We took advantage of the Veteran's Day Holiday and went up to the Smoky's for a long weekend. Thank you, veteran's for your service, we owe you a large debt of gratitude.
We met up with Ken, Lisa and Matthew in Elkmont. This 900 Mile Journey is once again taking us places we have not been. We've heard for years about the abandoned vacation houses falling to disrepair in Elkmont, but had never even been back down the road to check out the area. So at the trailhead to Jakes Creek and the short length of Jakes Creek that we hiked on, we walked along a section of the vacation homes, missing many and hoping to get back to the area to explore at another time.
Somewhere along here we walked past a buck. OUR FIRST WILDLIFE SIGHTING in the nearly 100 miles that we have hiked. We have often wondered how many bears and deer we have walked by and didn't notice, because our eyes were trained to the trail. Some trails are easier than others and provide the hiker with the ability to look up and around, but walking on a leaf covered trail is no easy task.
The leaf covered trails are loud, cover a multitude of roots and rocks, and one can hardly afford to take their eyes away from the next step. This explains why there is a lot of stopping and looking with our group, as we really don't want to miss out on the views, the potential animals, and the sounds, which cannot be heard walking in ankle high leaves in places. Conversation is difficult with the noise.
Crossing a foot bridge to Megs Mountain Trail ... the creek, as with all the creeks in the Smokey's right now, was very low. The lack of rain is very noticeable leaving many of the back country campsites without without a source of water. Not to mention the fires in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. We didn't notice the smoke on this hike, fortunately.
Jakes Creek
Listening and Looking ...
Samsonette ... at the bottom of the pillars ...
At the top of the pillars ...
At campsite 20 we stopped and had a snack, and ran into three other hikers.
This was said to be tractor parts in the Little Brown Book/Guide Book ...
There was evidence of a spring (but not much water), a spring house nearby that I somehow missed a picture of, and other signs of homesteads.
And right in this area, Lisa completed her 100 Mile Centennial Challenge for 2016! Congratulations Lisa!! See you at the dinner in Gatlinburg!
Were these settlers trying to give warning or tell the tale of their poor fortune? The Little Brown Book/Guide Book stated that the farmers in this area hardly had time to clear land and plow fields before they were forced to sell their land to the park commission via eminent domain.
The fall colors were still eye-catching in areas.
We hiked a short section of Megs Mountain Trail that we had hiked two weeks previously. We thought about stopping here and eating again, but decided to walk a little further to the cemetery.
After lunch, we split up, leaving Ken and Lisa behind, as they did not plan on going past Tremont, whereas the rest of the group planned to end up at Little River Road and Bote Mountain Trail.
Campsite 19 again ... The Little Brown Book states that at this site, in 1934, the house, barn and smokehouse of Andy Brackin stood here.
Nice back yard ...
We followed Megs Mountain Trail to Lumber Ridge Trail and on to Tremont.
At Tremont (another place we hadn't ever been in our self-imposed limited travels within the Park), we made use of the actual flushing commode instead of the trees, and went on along West Prong Trail, pushing daylight ...
Somewhere on West Prong Trail, Matthew hit 200 Miles. I'm not sure if that is for the year, or more, he will have to clarify. Congratulations Matthew! Awesome job, the hiking bug has really bit you!
Bote Mountain Trail was a breath of fresh air in this area, it was wide and relatively flat, and since it was dark, that was an extra treat. Only one of us took a tumble ...
And there we are - another beautiful hike completed. This writer needs a good head lamp. Hint Hint Santa ...
The STATS:
Total Mileage hiked: 14.8 miles
Mileage Added to 900 Mile Challenge: 11.7 miles
Total Miles Hiked Toward 900 Mile Challenge: 92.6
Miles Added to Centennial Challenge: 14.8 miles
Total Miles Hiked Toward 100 Mile Centennial Goal: 96.7
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