being NC folk, were familiar with the roads).

Not sure when we got to the Dome; however, I did not get home until sometime after 2100 and it was getting dark. At the Dome I stopped to give one who I thought might be an AT through hiker; however, he only wanted a ride to Indian Gap. To my surprise he recognized me as one giving a presentation at Wilderness Wildlife Week last year or the year before. On River Road I saw one of the most unique sites that I had ever seen. An oncoming vehicle had stopped, and lo and behold two adult geese, with four goslings in between them as the marched in single file, crossed the road in front of me and then proceeded to walk down the road. I am still kicking myself for not trying to get my camera out and take their picture as they were abreast of my SUV; even though I do not like to walk my dog where geese have been, I doubt if ever again I'll have such a unique picture opportunity.