NC> GSMNP Forney Creek/Ridge Trails? July 4th weekend.

[Rain Man]

Have you been hiking this summer to keep in shape?

Just got back from two weeks hiking the AT through CT and MA. Biggest climb there was about 2,600' I think. Mt. Greylock.

I've been counting these as practice hikes for going to Maine in August for two more weeks on the AT. Those mountains are ... brutal.

[Rain Man]

Anybody know the water situation on Forney Ridge? Is it simply a dry hike? What's the last water we can get as we climb?

[Rain Man]

Well, we made it out alive! Had a great July 4th weekend in our most visited National Park, including a bear encounter. I posted a photo album of the weekend. Here's the link. The first pics are mine, the ones toward the end are another member's from our group. Had great weather and good trails, also nice campsites. Have already planned two return trips to the GSMNP later this month for more practice and conditioning for Maine in August. The 4,200' climb the last day was fairly well spread out over 9.9 miles and at least half on a shared horse trail, so the footpath was good and the grade only moderate. Not bad at all.

Photo album of our weekend.


My photos have captions. That's pretty much my trip report.