Foggy Mountain Top

4/16/2013

With all of the weathered wood on the buildings, any new wood really sticks out. The llamas got new troughs this year. It won't be long until they are nice and weathered, too.

Yesterday shaped up quite nice. The sun burned off the clouds and made for a picture perfect day. The high was 61º with a low of 49º. I keep looking at the blanket of clouds laying on top of us now wondering if they are going to stick around all day or if we are going to get a repeat performance. I could use a "do over". When you are crew on the mountain, you quickly learn to take advantage of every gorgeous day that comes your way. Needless to say, I did not do that yesterday.

As most of you have heard, Hwy 441 is open over the mountain. You can now reach Alum Cave trail head from Cherokee. I believe the contractors finished a month ahead of schedule. They should be enjoying a nice little bonus coming their way.

Ryan--La

4/16/2013 12:43:11 am

Morning Allyson and all of the crew. Very foggy here to at the southern most tip of Louisiana. Glad to see you and Chris made it back safely from your trip across the pond. I will have a few questions for you when we see you this year about the trip. Have a great day. P.S. Steve D. I will let you know when we plan on our next hike, would like your company again.

and Chris

Steve D

4/16/2013 01:29:59 am

Ryan-great to hear from you, yes let me know when you are heading this way-would love to hike with you again!

doug y

4/16/2013 01:09:36 am

I enjoy all the photos that are posted here, and especially the ones showing different structures at the lodge enveloped in fog. Each person has their individual reasons for loving a stay there as I have mine - - those times, mornings in particular, are very special. I cannot adequately explain how I feel about it and how I feel about being in the Smokies ini general. I'm drawn to them, excited by the varieties of flora and fauna within, and awed by their history. I've seen many beautiful places all over the world, but my heart and mind always comes back to these wonderful old mountains. I was able to get in more winter hiking than ever this past season, despite a deteriorating knee condition, and I re-read some of my old guidebooks discovering that there are hidden remnants of history just lying by many of the trails I have taken. I'm even more determined to go back along some of these seldom-travelled paths to pay specific attention to these relics, and I will do that this summer and fall. I absolutely love staying at the lodge, too. I wish someone could explain to me why I am so attracted to the Park and all its features. Glad to see that 441 is open again. G'day.

Tony Ga

4/16/2013 01:55:52 am

Because you are at peace and feel at home when you're there my friend.

Susan B

4/16/2013 02:24:33 am

You said it. In our busy crazy world, it's a place of peace, solitude and for me to be closer to our creator.

Doug - what book are you referencing? We have a historical book and found Avent Cabin last year - amazing.

Debi

4/16/2013 01:45:24 am

Beauuutiful day in Michigan, finally!!! I need to get out and enjoy it while I can. Hopefully that fog will burn off soon.

gina

4/16/2013 03:42:09 pm

good for you!

Steve D

4/16/2013 01:46:08 am

Doug-I am too am stricken with that same love for the park and those mountains. I just can't get enough of it.
Hey everybody-lets remember Boston in our thoughts and prayers today-those victims and their families-and those first responders who were confronted with a horrific situation but did a heroic job taking care of those who were injured.

Renee Reed

4/16/2013 02:10:43 am

Beautiful photos. Looking forward to seeing it in person.
:)

Susan B. link

4/16/2013 02:29:08 am

Pray for the families, emergency responders and for our country. There is so much evil in this world and it breaks my heart that another human being would want to do something so evil to our fellow man. I pray also for those children that witnessed this and for the child taken away at such a young age.

Love your families everyone and stay strong.

