December 02nd, 2015

When you are out of sorts, walk a hundred miles. Jim Harrison

Morning y'all,

It's yet another beautiful, rainy day up top. The high yesterday reached 44 degrees. The overnight low was 41 degrees. It was 42 degrees and raining lightly at 7am observation. The mountain received 2.70 inches of rain yesterday, bringing our 3 day total to 6.50 inches of rain. If it were only 20 degrees colder, I'd be making snow angels in nearly 7 feet of powder! But alas, the trails are saturated and there is still beauty all around. It looks as though this front will pass through later today, so come on up and enjoy the always interesting clearing clouds from a wonderful vantage point. I would still recommend rain gear and a spare pair of socks to change into up top, in addition to the rest of the ten essentials. Enjoy yet another characteristically soggy Smokies day!

Top photo: Hiking through upper Bullhead. Above: Rainbow Falls!

Yesterday was the perfect day for a big Rainbow-Bullhead loop.Taking two cabin days in a row leads to madness (and it's far too early in the season for that), so a big hike was necessary. The thinking was that after days of rain, there is nothing better than a waterfall. We took off with our trusty hiking umbrellas and started the long descent. The tender way the ground cushioned (then drenched) my trail runners and the distinct smell of the Southern forest in the rain reminded me of long days from my section hike this spring. There are few things better than this brand of nostalgia, embracing the moment yet letting it be interspersed with pleasing memories of wet rhodo-tunnels, damp lunches taken under an umbrella and all the other little joys of primal living. I missed the unique mindset it takes to trudge along in the rain, choosing to look at it as sport rather than agony. Rainbow Falls was delightful as always, churning and roaring in the light drizzle. We continued onward and upward and did not see a soul on Bullhead. Did I mention that it was a perfect day?