Post 900 Hike #120: Crib Grap--1.6, Turkeypen Ridge--3.4, Schoolhouse Gap--1.0, Scott Mtn--3.6, Indian Grave Gap--1.8, Rich Mtn--2.3

This is a hike that John Hutsenpiller needs for membership in The 900 Miler Association; this marks the 3rd time that I have done these trails and the first time that I have done them after reaching age 75 (i.e., it qualifies as an entry on my Geezer Map). After my hike in the Cataloochee area last week that finished with Baxter Creek (6.1 mi., 4100' of descent), I needed an easy hike (i.e., one with minimal descent) for my wounded feet. For it I chose to wear my old LL Bean Cresta boots, which have >2000 miles on them, rather than my relatively new Asloo ones.

John picked me up at Lakeside Market at 0645; we arrived at Brown's Creek Food Lion quite a bit prior to our 0730 meet-up time. Otis's group of ~15 for a relatively short hike were also there; Dick Ledyard and Leslie Toney planned to go with us. We did a key swap and John drove to Anthony Creek trailhead in the Cades Cove picnic area, and after a few tenths of a mile on Anthony Creek trail, we started on Crib Gap at 0835. Meanwhile Dick and Leslie entered the GSMNP via Rich Mtn Rd. and started on Rich Mtn trail.

On Turkey Pen Ridge we met those doing Otis's hike (now in 3-groups of 2-5); the last group encountered rain. On Schoolhouse Gap the rain really hit us and a fellow from WV whom we passed but who then kept pace with us. To our surprise we met three others from our Wed. group; stopping to talk to them (as well as to those in the 3-sections of Otis's group), and our subsequent encounter with our key swappers Leslie and Dick, made our trail times somewhat meaningless. (Leslie and Dick had seen a bear; it did not stay around to greet us.)

Because of the cloudiness and the rain, my picture taking was nil. However, on the ridge one at times could momentarily see Cades Cove on the L and Wears Valley on the R. This picture is somewhat representative of the latter trails; that is John with his red rain parka attached to his pack.



Believe we reached Rich Mtn rd and John's vehicle ~1500. I did not think that this hike was apt to damage my toes and it did not; now I am not sure if it was the ease of the hike or the wearing of my old boots that deserves the credit.

Omron trivia:
14.8 mi.
31,415 steps
27,848 aerobic
1157 kcal

Post 900 Hike #114: Ramsey Cascades 4 & 4

Yesterday I had volunteered to do the 25 miler from Newfound Gap on the AT & Snake Den Ridge to Cosby because I was concerned that only two might do it; I like to see at least three on every hike. However, this hike was cancelled; rather than do any of the other 4-5 group hikes scheduled for today (my 2nd choice was a 20+ mi. hike), I decided to do Ramsey Cascades. It is one of the few trails that I have only done once; more importantly it could provide a good indicator of my ability to resolve my left-foot problems.

I started on the 4-mi. trail at 09:12; the first part of the hike is relatively easy as the trail was originally a road along Middle Prong and the Little Pigeon River. The first picture was taken from a foot-log bridge looking upstream on MP.



I stopped shortly after this to administer 1st Aid to my left foot. (It did not really bother me again until some of the downs on my return trip.) Ramsey Cascades Trail becomes narrow and at times steep when it follows Ramsey Prong; in some cases trail crews have built very nice rock steps. I had forgotten about the “ups” on this trail and did not think it is was worth wearing my HR-monitor; had I done so I am sure I would have pushed more to get my HR up 150. Although 150 theoretically exceeds the max HR for one my age, my heart appears to be in pretty good condition (at least it is in much better shape than my L-foot).

I arrived at Cascades and the trail’s end at 10:55; guess my time was not too shabby in that it included my 1st Aid stop and because the trail is not considered such an easy one. One gent from OH was recumbent on a very large boulder at its base; soon a young man, his son and nephew from PA arrived (had seen them earlier). Hiking in the GSMNP is an annual event for them. The next picture is of course the 90' Cascades.



I started my trek down at 11:20; on the way down I met scads of folk coming up in groups of 2-5 (I warned a few of the relatively rough terrain ahead--at the cascades they'll see a big sign indicating that 3 lost their lives there). A few very large Tulip Poplars still exist in this area that were not targeted by the lumber companies ~90 yrs. ago; the two youth from OH are standing in front of this one to give a perspective of its size.



