Reflections Of The Smokies
The Berries are getting ripe along the AT here in our Smokies
and that means Bears! Our Wildlife Rangers have done a great job with “bear
control” this season and we haven’t had to close any shelters. I hope that the
bears will stay in the black berries and the backpackers will keep their food
and trash away from the bears. If we can do that everyone will get along just
fine!
and that means Bears! Our Wildlife Rangers have done a great job with “bear
control” this season and we haven’t had to close any shelters. I hope that the
bears will stay in the black berries and the backpackers will keep their food
and trash away from the bears. If we can do that everyone will get along just
fine!
Bear Trap Next To A Shelter On The AT
Here's What I have been up to this week!
Day One: Newfound Gap to Double Springs Gap. Despite
the heavy rains the trail looks really good. With the weather we have had I
expect to see a lot of mud and briars in the trail. But the trail looks nice.
There was fresh hog rooting around Double Springs Gap shelter. There was a
report of bear activity yesterday but I didn't see any today!
Day Two: Double Springs Gap to Derrick Knob Shelter.
There is a beautiful black berry patch between Double Springs Gap and Silers
Bald. I there was a big ole happy bear working the berries as I passed. There
were reports of bears around Silers bald earlier in the week. I spoke to
backpackers that stayed at Silers Bald Shelter last night and they had no bear
problems. There was a lot of food trash out at Derrick Knob Shelter. I had a
good opportunity to educate backpackers about how we cause the bear problems by
our carelessness with our food and trash.
Day Three: Derrick Knob to Double Springs Gap Shelter.
It was a beautiful hike back to double Springs. Again I passed hikers that
stayed at Silers and Double Springs with no bear reports. I did pick up a few
pounds of trash left around Silers Bald. This evening at Double Springs we had
a visit from the 275 pound bear that I had seen in the black berries. He came
within about 30 feet of the shelter. Six backpackers and I yelled and ran him
off. We didn't see him again.
Day Four: Double Springs Gap to Mt. Collins Shelter. No
bear problems overnight or this morning. I had a good opportunity this morning
to educate backpackers about how throwing fruit peelings and apple cores off the
trail is bad for bears. It was really nice to see all the mowing and briars
that have been cut back. Great Job Volunteers! I encountered a group of Scouts
that had stayed at Mt. Collins. They left it super clean! I enjoyed the summer
visit of some Scarlet Tanagers around the shelter. They were very social and
didn't seem to mind my cutting back briars out of the grass.
Day Five: Mt. Collins Shelter to Newfound Gap. I always
love this early morning hike. There has been some beautiful trail work done on
this stretch. A lot of briars have been cut back. A couple of small blowdowns
have been recently removed. When I hear the cars passing along the Clingmans
Dome road I reflect on how blessed we are to be able to get out on the AT here
in our Smokies and spend some time away from the busy pace of town.
Scarlet Tanagers In The Mt. Collins Shelter
2 Comments
The Dog Days of Summer have reached all the way up to the ridge tops of the AT here in our Smokies 07/25/2011
Turks Cap Lillies
I had a great patrol on the AT in our Smokies this week. Here's what I have been up to.
Day One: Trey the Intern and I hiked from Cades Cove up
Anthony Creek to the Russell Field Trail and up to Russell Field Shelter. We
carried up new signage to replace the old worn out signs at the shelter. It was
a long hot hike with those big oak signs! We were asked to carry up a shovel
and were happy to do it. There's plenty shovels at Russell if you need
one.
Day Two: Trey and I hiked from Cosby Camp Ground up Low Gap
to the Cosby Knob Shelter. That climb will let you know exactly how healthy
your heart and lungs are! Bill Stiver's crew had removed the troubled bear from
the shelter. Bill asked us to go up and make sure that they got the right bear.
There were no bear sign and the shelter looked great. It was a peaceful
evening! Trey and I flipped over the mulch bin and gave it a thorough
inspection to determine how the mice are getting in. There are no holes in the
bottom, back or sides of the bin. As reported earlier the mice are getting in
around the lip under the lid.
