Post 900 Hike 150: Rich Mtn Loop

My recently retired Monday running buddy at UT (Craig Wrisberg) indicated that he would like to hike this Wed. The hike that I originally planned to do was out of Cosby; however, I did not think that the driving required for a relatively short hike would be the best choice for him. Thus I chose a hike out Cades Cove; it was Rich Mountain Loop (3.3), Indian Grave Gap (out and in 1.1, 1.1 & 0.8, 1.8), and Crooked Arm Ridge (2.2). Bob Bolinger indicated an interest and he met us at Townsend Y at 0830; because I wanted to show Craig the Rich Mountain Road and how familiarity with same could be advantageous (e.g., getting to Ace Gap & Rich Mtn trails), both Bob and I drove to Cades Cove. (Do not believe the distance from Cades Cove Rd to the first and last trails is included in the above.)

After about a mile on Rich Mtn Loop I noted that we were catching a number of hikers; to my surprise Otis's group of our Margaret Stevenson Wednesday Hikers had chosen (at their meet-up site--the plan was not published). Believe we passed all but two from this group of about 20 by the time we arrived at Indian Grave Gap trail (this was an in-and-out that Otis's group was not going to do). I knew most of the hikers and I briefly talked to a few on our way. One was Sue Hung who I had not talked with since the memorial service for her husband; Jim was also was in our hiking group and the mentor of the individual that founded the Garmin Co.

Indian Grave Gap had ~700 feet of descent to Rich Mtn Road and of course ~700 feet of ascent back. At this point we ate our lunch and I took a picture of my two cohorts; unfortunately it was quite poor and fortunately Bob (in essence a professional photographer) used my camera and shot one of Craig and me.


The second picture was taken where our trail (Indian Grave Gap) was on the N-edge of the park; it is of Wears Valley or the area just West of Wears Valley.

When we got to Crooked Arm Ridge I went ahead in order that I could ice my knee in the parking lot. When I finished it there were two hikers that requested that I take their picture by the trail sign. It was here that I also left a note for Bob and Craig telling them that I went to the parking lot. I then walked to the parking lot (~0.5 mi.) talking with the two individuals that I just met.

Craig and Bob enjoyed talking with each other; I enjoyed the hike for I pressed it a bit in the latter part and my neck did not bother me. Yes, I assume that the residuals of my January accident will always be with me; however, as long as the minimal discomfort does not revert to pain I can take it. That is 3-hikes in a row in which pain has not really been a factor after a 6-wk hiatus; however, although Mt. Cammerer had a bit of up, none of these hikes have been very hard or long.

My Garmin GPS data indicated that we went 11.3 mi. with 2,566' of total ascent and our max elevation was 3,676'; my average speed was 2.6 mph.