Results 1 to 5 of 5
  1. #1
    Senior Member aBRG2far's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Sevierville, TN
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 double layer
    Tarp
    Big Mamajamba Spin
    Insulation
    JRB Mt Wash4
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    108

    Anthony Creek to Spence Field GSMNP

    Spring has come early to the Smokies so its time to lose the winter fat and hit the trails. I started this one with a motorcycle ride up to Cades Cove and hit the trail head at the rear of the picnic area.



    Wildflowers are coming in about two weeks early this year and on my return leg we had our first 80*F day. A 3.5mi hike and 1500ft climb got me BC campsite #9. Here's some of the flowers along the way.


    Hepatica

    Yellow Violets

    Spring Beauty

    I had the campsite all to myself. This reserved site was supposed to be full with a work crew but they decided to go somewhere else so it was all mine. The reservation office had told me that the entire AT shelter system was full up with the nice weather and Spring Break. In a few weeks thru hikers on the AT will fill them again.


    Home for the night.

    I had my Winter burrow and Mt Wash top quilt with my Blackbird but really didn't need them the temps were only in the low 50's. I had just missed the supper moon by a couple days but when it did break through the forest canopy around midnight I thought someone was in the wood shining a flashlight.


    While answering the call of nature I had a first. Pants down and squatting this fella slithered between my feet to get out of the line of fire. I don't know who was more frightened.


    I can see the top and the AT. FINALLY! After a short but gruelling 1500ft climb in just over 2mi.


    The AT at Bote Mt trail and Spence Field


    Still Winter up top. Not much of a field left this is the largest section of open ground I saw.


    Most of Spence Field looks more like this.


    Spence Field Shelter. Time to head down, a 3000ft decent in 5mi using Bote Mt and Lead Cove trails. I'm still sore two days later.
    You have nothing to fear but fear itself (and bears)

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Md
    Posts
    5,221
    Great pics and report, holy moly must have been summer temps in that hammock with all that insulation!?!?!?
    "yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift---thats why its called a present" - Master Oogway
    It's always best if your an early riser!

  3. #3
    Senior Member Syb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Hammock
    DIY bridge hammock
    Tarp
    OES/WB Superfly
    Insulation
    Incubator/Burrow
    Suspension
    WB Straps
    Posts
    1,697
    Images
    44
    Excellent pics, thanks for the report. Nice bike too! I can't imagine being in the "position" you were in while a snake slithers by. The only thing I can say is at least you didn't soil your shorts
    Syb
    Enjoy the elevation

  4. #4
    Senior Member aBRG2far's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Sevierville, TN
    Hammock
    WBBB 1.7 double layer
    Tarp
    Big Mamajamba Spin
    Insulation
    JRB Mt Wash4
    Suspension
    Whoopie slings
    Posts
    108
    I was able to regulate the temps by striping down and leaving a leg exposed. My pack was still in Winter mode and this trip was last minute.
    You have nothing to fear but fear itself (and bears)

  5. #5
    Senior Member Fronkey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Grass Valley, Ca
    Hammock
    DIY The Crippler
    Tarp
    Cuben Refugee
    Insulation
    The Ex-gf
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    4,848
    The snake had to be more scared than you. Great pics and thanks for sharing.

    Fronkey

  • + New Posts
  • Similar Threads

    1. (video) GSMNP - Big Creek / Mt. Sterling loop - part 1
      By TallPaul in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 20
      Last Post: 09-01-2013, 16:33
    2. GSMNP Big Creek CS37
      By Looknup in forum Southeast
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 05-21-2013, 10:42
    3. GSMNP: Big Creek (Group Area)
      By Buffalo Skipper in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 2
      Last Post: 04-19-2011, 08:49
    4. Hazel Creek and Proctor, GSMNP
      By Hiker9 in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 9
      Last Post: 03-25-2011, 20:08
    5. Porters Creek GSMNP
      By aBRG2far in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 03-09-2010, 05:52

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •