100 Miles in the Smokies (almost)

[Just Jeff]

It's been way too long, but I finally got my Smokies trip report posted! 121 picures...
http://www.tothewoods.net/HikingPicturesSmokies.html

This was one of my favorite trips ever. I ended up hiking the length of the park. My family dropped me off at Mt Sterling Ranger Station just off I-40 at the north end of the park, and I hiked a smattering of trails to get to Fontana Dam in the south. The mileage on the ATC map was consistently less than the mileage posted on the trail signs, but all told it was right around 100 miles...probably 97 or so.

Mt Sterling Trail
Big Creek Trail
Camel Gap Trail
Gunter Fork Trail
Balsam Mtn Trail
Beech Gap Trail
Hyatt Ridge Trail
Enloe Creek Trail
Chasteen Creek Trail
Bradley Fork Trail
Dry Sluice Gap Trail (this was a serious buttkicker and I ran out of water for about 4 miles)
AT from Charlie's Bunyon to Clingman's Dome
Clingman's Dome Bypass Trail
Forney Ridge Trail
Forney Creek Trail
Lakeshore Trail for the final 30-some miles...saw the most wildlife here
Ended at Fontana Dam

This was a great trip! I did some night hiking, saw some bears (one walked right thru the campsite and circled us all night), drank water right from springs, got rain-soaked and didn't care, sweated, thought about nothing and everything, used the Bushbuddy with wet wood every day, slept alone most nights, sweated some more, caught a snake, ate free smoked pork chops, bought two ice creams from the Fontana Dam gift shop, where the lady made me eat half her hamburger and most of her fries, and I took a glorious shower...then drove straight to FL for my sister's graduation.

So check it out and let me know what you think!
http://www.tothewoods.net/HikingPicturesSmokies.html

[Hawk-eye]

Wow ... thanks for posting Jeff ... I enjoyed the read. Love the shot of the tree growing out of the old car.

Sounds like you had a blast.

[Wolverine]

Outstanding! Love the SMNP. Great Pics.

[Just Jeff]

Definitely a great time! Those cars were all over...probably saw 12 of them.

Teaser - I took a lot of video, too. I've looked at most of it but haven't started compiling it into a movie yet.

[Frawg]

That was a great read. Took me vicariously to a "happy place".

[Hawk-eye]

Definitely a great time! Those cars were all over...probably saw 12 of them.

Teaser - I took a lot of video, too. I've looked at most of it but haven't started compiling it into a movie yet.

Ha ... looking forward to seeing that for sure!

[WV]

Thanks for taking us along. Maybe they should close the Smokies because of aggressive no-seeum activity. But it sounds like the trip was worth it anyway. (Come to West Virginia - no bugs, and the bears run away. )

I think the little plants you like are Ground Cedar, but my mother said they were called "Crows' Feet" when she was growing up.

[gunner76]

I think the little plants you like are Ground Cedar, but my mother said they were called "Crows' Feet" when she was growing up

They are Running Cedar Lycopodium digitatum. Use to be very common in North Carolina but hard to find now. low-growing evergreen plant, in a group of plants known as clubmosses. Clubmosses aren't really mosses; they're more closely related to ferns.

[SGT Rock]

Great report and great pictures. Brought back memories.

[mbiraman]

Excellent trip report Jeff. I'm amazed at the groomed trail, beautiful red star flower, beautiful scenery in general. Thanks for sharing.