Day Three: I hiked from Cosby Knob to Tricorner Knob and
then on to Pecks Corner Shelter for the night. I stopped at Tricorner Knob to
clean up and get a tool inventory in preparation for the work coming up on the
new Privy. After packing out 2 pounds of trash I hiked on to Pecks Corner. A
lot of the trail has been mowed and lopped. Looking Good!
Day Four: I hiked from Pecks Corner to Icewater Springs
Shelter. The Grounds around Icewater are really looking good. This is not an
easy place to keep clean. Thanks to everyone who stops in Icewater and all the
other Shelters to pick up trash. We saw a 175 pound bear that stopped in to see
if we had thrown out any food trash. A young hiker got his first lesson in
scarring off a Black Bear. He did a great job and we didn't have anymore visits
from our bear.
Day Five: Icewater Springs Shelter to Newfound Gap.
Despite the gray skies and rain the dayhikers were out to enjoy Charlies Bunion.
It's always a fun and educational experience to spend a day interacting with
the hikers coming out of Newfound Gap.
Day One: Trey the Intern and I hiked from Cades Cove up
Anthony Creek to the Russell Field Trail and up to Russell Field Shelter. We
carried up new signage to replace the old worn out signs at the shelter. It was
a long hot hike with those big oak signs! We were asked to carry up a shovel
and were happy to do it. There's plenty shovels at Russell if you need
one.
Day Two: Trey and I hiked from Cosby Camp Ground up Low Gap
to the Cosby Knob Shelter. That climb will let you know exactly how healthy
your heart and lungs are! Bill Stiver's crew had removed the troubled bear from
the shelter. Bill asked us to go up and make sure that they got the right bear.
There were no bear sign and the shelter looked great. It was a peaceful
evening! Trey and I flipped over the mulch bin and gave it a thorough
inspection to determine how the mice are getting in. There are no holes in the
bottom, back or sides of the bin. As reported earlier the mice are getting in
around the lip under the lid.
Day Three: I hiked from Cosby Knob to Tricorner Knob and
then on to Pecks Corner Shelter for the night. I stopped at Tricorner Knob to
clean up and get a tool inventory in preparation for the work coming up on the
new Privy. After packing out 2 pounds of trash I hiked on to Pecks Corner. A
lot of the trail has been mowed and lopped. Looking Good!
Day Four: I hiked from Pecks Corner to Icewater Springs
Shelter. The Grounds around Icewater are really looking good. This is not an
easy place to keep clean. Thanks to everyone who stops in Icewater and all the
other Shelters to pick up trash. We saw a 175 pound bear that stopped in to see
if we had thrown out any food trash. A young hiker got his first lesson in
scarring off a Black Bear. He did a great job and we didn't have anymore visits
from our bear.
Day Five: Icewater Springs Shelter to Newfound Gap.
Despite the gray skies and rain the dayhikers were out to enjoy Charlies Bunion.
It's always a fun and educational experience to spend a day interacting with
the hikers coming out of Newfound Gap.
Peck's Corner
"IT'S EASY TO KEEP IT SIMPLE WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO !"
As A Ridgerunner on The AT here in the Smokies I get to see some awesome stuff. And here's one of them. Look at the size of this Earth Worm!!!! I estimated it to be about 14 inches long. That's a crazy big Worm !!!
Giant Earth Worm On The AT
Here's a little bit of what I have been into this week.
Another rainy week on the AT here in our beautiful
Smokies! This week we got some nice soft soaking rains as well as some hard
Thunderstorms. The flowers are really coming in nice up high. The bees are
really working the Red Bee balm and Filmy Angelica. I hauled in a lot of trash
this week! Eleven and a half pounds. It was a damp but beautiful week on the
Appalachian Trail here in our Smoky Mountains.
Day One : Clingmans Dome to Silers Bald Shelter.
Thunderstorms made for a short day hiking but I was still able to spend a lot of
time with day hikers. The flowers on Mt. Buckley really put on a show in the
rain and clouds. The rain has the spring at Silers Bald running good.
Day Two : Silers Bald out to Briar Knob and back to
Derrick Knob for the evening. It was another day that saw some heavy rain!
Word did come across thunderhead Mountain that some beautiful Trail Maintenance
was going on in the Spence Field area. Way to go Stu! There was a bunch of
fresh damage from the Hogs all around Derrick Knob.
Day Three : Derrick Knob to Mt. Buckley and back to
Double Springs Gap Shelter. It was a really foggy day with scattered showers
along the way. There was more fresh hog sign between Silers and Derrick and
between Silers and Double Springs. The Hog Hunters will have a time when they
get back out here! It was disappointing to find so much trash at all the
shelters this week. Thankfully a hiker carried out a large cotton sleeping bag
for me. Thanks Scott!
Day Four : Double Springs Gap To Mt. Collins Shelter.
What a beautiful sight all the flowers are across Mt. Buckley and Clingmans
Dome! Despite the gray skies and rain I still saw some hikers today! I crossed
Clingmans Dome a little early for the crowds though. I was disappointed to see
some food left in the Mt. Colins Shelter. But despite the trash there was still
no sign of the bear.
Day Five : Mt. Collins to Newfound Gap. It was a cool
morning with a misting rain and a perfect time for a quiet hike. The spiderwebs
were hanging full of bright water drops and the fog lay in close to the trail.
It was a peaceful end to a nice week.
Nothing We Make Is As Vivid As The Colors In Nature
Bees Getting Drunk On the Filmy Angelica
I hope to see you on the trail soon!
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/
It was a beautiful week on the AT here in our Smokies. Fineally a dry week! It was so nice to have dry feet this week. Clear skies offered fantastic views everywhere I looked.
A The View From Mt. Buckley, On The AT
Here's what I was up to this week!
Day One: Trey shuttled me around to Cades Cove. I hiked up
Anthony Creek to the Bote Mt. Trail and up to the AT. It was a hot and humid
climb. I hiked out to Rocky Top and then back to Spence Field Shelter for the
evening. There were a lot of horse riders coming up out of Cades Cove today. I
saw my first Timber Rattler today. He was about three feet long and really fat.
He didn't like me and I didn't like him! There were three young men tented
illegally on Spence Field. I had the opportunity to explain to them why people can't
camp anywhere they want in the Smokies. There was a lot of Hog sign from Bote
Mountain to Rocky Top. There was about six or seven pounds of trash left at the
Privy. There was a Boy Scout group at the shelter that helped me hike it
out.
Day Two: I hiked from Spence Field shelter to Cold
Springs Knob and back to Derrick Knob for the evening. I encountered Hog
rooting the whole way. I cleared a blowdown at Briar Knob. The shelter and
grounds were clean and beautiful. The Bee Balm was in bloom and looked amazing
out in that green field.
Day Three: I hiked form Derrick Knob Shelter to mt.
Buckley and back to Double Springs Gap Shelter for the night. It was a big day
for hikers on the AT. I talked to more than 30 hikers today. There was a lot
of great Trail Work from SWEAT crew. Great job! I cleared a blowdown one mile
south of Silers Bald. The Spring at Silers Bald Shelter is still running slow.
Day Four: Double Springs Gap Shelter to Mt. Collins
Shelter. It was another big day for hikers. I talked to 23 dayhikers alone! I
ran into Jim Huff and got an awesome history lesson about LeConte Lodge. It's
always awesome to run into AT Maintainers on the trail. I mowed the Briars back
around the shelter. The shelter was clean and the grounds look great!
Day Five: Mt. Collins Shelter to Newfound Gap. HAPPY
4TH OF JULY !!!!!!!!
Hiking Goes As Slow As A Snail On These Hot and Humid Days
I wish you a safe and relaxing 4th of July !!
I, for one, am ready to see a nice soft soaking rain for a
change! Enough with the daily Thunderstorms already !! I did have Friday and
Monday without getting stormed on and it was beautiful. Some of our
Rhododendron along the AT are still holding their blooms and I hope you can get
out to enjoy them. I enjoyed spending time with some awesome Backpackers on the
AT in our beautiful Smoky Mountains this week.
change! Enough with the daily Thunderstorms already !! I did have Friday and
Monday without getting stormed on and it was beautiful. Some of our
Rhododendron along the AT are still holding their blooms and I hope you can get
out to enjoy them. I enjoyed spending time with some awesome Backpackers on the
AT in our beautiful Smoky Mountains this week.
