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Route 8 (red): 48.3 miles (plus 3 road), 38.3 new; 14:15
Route 9 (blue): 14.2 miles, 12.2 new; 3:45 |
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| +12,116, -12,116 |
Kevin and I returned to GSMNP on March 21st to keep ticking away at the
Great Smoky Postman. First on queue: some trails near Smokemont problematic to the project due to their unavoidable redundancy. I wanted to get five out-and-backs done all in one go.
At 7:05 Saturday morning we set out for the longest route to date from our Smokemont campsite. First, we connected to Tow String via the BMT, then Smokemont Loop via road, then deeper into the backcountry. We were pleased to find a vernal forest floor alive in the sunlight along Bradley Fork.
Magnificent old-growth poplars towered high above our heads. Nearly every trunk seemed to have a large opening at its base, a nice home for someone. As it turned out, these "redundant" out-and-backs along Dry Sluice, Cabin Flats and Hughes Ridge were well worth a second look, so much to see!
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| Mayapples popping |
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| Kevin didn't want to get too close to the opening |
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| Ramps aplenty |
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| A shift in biome atop most every climb |
The climbs were starting to feel like a workout. As the miles took their toll, our focus shifted to nutrition, hydration and foot care. The sunshine kept us smiling. I was happy to show Enloe Creek to Kevin, a place I vowed
during my 2009 BMT fastpack to revisit in a more leisurely fashion.
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| Downright warm on Hughes Ridge |
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| Crossing Raven Fork (on the out) |
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| Filling up at McGee Springs |
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| Chasing the sunlight on Straight Fork Rd |
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| Top Ramen super bowl |
I don't know about the more leisurely fashion, but we did get to see Enloe twice. We flushed a wild pig and her piglets running down Beech Gap. Back over Hyatt Ridge and back up Enloe, darkness caught us by Chasteen Creek. With my headlamp, I spotted a bear and a bobcat on our fast descent.
Before immersing ourselves in the artificial light of the CG, we turned off our headlamps and gazed up at the brilliant stars through the forest's open canopy. We made it back to our campsite by 9:20 pm and promptly got to work chowing down on what food we brought, garnished with ramps, of course.
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| +3,740', -3,740' |
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| Kephart Prong |
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| Sweat Heifer landslide |
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| Along the AT |
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| Charlies Bunion |
We broke camp Sunday morning and started a 14.2 mile lollipop from Kephart Prong by 7:30. We felt a bit worn out on the climb to the AT. Once there, we enjoyed a snack break and wonderful view from Charlies Bunion. Picking up speed, we dropped down Dry Sluice and back to the TH by 11:15.
I'm grateful to have gotten out to the salubrious (Derek's word!) Smokies during these turbulent times. Hopefully it won't be long before the next outing!
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