After a LONGGGG hiatus from the trails, but dreaming of them every day, we went back the weekend of July 8-9, 2016, possibly the hottest weekend of the summer. Serious consideration and brain power went into the wisdom of this timing and the possible consequences of hiking in 90+ degree weather.
This hike commenced the morning of July 9, 2016. It had been a stormy night, and we had stayed in a KOA in Cherokee, North Carolina, while Rod and Pam stayed in Townsend. The cell service was very poor and we were only able to communicate that we would meet at the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center at 0800. We then proceeded to have a chilly night (which is due to poor planning on our part, it was 96 degrees at home and we couldn't imagine that 2.5 hours north we would be cold, but the mountains are a climate zone unto themselves). So after a poor night's rest, we made it to the visitor's center and found that Rod and Pam were not there.
The exciting part about this trip to me was that my dear children were accompanying us. One might say they were forced to come, and thinking that they had no choice, they agreed, hoping to see a waterfall and a view.
While waiting, a trip into the visitor's center revealed that several roads were closed due to the inclement weather the previous night and downed trees, which explained why Rod and Pam hadn't arrived.
Right outside the visitor's center, along the Oconaluftee River Trail, were six elk. They are the first we had seen in the Smokey's. So the photo below contains a few of them, but of course they are too small to pick out ...
This is part of the Mountain Farm Exhibit outside of the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center ...
Lucky shot ...
After a while, Rod and Pam arrived and as was the custom, we changed our hiking plans at the last moment. The weather looked "iffy" in the afternoon, and we wanted a higher elevation for cooler temperatures. So we decided on the Deep Creek area and Juney Whank Falls, with another trail in the afternoon up near Newfound Gap area.
We made it to the trail head, a loop hike totaling 3.0 miles. This was again a new area for us. Several of us had gotten new packs, myself included, and just to try them out, we all carried our packs, except the children, who rolled their eyes at us and scoffed at our trekking poles. (They would change their minds about the poles later in the day.)
At Juney Whank falls, I ran into an old college acquaintance. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't take his photo and include it in this post. So Arthur, if you happen to read this, make sure to say "hi" in the comments, and it was great to see you!
We have all taken to using Frogg Togg cooling towels. We discovered a new use for the trekking poles, reaching poles for wetting the cooling towels. Trekking poles are so multifunctional:
To cover all the trails for the 900 Mile Challenge, we had to cover several small off-shoot sections of the trail and backtrack on the same trails to get the all the mileage in.
Juney Whank Falls Trail & Deep Creek Horse Trail were quite populated with hikers and tubers. They are not trails for contemplation and solitude, but hidden gems can be found anywhere:
Deep Creek
We were pleased to be able to see the rhododendron in bloom, we were afraid that they had passed their prime and that we'd have to wait for next year to see them in bloom.
There were a number that were still just starting to bloom. This is one sight that I have never seen in the Smokey's ... but one I've heard about it for years. What a treat!
Tom Branch Falls
Some of the storm damage presumably from the previous evening.
Three miles went by quickly, and we were back to the vehicles in time for lunch, which meant we didn't have to eat on the trail after all. Everyone's packs were feeling comfortable, so it was a good test-run-hike for the new packs.
Lunch was eaten quickly at a pavilion marked "reserved." We didn't get kicked out, and packed up to head to the second hike and leave the crowds of tubers behind.
Trip Stats:
Total Mileage hiked: 3.0 Miles
Mileage Added to 900 Mile Challenge: 2.7 Miles
Total Miles Hiked Toward 900 Mile Challenge: 53.8
Miles Added to Centennial Challenge: 3.0
Total Miles Hiked Toward 100 Mile Centennial Goal: 54.8 Miles
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