View Of Mt. LeConte From The Saw Teeth On The AT
I thought I would give you all an update on what I have been up to on the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies this week. Here's an overview.
Day One:
I met Trey the Intern at Newfound Gap. Trey shuttled me around to Cosby
Campground. We had a hot and humid climb up the Low Gap Trail to the AT. Once
on the AT it was a nice cruise over to the Shelter. The trail and the shelter
looked great. Our stay at Cosby Knob Shelter was wet but pleasant! I enjoyed
hiking with Trey again.
Day Two: I hiked from Cosby Knob Shelter to Tricorner
Knob Shelter. It was a beautiful cool day and I didn't get rained on! What a
great day to be out backpacking. I got to interact with a lot of hikers even in
the remote stretch between Cosby Knob and Tricorner. The shelter was clean and
quiet. It sure will be nice when we get a new privy out here and we don't have
to use the “Leaning Tower Of Pizza” any more.
Day Three: I hiked from Tricorner Knob Shelter to
Pecks Corner Shelter and then on to Icewater Springs Shelter. I passed some
great trail work as I got through the saw teeth and approached the Bunion.
Great Drainage Work! It was appreciated after wading through some pretty deep
water out near Tricorner Knob. It was a busy Saturday night at Icewater
Springs. I like to try and spend the weekend nights at the busier shelters. I
think it makes a positive difference to have a presence at spots like Icewater
Springs that get so much use. I had the opportunity to educate a couple guys
that rolled in without a reservation and started setting up a tent. I got them
in touch with the backcountry reservations office and educated them about our
regulations along the AT in the Smokies. They left the next morning with a
valid backcountry permit and an educated understanding of the guidelines for
hiking our Smokies.
Day Four: Icewater Springs Shelter to Mt. Collins
Shelter. Rain Rain Rain! I had the opportunity to see some good drainage at
work along the AT today. Sure is GROOVY when water runs off the trail and the
dirt stays in!! I stopped and talked with three Amazing Trail Maintainers along
this stretch today. Great job! Thanks for all your hard work.
Day Five: Mt. Collins to Newfound Gap. What a pleasure
to hike beautiful trail on a cool and clear Summer morning. It was a nice
finish to a beautiful week on our Appalachian Trail here in our beautiful
Smokies. I hope to see you on the Trail soon!
I met Trey the Intern at Newfound Gap. Trey shuttled me around to Cosby
Campground. We had a hot and humid climb up the Low Gap Trail to the AT. Once
on the AT it was a nice cruise over to the Shelter. The trail and the shelter
looked great. Our stay at Cosby Knob Shelter was wet but pleasant! I enjoyed
hiking with Trey again.
Day Two: I hiked from Cosby Knob Shelter to Tricorner
Knob Shelter. It was a beautiful cool day and I didn't get rained on! What a
great day to be out backpacking. I got to interact with a lot of hikers even in
the remote stretch between Cosby Knob and Tricorner. The shelter was clean and
quiet. It sure will be nice when we get a new privy out here and we don't have
to use the “Leaning Tower Of Pizza” any more.
Day Three: I hiked from Tricorner Knob Shelter to
Pecks Corner Shelter and then on to Icewater Springs Shelter. I passed some
great trail work as I got through the saw teeth and approached the Bunion.
Great Drainage Work! It was appreciated after wading through some pretty deep
water out near Tricorner Knob. It was a busy Saturday night at Icewater
Springs. I like to try and spend the weekend nights at the busier shelters. I
think it makes a positive difference to have a presence at spots like Icewater
Springs that get so much use. I had the opportunity to educate a couple guys
that rolled in without a reservation and started setting up a tent. I got them
in touch with the backcountry reservations office and educated them about our
regulations along the AT in the Smokies. They left the next morning with a
valid backcountry permit and an educated understanding of the guidelines for
hiking our Smokies.
