CMC Bi-Weekly Hike News
CMC Bi-Weekly Hike News
May 9, 2008
| All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes |
| Half Day Sunday Hikes |
| Wednesday Hikes |
Looking Back ... with hike reports
| All Day Saturday and Sunday Hikes |
| Half Day Sunday Hikes |
| Wednesday Hikes |
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ALL DAY NO. A0802-216 May 11 ALL DAY NO. A0802-214 May 18 HALF-DAY NO. H0802-602 May 11 HALF-DAY NO. H0802-603 May 18 WEDNESDAY NO. W0802-008 May 14 WEDNESDAY NO. W0802-447 May 21 SATURDAY NO. A0802-454 April 26
Although the weatherman predicted a 60% chance of thunderstorms, it turned out to be a partly cloudy, rain-free, 70 F day on the trail. Four hikers, including a new member on her first CMC hike, enjoyed a great hike. The first mile of the trail led to several historic remnants. Many relics from an era when 800 people lived in and around Greenbrier Cove before The Park was established still remain. What appear to be mere stones were foundations of early 1900’s houses, stores, churches, gristmills, and a school called “Granny College” . The Owenby Cemetery (photo attached) identifies some of the people who are honored by perpetual synthetic flowers left by their descendants . We took a side trip to visit the Messer Family Barn (1875) and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin (1935), still maintained by The Park. The trail led us past Fern Branch Water Falls and ended at Campsite #31 (3,460 ft.) where we paused before returning. Charlie’s Bunion (5,565ft) and Mt.Kephart (6,217ft)/Jump-Off, each within a “ 2 mile bushwhack” , were staring down at us as we reminisced about our recent hikes there. Around 1800, brothers William and Middleton Whaley crossed over Dry Sluice Gap from North Carolina, descended along Porter’s Creek and settled in the Greenbrier Cove (“History Hikes of the Smokies”, Michal Strutin, Great Smoky Mountains Association, 2003).
Highlight of the hike was a gazillion wildflowers along both sides of the trail: Yellow, White and Painted Trilliums, Wild Geranium, Robin’s Plantain, Fringed Phacelia, Stonecrop and others were among the 49 different species in bloom identified by Bruce. Many wildflower enthusiasts were on the trail. Several groups came as a part of the “Wildflower Pilgrimage” in the park : http://www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org/ . ALL DAY NO. A0802-066 Apr. 27
Under threatening skies, and after a little rain on the way to the trailhead, 12 fearless hikers set out from Garenflo Gap on the way up to the summitt of Bluff Mountain. At the trailhead the leader had informed hikers this would not be a simple in and out, but an adventure on the A.T., two parts of old A.T., some old fire roads and a quarter mile bushwhack. As we worked our way up the trail we met thru hikers as well as weekend warriors (section hikers). Along the trail, the leader pointed out parts of the trail that had been recently rehabilitated by the trail crews of the CMC. Bruce and Becky identified countless wild flowers for us as we enjoyed the beauty and colors of early spring and kept a watchful eye on the sky. One of the thru hikers told us of his encounter the night before with a bear. A father and son told us about the privy at Walnut Mountain Shelter that had been assaulted and nearly knocked off its foundation by a bear. As we neared the summit and our lunch spot the leader promised a dry lunch provided that everyone ate very fast! Within minutes of continuing on beyond our lunch spot, the rain began to fall and the fog rolled in. It rained the rest of the hike. Sometimes lightly and sometimes very heavily. Luckily, the lightning stayed in Tennessee almost a mile away from us. The bushwhack was a little slippery due to the rain, but that only added to the adventure. On the way down the mountain we stopped at an old demolished cabin near Big Rock Spring and adjusted our raingear. About a mile from the trailhead we took a break from the rain in an old tobacco barn near an abandoned cabin. The rain relented for us to pack up and get in our cars. A great time was had by all despite a little rain. Jim. ALL DAY NO. A0802-605 May 4 An absolutely splendid day for a hike as you can tell by the smiles on our faces. Three hearty hikers participated on this AA+AA+ hike (Paul, Jude and Don). We departed Clingman’s Dome at 9:40 AM on Forney Ridge Trail for 5.3 miles (although the mileage around the Clingman’s Dome area is different depending on the source) to Schoolhouse Branch Trail. The day was beautiful with blue sky (the few clouds that you could count by number must have been the partly cloudy in the forecast) and not a drop of precipitation. It was all downhill in the first half of the hike. We reached campsite #64 at Solola Valley which was a terrific campsite--picnic tables and all. But we continued on to site #63 to get another mile or two under our belt before we began the long and at times arduous 3,500 foot climb over the last 7 miles of the hike.