I was alone the last couple miles of my venture; I could accelerate a bit more for the down-parts were not steep. At 13:10 I arrived at my SUV and then iced my knee prior to starting my drive home. For this hike I drove ~100 mi.

Trivia Data Collected: 16958 steps taken, 12575 of them aerobic, 634 kcal burned (Note: down steps were far less aerobic, a major difference being that in going up I push hard but in going down I take it quite easy particularly on steep parts.)

Post 900 Hike #113: Fork Ridge--5.1, Deep Creek--9.6

This was my firt hike in 3-weeks; my left foot/boot problems were the reason for the rest. It was also why I chose to wear my really broken-in boots (believe I had a good 2,000+ mi. on them). I chose to do this hike because originally only Doug Jerger and Melanie Harmon were scheduled to do it; they are both working on their 900 and I like to see at least three people on each hike.

Arrived at Food Lion ~06:15; at 06:30 left with Doug and David as passengers. We arrived at SVC at 07:20; Bob Bolinger joined us and we set out for the Fork Ridge trailhead which is ~4.2 mi. from Newfound Gap on the Clingmans Dome Rd (that trailhead is also the point that I aim for on X-C ski ventures when there is not enough time to make it to the Dome). At the trailhead Debra Barton, Melanie Harmon, and Gracia Slater (had never met or hiked with her) joined us (David went with the car that dropped the others off for his hike starting on Clingmans Dome).

The 6 of us were on the trail at 07:20; it was at this point that I realized that I had forgotten my pedometer. [Even though I had my good HR-monitor (I look at it primarily on serious ups--this hike was basically down), my pedometer data like kcal burned with my HR on serious ups (in addition to mileage) are the kind of info that I use to drive me; thus with the absence of technical data along with my foot problems, I felt that this hike was destined to be a bummer.] I had done Fork Ridge in-and-out at leat 3-times previouly.

We finished Fork Ridge <11:00; it then took us a few minutes to determine the best place to cross Deep Creek (water shoes were necessary). This is a very compatible group; everyone can move. We stopped at Campsite 54 for lunch; from L-R they are Bob, Debra, Melanie, Doug, and Gracia; the latter two were planning a longer sojourn rather than take just Deep Creek trail.



It started to rain as we finished lunch but stopped before I got my poncho on. Debra, Melanie, and Gracia led (each is a very strong hiker); Bob, Doug and I got a little interested in a fresh bear track. In the picture presented to get a better perspective of size, Bob placed his hand by it (that's no small hand--it is commensurate with Bob's 6'4" height). This is a front paw print; a rear-paw one would have a much greater length with sort of a human-like heel.



Although I planned to go with Doug and Gracia on their slightly longer sojourn, just prior to reaching their cut-off trail I decided that so doing might be a little too much for my L-foot. For the last 3-trail miles Debra and Melanie led; they really moved. After we got on the road, we met countless tubers going to an upstream starting point; obviously all of my prior hikes in this locale were not in the summer for I never saw so many tubers (this locale is on the very edge of the GSMNP--tubes are acquired from private venders).

We arrived at the picnic shelter ~16:00; a few who had taken a shorter hike were already there. My L-foot did not look too bad; the gel "toe sleeve" that my podiatrist gave me did the trick for my middle toe; however, my L-boot opened further at the bunion site (hereafter I will retire my LL Bean Cresta boots (Italian)and use my new Aslos (made in the Ukraine). I also iced my knee. John Slater picked up Gracia and Doug so that they did not have to walk a lot of road (John & Gracia live in nearby Silva NC). It was quite interesting talking to John; both he and I were on active duty in the Navy and retired while in the Naval Reserves as O-6's.

The bus from the Cherokee Indian Reservation came ~17:20; then it was on to Bryson City and then back into the GSMNP to pick up the other hikers on Lakeview Drive by The Tunnel. Then back to Bryson City, the seemingly long drive to Cherokee, then back on US 441 to Newfound Gap; one solace was that those who rode in my SUV could get out by the Fork Ridge Traihead. However, we still had a long ride down the mountain to SVC, dropped Bob off, then on the winding River Road to Metcalf Bottoms, and then the initially winding U.S. 321 to Food Lion in Maryville. I picked up a salmon dinner at Captain D's and arrived home ~20:40.

