Mushrooms On A Log In Our AT
Fall Is Here!, The leaves are starting to fall, the acorns and hickory nuts are about to fall and the breeze is cool!
Between the periods of rain we had a couple of absolutely beautiful days. I spent this
patrol on the Cades Cove end of the AT. Despite the horse traffic, the trail
is in excellent shape. Horse riders, dayhikers and backpackers are out enjoying
the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall here in the
Smokies.
Day One: It was a cool and rainy day. I hiked from
Cades Cove to the Russell Field Shelter. Fall is here for sure! The fog and
rain and cold temperatures were typical of Fall in the Smokies. It was good
weather to get to know my fellow backpackers as we hunker down and try to keep
dry!
Day Two: It was cool and foggy and rained off and on
today. I hiked from Russell Field out to the Gregory Bald Trail and then back
to the Mollies Ridge Shelter for the night. We had a group of hikers stop in at
4:15 in the morning! The fog was so thick I don't know how they were out night
hiking. They seemed to be having a good time though!
Day Three: The rain and fog cleared late in the morning
to reveal a beautiful Saturday in the Smokies. I hiked form Mollies Ridge to
Thunderhead Mountain and back to Spence Field Shelter for the night. There was
no new bear sign around the Shelter. I did have a group of 8 college students
that came in at about 7:30 without reservations. They camped in tents and
hammocks outside the shelter. I explained to them why they need to make a
reservation and why they are supposed to stay in the shelter. They informed me
that they knew that they were supposed to have a reservation and stay in the
shelter but they didn't care. I reported the incident to Dispatch and informed
the hikers that they may get ticketed for illegal camping. I gave them some
park maps and reservation forms. It was a frustrating encounter.
Day Four: I hiked from Spence Filed out to Mollies Ridge
and then back to Russell Field Shelter for the night. The trail is in great
shape out here. There were two trees across the trail close to Mollies but they
are easy to step over and not an issue. What a beautiful day to hike through
the hardwoods along the AT in the Smokies. The boomers are cutting the nuts and
the bears are anxiously awaiting them to fall to the ground for an easy
meal.
Day Five: I hiked out early to try and get ahead of the
heavy rains and storms that are headed our way. I had enough rain at the
beginning of this week!
I hope that as the leaves continue to change we will have
a little less rain to make it more comfortable to get out and enjoy the beauty
of Fall on the AT here in the Smokies.
Between the periods of rain we had a couple of absolutely beautiful days. I spent this
patrol on the Cades Cove end of the AT. Despite the horse traffic, the trail
is in excellent shape. Horse riders, dayhikers and backpackers are out enjoying
the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall here in the
Smokies.
Day One: It was a cool and rainy day. I hiked from
Cades Cove to the Russell Field Shelter. Fall is here for sure! The fog and
rain and cold temperatures were typical of Fall in the Smokies. It was good
weather to get to know my fellow backpackers as we hunker down and try to keep
dry!
Day Two: It was cool and foggy and rained off and on
today. I hiked from Russell Field out to the Gregory Bald Trail and then back
to the Mollies Ridge Shelter for the night. We had a group of hikers stop in at
4:15 in the morning! The fog was so thick I don't know how they were out night
hiking. They seemed to be having a good time though!
Day Three: The rain and fog cleared late in the morning
to reveal a beautiful Saturday in the Smokies. I hiked form Mollies Ridge to
Thunderhead Mountain and back to Spence Field Shelter for the night. There was
no new bear sign around the Shelter. I did have a group of 8 college students
that came in at about 7:30 without reservations. They camped in tents and
hammocks outside the shelter. I explained to them why they need to make a
reservation and why they are supposed to stay in the shelter. They informed me
that they knew that they were supposed to have a reservation and stay in the
shelter but they didn't care. I reported the incident to Dispatch and informed
the hikers that they may get ticketed for illegal camping. I gave them some
park maps and reservation forms. It was a frustrating encounter.
Day Four: I hiked from Spence Filed out to Mollies Ridge
and then back to Russell Field Shelter for the night. The trail is in great
shape out here. There were two trees across the trail close to Mollies but they
are easy to step over and not an issue. What a beautiful day to hike through
the hardwoods along the AT in the Smokies. The boomers are cutting the nuts and
the bears are anxiously awaiting them to fall to the ground for an easy
meal.
Day Five: I hiked out early to try and get ahead of the
heavy rains and storms that are headed our way. I had enough rain at the
beginning of this week!
I hope that as the leaves continue to change we will have
a little less rain to make it more comfortable to get out and enjoy the beauty
of Fall on the AT here in the Smokies.
My Favorite Blaze. It Seems To Be A Part Of This Natural Artwork
Often I see things along our beautiful Appalachian Trail that I have to stop and take in for a while. I am grateful to be able to share a few of them with you. A blaze on an old rock or the way the fog silouettes a trail sign. Our Smokies are filled with awesome sights.
When It's Too Foggy To Tell Where You Are Going It's Time To Stop And Just Be Greteful That You Are Where You Are
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