Post 900 Hike #154: Rhodendrum Creek, Grapeyard Ridge, Injun Creek

Bob Bolinger was asked to come up with a hike that could be conducted the morning of Dec. 14th prior to our Margaret Stevenson Wednesday Hikers' Xmas party in
Gatlinburg. He was exploring a probable recommendation that he would make; I chose to go with him.

I met Bob at our usual meet-up site in Sevierville; because of an accident on US 129, I had to take back roads in unknown territory that delayed our meet-up. Bob took it in stride and I rode with him to the Greenbrier entrance to the GSMNP off US 321. We then took Rhododendron Creek Trail; this is a "manway" ~1 mi. S. of the Greenbrier Ranger Station. As might be expected, this manway followed Rhodendron Creek; the first picture shows water falls adjacent to this rather pretty trail that few see.



When we came to Rhodendron Creek Trail's junction with Grapeyard Ridge Trail; we took the latter, thinking James Gap would be a possible turn-around spot for hikers choosing to do this trail 12/14. However, after reaching James Gap we continued on Grapeyard Ridge ~200 yds to the remains of the steam engine that fell off this quasi road back in ~1920. In the Brown Book it is stated that the steam engine was brought to this area in the 1920's to saw wood for the Greenbrier School; however, on this self-propelled equipment's return it did not execute a switchback and tumbled into the creek. It was salvaged and about all that remains is what is seen in the picture plus its big drive wheels.





We then went to Campsite 32 just off of Grapeyard Ridge on Injun Creek trail (i.e., a manway). I could not believe how good a shape this manway is in today! Of course like many trails it once was a road; however, even though not given the upkeep that most trails receive, it is about as nice a trail that I have ever hiked. It even has four "logged bridge" stream crossings which also were in good shape; Bob thinks that this trail will make it to the list of required trails to gain membership to The 900-Miler Association. We followed this excellent trail until its junction with Greenbrier Road; at this point in time my GPS indicated that we had traveled 3.84 miles. Even though that would sound like a reasonable morning hike prior to our Christmas Party, there is a little over 900 ft of "up" by the time one reaches James Gap; thus turning around there is an option that some would take. We then walked on the road ~1 mi. S. from the Ranger Station to Bob's SUV; when we arrived there our moving average speed for the day was 2.8 mph (2.7 mph on the manways/trails) and our total walking distance was 4.75 miles.

Just outside the GSMNP we stopped at the home of a man who does bear carvings; although he was out of town, I was able to reach him by telephone and I believe that I will contract with him for a "bear climbing a tree" to be placed off my back deck. We then stopped at a little restaurant that has the best Reuben sandwiches; it was a late lunch but a great one. (I had stopped there once with BZ and Bob; it is among the Gatlinburg resident BZ's favorite ones.)