and i know it's a lie but i'll still give my love. hey, my heart's on the line for your hands to pluck off.

2/6/2014

When running, Fauja realized he thought only of his next step. After enough steps, his mind went blank, and with his feet pounding the pavement, Fauja says, "I felt connected to God." The anger evaporated. For at least a few moments, Fauja escaped his grief. Jordan Conn

Morning y'all,

It's a beautiful morning up top. The high yesterday reached 44 degrees. The overnight low got down to 10 degrees. It was 17 degrees and clear at 7am observation. The mountain received a light dusting of snow yesterday. There is very little snow on the ground, but the trails are in rough shape due to all the rain we received over the past few days. Expect some slick spots!

Yesterday was a fantastic afternoon for ambling around up top. The wind was rollicking like a ship at sea and an unexpected light snow started falling on my way out to Myrtle Point. The clouds were forever changing, a new scene every time one's focus drifted skywards. I did not see another person all day, the blustery conditions and seemingly poor views kept folks in the valley. I tend to look back on my stints on the mountain and remember the big hikes, spectacular views, reunions with good friends and other noteworthy bookmarks, but it is the days like yesterday that really get into my blood, that keep me refilling my cup. Long, calm afternoons with great books that seem to stretch for days, peaceful runs with nothing and everything to distract me, drinking in the windsounds on my porch like a fine whiskey, the gentle peace that permeates everything. Wild and free and untamed.

19 Comments

Mike E

02/06/2014 10:03am

I realize my question that I am going to ask is very subjective...but..here goes...I am probably going to be able to hike up a day..spend the nite..and then hike down....and do not know if and when my schedule will allow me to come back... If you only had the time frame that I mentioned, how would you hike up...and what is a must see at top...and what trail would you take down the mountain. We are both able to hike distance, and elevation, so that should not be a problem..Thanks for your input.

Jenny B. link

02/06/2014 1:20pm

Mike, are you planning to stay at the Lodge? I'm no expert, never having stayed at the Lodge, but I believe you'd be in a wait list situation, and well down on the list, for reservations in 2014. The other option is to make a reservation through the Park Service for the LeConte shelter, or maybe stay at the Icewater shelter on the A.T. Folks who know better, correct me if I'm wrong.

Fill Fuqua link

02/06/2014 1:26pm

Recently the shelter at the lodge was closed due to bear activity. It is unk when it will reopen. Icewater is another option that is still a long way from the lodge area.

Paulrom

02/06/2014 8:18pm

And you have to have reservations at ice water springs also. You get a permit from the rangers

Mike E.

02/08/2014 2:42pm

no, I have a reservation in April. It is for one nite only.

Marilyn

02/06/2014 10:36am

Jean d....I remember the first time I was in the Smokies..1952 and the town of Gatlinburg was like you described it. very quaint, very inviting, very comfortable. Curious as to where the orchard was..was it close to the city park up airport road. I always liked those houses on the edge of the city park..sure they aren't the same ones that were there at the time frame you mentioned.

Mike E. I am partial to the Boulevard trail coming down from LeConte even though it is a little longer. I love the quietness and the fact that there is not a lot of traffic on it not to mention the views. Of course you should see Myrtle Point and Cliff Tops while there at the appropriate times...sunrise and sunset. And you should also put a rock atop the rock pile as your contribution to making LeConte higher than it is. I'm sure others will have suggestions..these are just mine. You can add them all up and shake out what appeals to you. Happy hiking.

jean d

02/06/2014 11:13am

Marilyn, yes the cabin was at the high corner near the city park. It was called the Methodist Assembly Grounds back then. There is still a home there but the only thing that I have been able to determine remains of our cabin is the rock chimney--the rest has been rebuilt. Many of the cabins that remain appear as they did back when my family owned the little cabin. One in particular, The "Walker Cabin on the Creek", is mostly the same That cabin (info on line) is available for rent under that name. The Walkers are my mother's 1st cousins. We spent lots of time there after my father and his father sold our cabin. The orchard was at the end of the road (Airport Road) where the parking lot was and is for The trail heads for Rainbow etc. There were a few apple trees still producing apples when I was a kid. The orchard didn't have any care after the park took over and so the trees weren't in very good shape. Consequently the apples they produced weren't very good.

Someone asked on yesterday's blog about Townsend. I have been over there recently-- last fall and it is still pretty much as I remember it from the late 40s and early 50s. They rightfully call it the peaceful side of the Smokys.

Glenn OH

02/06/2014 11:26am

Mike E, I would park at Newfound GAP, catch the Cherokee shuttle to Alum cave trailhead, hike up Alum down the Boulevard trail back to Newfound Gap parking lot,great views,also enjoy doing two Leconte trails, shuttle is very reasonable, about seven dollars per hiker!!!

Matt

02/06/2014 11:35am

Mike E, I would hike up Alum Cave Trail allowing you to see Arch Rock, Alum Cave, and cross several rock slides. Coming down, Rainbow Falls seeing the waterfall as well as the views on Rocky Spur. If the Roaring Fork motor Nature trail was open, I might replace Rainbow Falls with Trilliam Gap. One of my favorite spots is Brushy Mountain and you also get to see Grotto Falls.

kathy

02/06/2014 11:41am

If you are a once in a lifetimer I would try to stay 2 days. I have been for the night and although wonderful experiences saw nothing but a cloud. Socked in no view from cliff tops or myrtle point. But outrageously good company and great hiking. I also like boulevard trail for its peace, hiked up never seeing another soul. And alum cave for its fun hiking and camaraderie

kathy

02/06/2014 11:44am

If you only got once if you have 2 car option go up alum and down one of the others I like boulevard and trillium gap

norman 'abr'

02/06/2014 11:45am

Thank GOD for Townsend, tn.

Marilyn

02/06/2014 12:34pm

Jean d...thanks for the information. I've read about the Walker sisters and have hiked to the cabin that is in the park near the schoolhouse. It is one of my favorite hikes as it is a leisurely pace and very pretty. We usually take our lunch and sit on the porch. I'll have to get on line and see the particulars on the Walker cabin for rent. How fortunate you are to have experienced the early days of the Smokies.

jean d

02/06/2014 12:55pm

Marilyn, I wondered as I wrote the note above if the Walker name might cause some confusion. It seems to have done just that. The Walkers of the Walker Cabin on the Creek are a different family. I, like you, have heard about the Walker Sisters most of my life. I believe they were from the early mountain family. On the other hand, my mothers cousins were from a family who originally were from Knoxville. The man of the family was a principal at one of the Knox County schools for years before they moved to Gatlinburg permanently I think in the late 50s. The Walker Sisters on the other hand were legendary in and around the park and seems like I remember perhaps over near Cades Cove.

02/06/2014 1:44pm

Mike my suggetion is to go up Alum best views! and down rainbow or trillium, if at all possible stay two nights! get on the waiting list or try for a day during the week! no weekends are avail for 2014 at all so contact lodge office! You must see sunrise and Sunset!! but a one night and day hike does not do the mt justice even though we do it alot! its along day!

Elisabeth

02/06/2014 1:46pm

JP~ you are very wise and insightful. I think the quiet peaceful days would be my fave also! I had PLANNED to come up on wed. but going into the park at sunrise it looked like it was socked in clear to the top (and beyond) so I figured I would save the ascent for a clear day (or a snowing one...poop and it snowed! sigh). Maybe next week (perhaps Tuesday, snow forecasted!) Mike...my fave trails are trillium (up) w/ side trip to Brushy mt, and alum (down). More things to see on both, I think. But if you do Boulevard you could stay at Icewater shelter (nice one) and go to Charlies Bunion one of the days. Just a thought. You cant go wrong on ANY trail....so enjoy your stay. I am planning a three day, triple ascent, in the spring...using all 5 trails (to raise funds for a sick friend). Cant wait!!! Enjoy the treks ya'll !

Marilyn

02/06/2014 4:07pm

Jean d....thanks for clarifying.

Elisabeth

02/06/2014 8:15pm

I found this video and thought most of you would enjoy it. I think I will stop posting for awhile, because I seem to be part of the cause for unwanted posts. Enjoy this great video and I will see all of you HAPPY hikers on the trails!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTsZwRkZbgM

Tony Ga

02/06/2014 9:20pm

Thanks for the link. Great video. Know what you mean about not posting. The crowd here gets mean during the winter.

Comments are closed.

JP Krol

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