Post-900 #155: Curry Mtn, Meigs Mtn, Meigs Crk

The Wednesday hike that I selected to do today was one organized by Bill Broome and Tom Wainner; it was Curry Mtn (3.3), Meigs Mtn (1.9), and Meigs Creek (3.5). The latter two trails are amongst the very few that I have only hiked once; I had last done these two trails in 2005 (my first year of hiking).

I went to the Alcoa Cracker Barrel meet-up at 07:30; because the hike would start out of Metcalf Bottoms close to the Curry Mtn trailhead, I agreed to leave my SUV at The Sinks (Meigs Creek Trail culmination). I then rode with Tom et al. to Metcalf Bottoms; there were more hikers there than we anticipated. Although a key swap was considered, instead two vehicles were moved to The Sinks and the drivers of same were shagged back to Metcalf Bottoms by Bob Bolinger. I had considered waiting until Bob returned but ended going with those taking the short trek to the trail head ~08:45, thinking that would leave an option open of going to see a wood carver in Gatlinburg.

Initially I hiked with Tom and then with Joel Morris; the latter had had both knees replaced ~one year ago and was really moving along fine. Most of the trail was once a road and is a relatively easy up (total gain ~1,200'). The first picture was taken in the direction of Sugarland Mtn. After reaching Curry Gap I chugged a little and arrived at the junction with Miegs Mtn at 10:10 (my average speed was 2.7 mph). The second picture is of my cohorts at Buckhorn Gap; from left to right they are Larry Roovers, Phil, Alan Schultz, and Jim Ley.





As we were ready to leave the late starters Dale Teague and Peter caught up with us; I chose to no longer set the pace and Dale led once we started on Meigs Mtn (~400' of down); he set a very good pace for by the time we reached Meigs Creek Trail our average speed was 2.8 mph for the 5.2 miles hiked.

Meigs Creek Trail crosses its creek numerous times; sometimes these crossings are referred to as "rock hopping" crossings. However, although we never needed to don water shoes, many of these 18 crossings required "very careful" steps from one rock to another. One in our group of 7 may gotten one ankle slightly wet; however, no ever fell despite a few relatively challenging crossings. Meigs Creek Trail ends with ~400' of climb; I belatedly decided to get an aerobic workout again and pushed it a bit. When I arrived at The Sinks my moving average speed for the 8.88 mi. hiked (~0.38 of this was road miles from Metcalf Bottoms to Curry Mtn trail head) my moving average speed was 2.9 mph. (It should be noted that the time waiting at trail heads or even just stopping as is necessary in group stream crossings does not figure in the average speed calculation by my GPS. The total ascent for this hike was 1,613'.

At The Sinks (also a tourist stopping point--stimulus funding has resulted in dressing up this area including adding a considerable amount of parking) we ate lunch and I took this picture. Just below the rock in the foreground is some relatively deep water with a bit of under tow that can be quite dangerous. This past summer a young woman drowned there; I have no idea how many fatalities have occurred at The Sinks over the years. I drove a few over to Metcalf Bottoms to their cars and I waited around for a few others to return. It was a great day and a nice hike.