We had a few challenging stream crossings along Noland Creek trail but generally were able to go upstream a bit to find a rock hop. Many wildflowers were in bloom—violet, yellow, white, etc. And several sections where the butterflies were numerous. After lunch we began the long uphill climb, arriving at our car at 6 PM. Tired but no injuries or encounters with wild animals. In fact, we did not see a single other hiker on the trail. A minor casualty was the split in Don’s famous American Flag hiking britches which gave a new meaning to “add color to your cheeks”. I guess it is time to retire them as repair seems fruitless. Don.
At the lower elevations, the burn was relatively light, and ferns, irises, squaw corn and wood anemones poked through the charred debris. As we climbed higher, rhododendrons and azaleas were clearly burned to a crisp. To my pleasant surprise and the oohs of hikers, in many areas, pink shell azaleas were blooming. As we climbed closer to the summit, we saw more seriously burned areas, but also many azaleas in bud, waiting to bloom for the Wednesday hike. The group enjoyed lunch and at the top of Pilot Mountain with clear views of Looking Glass, the Parkway and beyond. We continued down to Deep Gap and over Sassafras Mountain. At one point, the mountain view was framed by white service berry and pink azaleas. Even one of our more “fast-paced” hikers remarked on the beauty. Blankets of trout lilies were blooming at Farlow Gap and along the gravel road back to our cars. It’s hard not to gush about this hike. I’m happy to lead it again on Wednesday! -- Ruth. Photo on the left by Ruth, on the right by Ashok Kudva HALF-DAY NO. H0802-153 Apr. 27 Eight hikers started this hike in heavy rain and hiked for about an hour before the rain, chill, and slippery terrain suggested an about face. On our return, as we passed a campground, the rain stopped long enough for us to have a brief snack. Short, but sweet, hike. Pat HALF-DAY NO. H0802-049 May 4 It's a long drive to Big Creek, but the rewards are great. 19 hikers in high spirits enjoyed a comfortably paced six-mile hike along this spectacular mountain stream, with stops to identify wildflowers and trees, and to admire hundreds of iridescent butterflies feeding in tight clusters along the trail. Big Creek has smoothed and rounded giant boulders tossed into its way by ancient earth shifts and changes. Rushing waters, turquoise swirling pools, and clear, deep swimming holes are too beautiful to rush past. Two intrepid hikers made it knee-deep into the frigid water but stopped short of plunging in. WEDNESDAY NO. W0802-033 April 23
We crossed the Ramsey Prong on some solid foot-bridges which used huge trees split right in the middle and creosoted to prevent mold growth. At noon we paused for a snack at a huge Tulip Poplar tree. It was wide enough for the six hikers to join hands and wrap around it to pose for Ted. The “Magnificent Seven” paused for lunch at the magnificent Ramsey Cascade Waterfall. After returning to the cars at 5PM, everybody enjoyed dinner and fellowship at The Bear Creek Grille within two miles of the Park entrance. Our long drive was well rewarded.
Two photos are attached and additional photos are accessible through the CMC website: www.carolinamtnclub.org/Photos.htm. Ashok WEDNESDAY NO. W0802-607 April 30   The weather couldn't have been better for this hike. The chilly but sunny spring morning was just right for the heftier climbs, then warmed for our afternoon views from John Rock. Eleven of us enjoyed the moderately paced workout on a variety of trails and environments in mostly familiar territory. Especially notable were a few patches of Winged Polygala (not often seen) and and several Showy Orchis. Congenial hiking companions, lovely wildflowers and a beautiful day-what more could we ask for? Joan. Photos by Ruth Hartzler WEDNESDAY NO. W0802-060 May 7 All-day hikes submitted by Bruce Bente 692-0116, bbente@bellsouth.net . Driving distance is round-trip from Asheville. All Saturday and Sunday hikes assemble at Westgate Shopping Center near I-240 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Half Day hikes submitted by Paula Robbins 828-687-1651 paularww@bellsouth.net and Lucy Prim 828-693-6580 lucette32@mchsi.com. Wednesday Hikes are submitted by Charlie Ferguson, 828-398-0213 ccf108@gmail.com and Ann Gleason, 828-859-9387, gleason.ann@gmail.com . The meeting place for each hike will be designated by the hike leader and will appear in the hike description.
Driving mileage will be listed, round trip, from the first designated meeting place. |
On a sunny day, with the temperature in the seventies, seven hikers, including one who joined us at the Pilot Truck Stop, enjoyed a great hike. The first 1.5 miles was on a wide old logging road with very little climb. Plenty of wildflowers were in bloom on both sides of this wide trail. Blankets of crested dwarf iris and yellow trillium covered parts of both sides before we merged with the ascending single-file trail. The sound and sights of the Ramsey Prong rapids greeted us frequently on the trail. Bruce counted 40 species of wildflowers including White and Painted Trillium, Sweet-shrub, Stone crop, Showy Orchis, Daisy Fleabane, Trout Lily and others.