Day Four: Icewater Springs Shelter to Mt. Collins
Shelter. Rain Rain Rain! I had the opportunity to see some good drainage at
work along the AT today. Sure is GROOVY when water runs off the trail and the
dirt stays in!! I stopped and talked with three Amazing Trail Maintainers along
this stretch today. Great job! Thanks for all your hard work.
Day Five: Mt. Collins to Newfound Gap. What a pleasure
to hike beautiful trail on a cool and clear Summer morning. It was a nice
finish to a beautiful week on our Appalachian Trail here in our beautiful
Smokies. I hope to see you on the Trail soon!
Rhododendron Blooming Over An Overturned Root Ball.
The Rhododendron Along The Appalachian Trail Here In Our Smokies Have Been Absolutly Beautiful !
Perhaps No Other Bloom In The Smokies Matches The Beauty Of The Rhododendron.
When It's Raining It Seems Like It Rains All The Time. When The Sun Comes Out I Can't Remember That It Was Raining.
Nan and Gary preparing To Ride Around The World.
Yes, I do know most of the REALLY COOL people in the world. My friends Nan and Gary are riding their bikes around the world! They have a blog that they are updating from time to time so you can keep up with them. Here's the link so stop in and say hello!
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=186963&v=n
Best of luck you two! I hope you are having a crazy adventure!
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFZo&page_id=186963&v=n
Best of luck you two! I hope you are having a crazy adventure!
Summer Is Coming On Fast Here In The Smokies. The Woods Are Green and The Azaleas are On Fire! 06/14/2011
In The Deep Forest Near Mt. Collins On The AT In Our Smokies
Summer is coming on fast here in oyr beautiful Smoky Mountains. The deep woods are green and the Flame Azalias are on fire with color. It seems like we have skipped over Spring and slipped right into Summer. It feels like it was just Winter time up on the AT. There's just been enough rain to keep the wood green. Some of the springs are running slow. We need some long soaking rains to raise the water table. We did get some strong thunderstorms last week in the higher elevations. But the Mountains are thirsty and they have drunk up every drop of rain that fell.
Flame Azalea In Bloom On Silers Bald
Most of the North Bound Thruhikers have passed through the Smokies. Now we are mostly meeting Section Hikers and In The Park Backpackers. Despite the heat and humidity it has been a beautiful Spring. The Flame Azalias are busting and the Mornings are cool and misty. It's been a Blessing to watch everything grow up and bloom in our mountains this Spring. I hope to see you out on the trail taking in the beauty.
Our Team Working National Trails Day ON Steve's Section Of Trail
Jeff in frunt, then left to right, Scott, Karen and Alyson, and left to right in the back, Trey, Ed, Me, Max and Jake. Photo by Team Leader Steve Reagan.
Steve Reagan On His Section of Trail
It was blessing to be able to get out in the Mountains this past Saturday and give back a little to the Appalachian Trail here in our beautiful Great Smoky Mountains National Park. About 115 volunteers gathered early in the morning to give their time and energy to improving the trail conditions on the AT through the Park. I was very grateful to be part of such an awesome group of volunteers.
It has been an absolutly beautiful Spring here in the Smokies. The Appalachian Trail is alive with growth and blooms. The Volunteers have been out repairing and improving the trail. This step was installed by Ed Peck with the help of Steve Reagan. It's all thanks to the ATMC Volunteers for the great trails we enjoy here in the Smokies.
Step Installed On The AT by ATMC Volunteers Ed and Steve.
The Witch Hoble has been in full bloom and is fantastic! It's not always easy to keep it out of the trail. The Old Timers said that it grows so thick that it will hobble a Witch. I have never been out hiking with a Witch so I can't really say if that's true. But I do know that the heart shaped leaves and bunches of white blooms are beautiful.
Witch Hobble Blooming In The Smokies
It has been a Spring of Blue Skies. We have had some rain, snow and cool weather this Spring but the clear Smoky Mountain Blue Skies have been fantastic. I hope to see you on the trail soon taking in the beautiful Spring Weather!
Blue Skies On The AT In The Smokies
