Oconaluftee River Trail 2

Hike notes written by Rod:

With the conclusion of this hike, Pam and Rod were finished with the 100 miles in the Smokey's Centennial Challenge. The trail head to the Oconaluftee River Trail is behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Centered and displays a period farm with actual working gardens at the beginning of the trail.

Much to our delight and relief, the trail was basically a sidewalk. It's only 1.5 miles in length and with sore feet and knees, it was a welcome change from the rocky wet surface for much of the lower side of Mingus Mill Creek Trail that we had just left behind. We also left behind our hiking poles and actually got to hold hands while hiking.

There are some interesting trees to consider. The trail passes under the Blue Ridge Parkway and provides a very nice backdrop for selfies ...

Pam stopped and took a picture of the fire danger for the area, which was HIGH. This was Friday morning. The ranger said there was only one fire in side the part, at the Chimney's. It was 100% contained and they were letting it burn itself out. Unfortunately, Sunday night and Monday the winds picked up to nearly 90 mph blasting this "contained fire" into a fire-y inferno that blew due north 8 miles and nearly destroyed Gatlinburg, killing 14 souls in the process. Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones and property. All this happened by the time I could write this post.

Toward the end of the trail, it actually pokes out of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ends in the town of Cherokee, NC. On the way back, we meandered off the trail and took a pic at the GSMNP sign.

As we approached the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, our hiking odometer was at 99.9 miles for the 2016 Centennial Challenge. Well, it's not good to celebrate until you cross into the the end zone, so on we plodded. Then, just as the magical unseen odometer clicked to 100 miles we were treated with an awesome gift from God.

Pam took a breath to say "we did it" when her eyes got big and she took off, camera in hand and pointing. There in the river were two elk, standing like trophies to celebrate our success. 

Then on to the visitor center we went. The rangers were very excited for us and we got the obligatory photos with the rangers.

The goal we all were looking forward to after finishing the challenge was the reception in Gatlinburg for all who had completed the 100 Mile Centennial Challenge. Due to the fires in Gatlinburg, the reception was cancelled. But congratulations to all the rest of you out there who finished the challenge this year. We hope to meed you on the trail someday.

Chuck and Heidi and ourselves had a little celebration meal at Panera Bread on the day it was suppose to happen in Gatlinburg.

Here's to many more miles of hiking!