Post-900 Hike #153: Porters Creek

Porters Creek, my hike for today, was the one in which John Hutsenpiller qualified for membership in The 900 Miler Association. It was a little less than four years ago that I met John at a dog park and told him about our hiking club; ironically the first hike that he went with me was about twice as long as the one done today. (In retrospect that was sort of dumb of me and it's a wonder that he did not quit after that hike; moreover, he persisted even though three different health issues curtailed his hiking.) The hike that he chose for his finale was Porters Creek; 3.7 mi. in (John finished his quest at this point), but since it dead-ends, an additional 3.7 mi. out.

Originally I thought that just a few of us would be there to witness John's accomplishment; however, there were 12 including John's wife Martha. Unfortunately in this picture I captured only eight at the start of the hike; from L to R they are Dick Ledyard, Joan Tomlinson, Lane Hughes, Ellie Doughty, the honoree John, Judy Gross, Lowell Reed, and Amy Howe. Not in picture were Frank March, John's wife Martha, Janetta Baker, and me.



This is a hike in which the trail is quite different in the spring than it is in the fall; although the flowers bring many to this trail in April and May, I think it is much neater in the fall. Moreover, on our way back we met far more people than I would have expected to hike this trail in the middle of the week. Unfortunately many of these were not hikers and doubtfully would complete the hike. One of the more unique log bridges in the park is on this trail; it not only has an angle in it, it's height above the stream is relatively high.

The next picture shows John at the point in which he completes the 900 and passes under the trekking poles; usually that perk is not present.



The last picture was taken at a shelter a short distance from the trail. In addition to this cake which depicts the GSMNP, John's wife Martha had toothpicks with trail-name pennants on each, as well soft drinks. It was really a neat occasion for a neat guy.