Announcement

It has come to my attention that at least one attempt has been made to view my blog since the June 30th entry. I apologize; two minor orthopedic problems made hiking a little too problematic. Please be advised that I definitely plan on doing a "tunnel" hike scheduled for July 21; I decided to do a hike needed by Melanie Harmon (& possibly Doug Jerger--he may be doing it just to help Melanie) in part because I like to see a minimum of three on each hike. (This hike will end at Deep Creek rather than the tunnel on Lakeview Drive (i.e., the Road to No Where); therefore the bus will be picking us up prior to picking up the tunnel hikers.)

Followers of my blog have noted that very seldom do pictures of me appear since I do not take any of me or let others who offer do the same. My picture has appeared when Bob Bolinger has taken it; however, he in essence is a professional photographer and has taken some most excellent pictures despite my presence in a few. At our little get together this past Wednesday in honor of Margret Stephenson--the founder of our hiking group, John Kennerly took some pictures and forwarded this one to me. Since I have sort of been chastised for not including a picture that one can recognize as being me in my blog, I decided to include include this one for in it our also a few of my best hiking friends. From left to right they are: John Hutsenpillar, BZ Lane, yours truly, Richard Ryburn, and Doug Jerger.

Post 900 Hike #110: Newton Bald--5.4 + 0.7, Mingus Creek--5.7

This is a hike that I elected to do after determining that my first choice (a longer one) would be more apt to upset the problem that I have been having with my feet. This is a hike that John Hutsenpiller and Judy Gross needed for their 900; I needed it for my Geezer 900. Dick Ledyard also did this hike; the latter finished his 900 last year and I believe that about every hike taken since has only been taken to help others achieve their 900. Although I also endeavored to help others achieve this goal, my efforts pale when compared with those of Dick.

John picked me up at Lakeside Market ~07:10; we arrived at SVC ~one hour later. Dick drove his vehicle too to facilitate logistics; Nan NLN met us at SVC; although she was not hiking with us, Dick helped with her logistics too. Dick left his vehicle at Mingus Creek Trailhead and dropped Nan off there; Judy, coming in from Ashville, met us there and we proceeded in two vehicles to the Newton Bald Trailhead by Smokemont; the four of us then proceeded up Newton Bald Trail (~2800' of gain). I took it relatively easy at first and stopped to nurse one foot; ~4 mi. up I decided to give it a go and got my HR up to 151 prior to reaching Mingus Creek junction. We then proceeded to Thomas Divide Trail, met Nan, and then all five us returned to Campsite 52 for lunch. It was a quick lunch for it started to rain quite heavily and we donned rain gear and proceeded on our quest. We did not try to break any records; the trail was relatively nice but had shades of Cold Spring Gap in a few parts (i.e., nothing but rocks to step on). The picture is one that Dick took; from L-R it is John, me, and Judy. (I did not take any pictures because I had a dead camera battery; because I did not bring a pen, I did not record times either.)



Dick and I dropped Judy and John off at the S-end of Tow String trail; we then proceeded to the Bradley Fork Trail in Smokemont Campground (Tow String feeds into it) and waited for John and Judy. (I originally considered doing this trail too but I thought I'd be pressing my luck with my bunion and blister problems.)

When our cohorts arrived Dick took us to Judy's and John's vehicles on U.S. 441; John had some refreshing sodas or tea for us. Then Judy proceeded South on her way back to Ashville; Dick in his vehicle and John and I in his then proceeded North on U.S. 441. John dropped me off at my vehicle ~17:30. In essence it was a good day; both Judy and John got some good mileage towards their 900. I was pleased that my feet did not give me too much of a problem (used my old broken-in boots again); moreover, I got some good miles for my Geezer Map.

Pedometer Trivia (will complete after I download):
Steps:
Aerobic steps: 22,453
Miles:
kcal burned:

Post 900 Hike #109: Roundtop--7.5 mi.

After last week's ~15-mi. hike in which I used new boots and my feet took a beating (despite feeling very good on ups, on downs my toes and my bunion suffered), I did not plan on hiking this week. However, my feet started feeling better Tues. (primarily because of jell-type band aids). Thus I decided to go on the group hike because it was quite short and I felt that my feet could handle it (I also needed Roundtop Trail for my geezer map).