Brian N bama

4/16/2013 03:33:20 am

The mountain shrouded in fog only adds to the mystical magic the mountain offers us "low landers". I am currently in count down mode as I await may 11th to arrive. You know you are obsessed when most of the dreams you have are of Mt Leconte. In last nights "episode", we hiked up at midnight only to be awakened as I was entering the office by my lovely alarm clock, ending my quest. HAPPY TRAILS

doug y

4/16/2013 03:36:39 am

I should have made mention of the events in Boston in my first comments as I have some friends up there who were running the marathon; it took me until early this morning to learn that they're allright; I'll hear their stories later. And, yes, I believe we can say here that we should keep all those people affected in our prayers and thoughts. I could comment at great length on it, but will save that for another time, another place perhaps. Yes, Tony Ga, I do feel at peace and at home when I'm surrounded by those marvelous mountains and valleys ! I don't truly know exactly why, but that's not at all important, just that I am. During the one year that I drove a tractor trailer rig for a large company (in 07 -08 just to do something different, and it was different !) I on several occasions drove either east or west along I-40 and when I would be passing by in the area before and after the exit to the Smokies {exit 407 I think} and could see Mt. LeConte to the south of the interstate - - that mountain called to me every time ! It would not have taken much to have me park my rig along the highway and somehow head over to the Park ! Those mountains have such affect on me. Good to see your comments Tony Ga; seems like you've beeen off for a while. Susan B: I have several old(er) guidebooks and reference books, but the one I have just been rereading is "Hiking Trails of the Smokies" by the G.S.M.Natural History Assoc., 1999. It was costly then at $17.95 but very well put together. I like it particularly because it describes in good detail many of my favorite trails; It's about 4" x 6" weighing a few ounces, but I always zerox the two or three pages I need and want to read while on the trail to reduce weight of course. For instance, a trail I'm going to retuirn to as soon as I can begins at The Sinks, going up to the Meigs Creek trail, than east to the Curry Mountain trail and back down to Metcalf Bottoms, requiring about a two-mile stint from between starting and ending trailheads [two cars would be ok, unless you don't mind "hitching" a short ride], about 8.7 mi for the hike. The piece that describes it mentions a few old features {cemetery, old home sites, etc.} and one I usually ignore: rattlesnakes. There's also one or two backcountry campsites situated along this route. Great Galloping Gertie !! In all my years of hiking and camping in the Park I don't remember ever seeing a snake, knowing full well they're in there ! Maybe I'm just lucky or blind or both ! But as I've said here before, I'm having to concede a lot of things to advancing years !! Caution is something I've always exercised, but nowadays I will give additional emphasis to it !! And, as I've also been fond of saying here: "My body was blessed by Mother Nature, and cursed by Father Time !" I guess that includes my mental faculties, too ! Oh, and where is Avent Cabin ? - - I suppose I could look. Cloudy here in London, KY today, so far, but it could change in either direction. But spring appears to be here officially. I think that if I erected a good tall tower in the large field below my residence I could see Mt. LeConte from the top of it. Hey, I could exchange light signals with the crew ! I wonder if any of them know Morse Code !? I hope that everyone has a good day today !! Remember: No matter where you go, there you are ! G'day.

susan b link

4/16/2013 04:06:05 am

This makes me feel good! I know a place where you haven't found Doug. Yea!

Avent Cabin is up Jakes Creek and there is a trail that comes off that one that will cross a creek and to the cabin. It is amazing! We even found the porcelain toilet in the back. :) We found this cabin through one of the history books. The cemetary and old homesteads may be the trail that comes off Jakes Creek to Metcalf. I'll check the book you mentioned as well.
Thank you!
And yes, we have come across one too many in those old homesteads!

susan b

4/16/2013 04:07:44 am

tried to pull info on Avent Cabin - didn't work. Take a look and you will see what it is about. And if you go back up Jakes Creek, you will come across the train tracks from the logging days. Beautiful places to have lunch and or snacks.

ric

4/16/2013 05:18:18 am

doug - if youre reeally wanting to see snakes... ive done the loop starting on cucumber gap coming out at laurel falls 3 time and found 3 biggus so far,

Sherleen Cardwell

4/16/2013 05:50:48 am

picture and info of Avent Cabin
http://williambritten.com/wordpress/great-smoky-mountains-national-park/favorite-trails-mayna-avent-cabin/

Bob

4/16/2013 06:59:44 am

Any updates on the condition of the Boulevard Trail?

