Standing Bear

• Day:  21
• Start:  240.3
• End:  240.3
• Miles:  0
• Hours:  0
• High temp:  50
• Low temp:  41
• People met:  5

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Under overcast skys the camp awakens to meet the day.  Discussions abound the chance of rain. Then while enjoying some coffee the answer comes resolving the issue. So I keep my plan to ride out this storm here. 

 

The front of my bunkhouse 

 

A little bridge that runs over the creek

 

Shower behind the was basin

 

Resupply store w/Rhuly who encountered a skunk yesterday. He's had two tomato baths. 

 

Inside the store.

The hiker kitchen 

 

The hiker kitchen table

 

 Some bazaar art

Standing Bear Farm Hostel

• Day:  20
• Start:  221.9
• End:  240.3
• Miles:  18.4
• Hours:  7
• High temp:  74
• Low temp:  52
• People met:  20

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A heavy storm is forcast for tomorrow, so my plan has changed to hiking into the Standing Bear Farm Hostel.  The hostel is located .1 mi off the trail providing refuge from the storm. Today I plan to walk out of the Smokies.  

Goliath and I are up and ready to hike by 0710. We leave everyone else leisurely waking.  Today the sky is overcast with a strong wind on the ridges. My views are gone today because of the clouds have diminished the sight distance.  Actually the views would be few anyway as this section leaves the high altitude of the park and drops to what has become the usual leafless forest.  Walking across  an exposed ridge the wind pushes me sideways causing me to lean into it and causing my trekking poles to fly about.  I think to myself this will rapidly become old.  The trail comes to my rescue as I drop into a sheltered section that contioues, no more ridge walking. 

 

This mornings trail

 

 

One of last views

 

Changing from conifers to the usual forest

As I drop in altitude the wind has stopped and the temperature has increased.  I pick up a wonderful scene in the air noticing that phlox flowers are blooming. 

 

 

Phlox, such a sweet scent

Now the trail's warm scent of cut walnut is blooming, so a comforting.  More little flowers are blooming and adding delightful spots of color along the trail. 

A beautiful stone retaining wall

 

 My last unobstructed view

I approach the end of my Smokies tour, I reminisce on the wonderful day I had, I'm so greatful for the break in the weather.  

 

Drop my permit.  The end of the Smokies.

In short order I ascend the last section before intersecting I-40. Suddenly I come upon trail magic, Smokey Johnny has left donuts, soda and beer to celebrate hikers completing the Smokies.  I delightfully drop my pack for a quick celebration.  

Thanks Johnny 

 

First water source this big

Few of these beauties grace the trail. 

Another fun forest offering.

 

Trees are blooming at this elevation.

 

 Civilization 

After crossing under I-40 the trail climbs for about .5 mi. then drops to a little creek and a gravel road. This is where I turn up the gravel road to the hostel.  

I find the hostel to be a whimsical place that is surprisingly full of features like a hiker kitchen, resupply, wireless, various bunk houses and beer.  I recognize many people I've meet upon the trail.  The atmosphere here is uplifting and fun as hikers relax and meet each other telling their tales. 

 

Bunk house

 

The standing bear

 

My bunk on the bottom 

Delightful evening with outer hikers.  Time to hit the rack. 

Another try at the Smokies

• Day:  19
• Start:  206.8
• End:  221.9
• Miles:  115.1
• Hours:  7
• High temp:  76
• Low temp:  50
• People met:  16

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The forcast today is for sunshine! Happy about that. Got a good breakfast at Crockett's with Onthego, BooBoo and Chuckles.  We hopefully have a ride at 0830, fingers crossed.  Our ride showed up and we were joined by two others.  In short order and $5 lighter we start at the New Found trailhead.  Gatlinburg's morning temperature is 50.  We figure by the time we are on the trail the temperature will.be lower perhaps 40. Nope temperature is still 50. The skys are clear the temperature is perfect and the trail is drying. 

 

Chuckles startling out

 

Not as far as it used to be

This mornings trail

The conifers and moss continue to be a major presence in these mountains, creating a splendid mountain feel. Rapidly the forest heats up causing the scents to bloom.  I am surprised at the spirit lifting cornucopia of scents that drift my way. There are more scents than fir, some pungent, some sweet, I am not putting the scent with the particular foliage, but thats ok it's still wonderful.  Views start to appear, I'm so happy there are views.

 

My first view

 

Another smile making view

In a while I arrive at Charle's Bunnion. 

 

Me at the Bunnion. The view is Tennessee to the west. 

BooBoo and Onthego 

Regardless of the fact I'm sweating like a drayage animal pulling a full wagon I am so happy today. There are views, actual views and the forest feels so comfortable to be in. 

 

 

Trying to illustrate the extreme drop off over the side of the trail. 

The trail tops out on a knife edge, a section where both sides of the trail drop away to a very steep slope. Then another knife edge and another followed by more. This has become the best trail. 

 

 Knife edge

 

Another knife edge

 

 

Lunch spot

 

 

 

Tonight's shelter, Tri Corner Knob Shelter

Met Goliath on the trail when almost to the Tri Corner Knob Shelter. We walked in together to an empty shelter, promptly choosing our spots on the top level.  There are two springs here and a privy, luxury. Wonderful end to a great hiking day.  I never mentioned, when in the Smokies we are required to sleep at the shelters or tent there. There is no free camping wherever one wishes. Consequently I've become used to.sheltering, I know unbelievable. The other rule we must follow is be through the park in 7 days, there will be no lingering.

Gatlinburg

• Day:  18
• Start:  206.8
• End:  206.8
• Miles:  0
• Hours:  0
• High temp:  70
• Low temp:  45
• People met:  12

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Gatlinburg is a tourist town

Plus Dolly World is very close by to Gatlinburg.

 

Many parts of town a very nice

 

Crockett Breakfast  Camp 

Corckets Breakfast Camp where I enjoyed Breakfast 

After a hearty breakfast I start walking the three miles to the post office and grocery store. I meet Onthego along the way, our conversation making the trip that much easier. Once supplied from the store and the post office we catch the trolly back to town. The trolly does not start running until 1030 hrs thats why we both thought to just walk one way to the store. I get two needed items at the local outfitters and head back to my room to sort it all out.

 

Some local establishments

Another town shot

 

 Local outfitter 

Out for a lunch then I just gotta try Moonshine tasting.

 

Sugerland Moonshine 

The tasting.up

 

 

12 tasting samples in all

 

Notice the little tiny glass 

 

Our bartender

 

 Lemonade?

Twelve tasting samples in little tiny communion type plastic glasses. Actually everything is sweet like a kahalua, so it's probably not something I need to drink ever again. Except the 100% moonshine that is filtered 9 times, pretty smooth kinda like a good tequila. Anyway it was fun and the bartender was hilarious, something indigenous to this part of our country.

Back after all the evening fun, packing up for an early morning on the trail.