I arrived at Food Lion ~07:50. Because ~16 hikers were doing the hike and a little logistics was required, four of us drove. My passengers were Jim and Nancy Carmen, Diane Scarbrough, and Becky Brown. Those that I conversed with the most were Bill Broome and Jim Carmen (latter in vehicle as well as on trail). Bill was on my very first hike in 2005, and when I did the hike that completed requirements for my memberhip in The 900-Miler Association in 2007, he went above and beyond in providing key logistics in facilitating my last hike (it was from Clingmans Dome to Cades Cove via Thunderhead and Rocky Top). Jim, also a X-C skier, gave me some very good info on Elder Hostel's (now has a new name) X-C ski packages in the West; he also gave me some key info on kayaking. I have acquired a vast diversity of friends in our 240+ hiking group; although I really like to hike, getting friends like Bill and Jim make me all the more thankful that I am a hiker in a great group.

Although Roundtop Trail is a nice trail and relatively scenic, I did not take many pictures. The only one I am posting is Tom Wainer (I believe) crossing Little River at the Townsend Wye as he completed the hike. (When I did this hike in 2006 the water was up to my crotch; today it was no higher than my knee.)



After taking this picture I took a few more bites of my lunch, and then with three other drivers, went in Lloyd's car to pick up our own vehicles so that the three of us could return to the Wye and pick up our passengers. When I got back to the Wye there was a little consternation for a hiker riding in another car had not yet completed the hike. Fortunately he arrived shortly and all three cars then headed back to Food Lion in Maryville.

Post 900 Hike #108: Low Gap II--2.5, Low Gap I--2.5, Big Greek--~1.0, Camel Gap--4.1, AT--2.4, Low Gap--2.5

This is a hike that BZ Lane recommended; I encouraged him to select something for his second map because he hiked with me the past two weeks on hikes that I needed for my Geezer Map. I submitted this Thursday hike to our Wednesday Hiking Group; John Hutsenpiller, Judy Gross, and Ramsay Roth indicated that they wished to do this hike too. I picked up John at Cracker Barrel ~07:05, Ramsay picked up his fellow Gatlinburg resident BZ, and Judy drove in from Ashville NC.

We got started on Low Gap II ~08:32 and finished it (>2000' of gain) at 09:42. My new boots felt great; however, on Low Gap I (~1300' of down, I realized that my sock selection was not appropriate; I had to stop to administer 1st aid. (I caught up with my cohorts; in an unguarded moment at lunch, they are: Ramsay, Judy, BZ, & John.)



On Camel Gap (~1700' of gain), my feet felt good; towards the end of Camel Gap I pushed and got my HR up to 150 on two different occasions. The section of the AT that we then did had both ups and downs; that's where this picture of the rhododendron was taken.



I decided to lead on our final leg (Low Gap II--going down this time) in order that I could ice my knee prior to leaving the GSMNP. If one gets a little advanced of the group, one is more apt to encounter surprises unless one talks to oneself very loudly. In many of my early hikes shortly after starting hiking back in 2005, I often led in hopes that I would see a bear; today it happened. I rounded a curve and low and behold there was a good size male (I think--he did not expose self that much) on the trail. (If you look carefully at this picture you'll see some "extra black" just to the left of his head--you can enlarge by clicking on it.) This I subsequently learned was another bear (assume female or one large cub) who quickly left the trail on the downhill side after seeing me.



I had frozen in my tracks upon the initial citing, after all, bears are supposed to be scared of people. However, the male bear obviously did not know what his reaction was supposed to be when he saw a human; he just eyed me for what seemed to be a very long time! Turning around and running on my part would have totally been inappropriate because the literature states that such a behavior could result in being chased (when I worked for the Forest Service back in the 50's we were told that at least Idaho bears could beat a race horse in 50 yds); having nothing better to do, I zoomed in on him to get the next picture.



Although it seemed like quite awhile, he eventually followed his mate (or offspring) down the embankment. I moved cautiously forward down the trail yelling as I went until I had well-passed the point they had originally defended; I also frequently looked back to ensure that I was still alone on the trail.

I was icing my knee ~16:00 and enjoying a soft drink (that John provided) when my cohorts arrived at our vehicles; it was then that I took out my camera and asked BZ to look at my last picture; although I had not looked at it yet, by his exclamation I knew that I had captured the moment. Shortly thereafter we left the Cosby parking lot; I dropped John off at the Cracker Barrel ~17:35 and arrived home ~18:05; I had put on ~150 miles roundtrip.

Pedometer trivia:
15.69 mi.
33,154 steps
31,367 aerobic steps
1,224 kcal burned