Reflections Of The Smokies
Doug McFalls Ridgerunner. Coming Down From Silers Bald. (photo by Elise Eustace)
It was a hard week weather wise. But despite the heavy
rains and thick humidity, I reveled in the beauty of our Smokies along the
Appalachian Trail. When I hike in the rain and heavy fog I see the things near
me in a new way.
rains and thick humidity, I reveled in the beauty of our Smokies along the
Appalachian Trail. When I hike in the rain and heavy fog I see the things near
me in a new way.
Here's what I've been up to this rainy week!
Mushrooms Near The Hughes Ridge Trail On The AT
Day One: I hiked in from Newfound Gap to Icewater
Springs Shelter. Then I hiked out across the Saw Teeth to Porters Gap and back
to Icewater Springs for the night. I enjoyed interacting with a lot of Day
Hikers despite the rainfall. There was fresh Hog sign from the Sweat Heifer
trail junction out to the Boulevard trail head. I cut back more briers
around the shelter and cleaned out the drainage. I got to meet one of the
members of the SWEAT crew hiking out from Pecks Corner. What a Great Job SWEAT
is doing on the trail!
Day Two: I hiked from Icewater Springs to Pecks Corner
shelter and then on to Tricorner Knob. This was the most rain I have hiked in
so far. It was a long, wet day! A tree had fallen across one set of Bear
Cables at Pecks Corner, pulling the cable down to the ground. Trey had reported
this earlier. When I arrived at Tricorner Knob there was a lot of trash in and
around the shelter. The rain kept the hikers in today, I only saw 5
backpackers.
Day Three: I hiked from Tricorner Knob out to Snake Den
Ridge and then back to Pecks corner for the night. The sun came out for a while
and the humidity was outrageous! Later it clouded back up and rained some. I
cleared a blowdown 1 mile South of Tricorner Knob. About 1 mile North of Pecks
Corner I ran into a Bear that was easily 350 pounds. He didn't hear me on the
trail and was scared to death when I yelled at him!
Day Four: I hiked from Pecks Corner Shelter to Icewater
Springs Shelter. I reported fresh Hog Sigh near the Hughes Ridge trail
junction. Our Volunteers and the SWEAT crew have done a lot of mowing. There
are fewer and fewer spots that need cutting back. I had the opportunity to meet
Thruhiker Bob Stone,“Ranger Bob” at Charlie's Bunion. Ranger Bob was rescued
from Derrick Knob shelter by Ranger Doug Stringfellow in early April. Ranger
Bob had issues with his blood pressure. Ranger Bob's Doctor cleared him to get
back on trail and he is back out finishing the Smokies. Great job Ranger Doug
Stringfellow and a thanks and Howdy from Thruhiker “Ranger Bob.” It was great
to hear Bob's story and to see him back out on the trail.
Day Five: Out to Charlie's Bunion for an Early Morning
light show and then back to Newfound Gap. After a long night of Rain it was a
nice morning on the AT. Not too many day hikers out yet today.
I hope you had a great week and that your garden got
plenty rain. I hope to see you on the trail soon!
Springs Shelter. Then I hiked out across the Saw Teeth to Porters Gap and back
to Icewater Springs for the night. I enjoyed interacting with a lot of Day
Hikers despite the rainfall. There was fresh Hog sign from the Sweat Heifer
trail junction out to the Boulevard trail head. I cut back more briers
around the shelter and cleaned out the drainage. I got to meet one of the
members of the SWEAT crew hiking out from Pecks Corner. What a Great Job SWEAT
is doing on the trail!
Day Two: I hiked from Icewater Springs to Pecks Corner
shelter and then on to Tricorner Knob. This was the most rain I have hiked in
so far. It was a long, wet day! A tree had fallen across one set of Bear
Cables at Pecks Corner, pulling the cable down to the ground. Trey had reported
this earlier. When I arrived at Tricorner Knob there was a lot of trash in and
around the shelter. The rain kept the hikers in today, I only saw 5
backpackers.
Day Three: I hiked from Tricorner Knob out to Snake Den
Ridge and then back to Pecks corner for the night. The sun came out for a while
and the humidity was outrageous! Later it clouded back up and rained some. I
cleared a blowdown 1 mile South of Tricorner Knob. About 1 mile North of Pecks
Corner I ran into a Bear that was easily 350 pounds. He didn't hear me on the
trail and was scared to death when I yelled at him!
Day Four: I hiked from Pecks Corner Shelter to Icewater
Springs Shelter. I reported fresh Hog Sigh near the Hughes Ridge trail
junction. Our Volunteers and the SWEAT crew have done a lot of mowing. There
are fewer and fewer spots that need cutting back. I had the opportunity to meet
Thruhiker Bob Stone,“Ranger Bob” at Charlie's Bunion. Ranger Bob was rescued
from Derrick Knob shelter by Ranger Doug Stringfellow in early April. Ranger
Bob had issues with his blood pressure. Ranger Bob's Doctor cleared him to get
back on trail and he is back out finishing the Smokies. Great job Ranger Doug
Stringfellow and a thanks and Howdy from Thruhiker “Ranger Bob.” It was great
to hear Bob's story and to see him back out on the trail.
Day Five: Out to Charlie's Bunion for an Early Morning
light show and then back to Newfound Gap. After a long night of Rain it was a
nice morning on the AT. Not too many day hikers out yet today.
I hope you had a great week and that your garden got
plenty rain. I hope to see you on the trail soon!
Elis Esutice.
As You Know, I LOVE to Highlight COOL People I Know. Meet Elise Eustace. Elise is hiking all 900 miles of the trail in our Smokies and working a fulltime JOB. I know, it's painful to see the words Job and Hiking in the same sentence! Check out Elise's Blog and you can keep up with her wonderful experiences along the trails here in our beautiful Smokies. http://alltrailsinoneyear.blogspot.com/p/july-2011-completed-hikes.html
David And Caitlin Worth.
David Worth is a BEAST. He is one of my favorite people that I have cooked for. David can run through the Mountains with blinding speed. He is a Ranger with the National Park Service by day and a Trail Running Mad Man by night. (and weekends) Check out David's Blog and see what you think about 72.4 miles of the AT through the Smokies in less than 15 hours.
http://abackofbeyond.blogspot.com/
http://abackofbeyond.blogspot.com/