I think at the last report it was still considered to be in pretty rough condition.

doug y

4/16/2013 07:31:56 am

Susan B: I have passed near that cabin many times ! Great Galloping Gertie !! No, Great Gobs of Goosefeathers !! I looked at that site you listed here. I simply didn't know it was there - - I guess I must have had my eyes focused straight ahead looking for trail junctions or something. I did know that there were almost twenty families living up that creek when the Park Service acquired the land and/or the area officially became the Park, and also that a lumber company had a railroad up the creek [it's long amazed me that Elkmont was a big logging camp back in the day and that there was a railroad running there from the Townsend area, and in addition that it was a popular place for some people around Knoxville to visit and picnic, etc.] And the old Wonderland Hotel below Elkmont- - I will always deeply regret that I never got to stay a night there ! No wonder I'm so fascinated with Elkmont and have taken countless day hikes using it as a base. And, and, all those old cabins, of which many are still standing I believe, just above the campground. Gee, I could live there ! I think their lease finally expired in the early 1990's, 1992 I believe. I have heard talk, randomly, that these could be renewed and the cabins restored, but I don't know much about that nor whether it would be a good idea - - I guess I would feel differently if I owned one ! I guarantee you, Susan B, that I will take a hike the next time there specifically to go see the Avent cabin ! I think I'll carry along a wee spot of wine and hoist a toast to it while sitting there ! In fact, I may just get in my vehicle and head that way asap. That sort of "expedition" is the essence of what gets me excited !! Thank you so very much. I've hiked two or three times from Elkmont over to the Sinks, then on beyond to the Tremont location, staying an overnight or two along the way as there are at least two backcountry campsites along the Meigs Mountain Trail (I know that site #27 is the first one you come to coming from Jakes Creek). You've given me my brightest moment of today ! It's what I live for !! Oh, and the book I mentioned to you doesn't make mention of the "Avent" cabin, only the trail description and some other interesting facts. Such as it is.........ric: no, I don't really want to see any snakes, even though as a foolish young lad I used to catch 'em ! That's another "benefit" of the aging process, for me at least: my fear of snakes has increased, or perhaps I should more correctly state, or admit, that I simply have no interest in them because I don't actually fear them. So, I wonder, why couldn't I watch that movie: "Snakes On a Plane" !? hmmmmmmm........I always enjoy a night tent camping at Elkmont the day/night before hiking up to stay at the lodge and the next time that occurs might be a good time to see the Advent cabin. Well, my day is almost complete - - if only I had a couple of nights awaiting me up at the lodge !! I have vowed, seriously, to never again allow work or anything else to cause me to have to cancel any of my dates I might have reserved !! G'day everyone !

Susan B

4/16/2013 10:03:16 am

Doug - You have given me the laugh I needed for today. Thank you! Yes, a glass of wine would be fit at the cabin. Just wait til you see it - my girls and I have said we would love to bring a lunch and sit on the covered porch and look over the view. The people that lived here were so blessed to have a beautiful home with a beautiful view. In the kitchen is a guest book and a historical book. We plan on visiting again when we come down to the Smokies in July. The train tracks are still visible further up Jake's Creek.
As for Elkmont, we camp here everytime as this area fascinates myself and my girls. The history of those vacation homes and Wonderland Hotel - it is sad that a most of those homes will be torn down except for a select view. We love the decor of the homes - you will never see it elsewhere.
Snakes - no thank you. We have run into too many and we would prefer not to. We hiked a few years ago at Porter's Creek and found the barn. Unfortunately we couldn't go to the cabin behind it because the ground was covered with bees.
Happy Hiking and Exploring everyone!

Rexanna

4/16/2013 08:39:51 am

More information on Mayna Treanor Avent. Quite interesting :)

http://aventfamily.org/TNG/getperson.php?personID=I1924&tree=avefam

doug y

4/16/2013 11:29:38 am

Thanks Susan B; I'll now definitely have to get down there pretty soon. I want to see those railroad tracks, too. Yes, that cabin sounds like a great place, out of the normal areas of Park visitation, hopefully, for a little picnic. I'd settle for a pitcher of lemonade ! I could spend an entire week in the immediate area surrounding the Elkmont Campground just doing day hikes. I also hope next year to acquire a four- or five-day stay at the lodge; one day just doesn't do it for me, although I wouldn't rule that out. Even at this very moment I think I can detect the aroma of dinner being served ! Good evening.

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