Go Smokies Spring Hike 2017 Event-- Henwallow Falls

White wakerobin trillium along Gabe's Mtn. Trail 

Go Smokies Spring Hike 2017 Event-- Henwallow Falls 

Sunday April 30, 2017

Hike distance 4.4 miles round trip

Pictures are here beginning with frame 746 

Go Smokies Hike Pix

  GoSmokies is an online social media community created by Jigsha Desai on behalf of the

Knoxville News Sentinel.   It has been around since about 2004ish?? Jack Lail is currently the 

person in charge.  I had known of it and participated in it off and on for a long time.   I first began

to be real time buddies with some of the folks on there back several years ago.   The Spring function

this year was the first official GoSmokies gathering I have attended.  My husband Kenny and my grandson Michael also attended.   We met at the Cosby Campground and hiked from there. The hike

was to Hen Wallow Falls along Gabe's Mountain Trail.   It was not a difficult or long hike. It was

beautiful though.  The purpose of these is to socialize and enjoy nature.   

Mike Maples is giving a talk about the area and the old roads etc. 

Dan and David Sands sitting on the log. Not sure whose back that is.  Listening to Mike talk. 

       Eleanor and Bonnie were the persons who mainly put it together with E being the big boss!

It went extremely well I thought.  Mike Gourley was the hike leader. He took a few minutes of

reflection on the Lord or whatever one's Higher Power might be.   It was very spiritual.  

I did not get to speak to every single person there, but I sure enjoyed those I met.  It was great to 

finally get to meet folks I've been online pals with on the site and Facebook for a long spell.

People can present themselves online any way they please.  You know the old bait and switch that goes on with the dating world especially can give online friendships and relationships a bad name.

My sister has shown up to Plenty of Fish first dates only to find the jackass who she was meeting 

1. was not the person pictured on the dating profile.  2. had an butt load of excuses why he was deceptive.  3.  turned out to be a neurotic individual who was alone because he was just an all around loser.    I am pleased to say that on meeting the folks from GoSmokies all of them were as they presented themselves.  Matter of fact they were BETTER than they presented themselves.  I made 

more friendships with quality people. My grandson made friends with adults and one child.. Bonnie's grandson.  My husband was glad to see old friends and make new ones.  

Long legged Michael .. my grandson crawling over a blow down.

Michael and Dan, David in the background.

 Gabe's Mountain Trail is a good trail for pink lady slippers.

One flowered cancer root.. tiny flowers and somewhat rare.  Gotta look hard to spot these.  I expect me and Mike Gourley are the only ones who saw them today. 

          

David Sands turned out to be the most fun, sweet guy. He is a kid's dream come true.

An adult who acts like a big kid!  He was so good to Michael.   The hike was leisurely and non competitive.  Folks just hiked their own hike and if they got to feeling tired or could not continue

they turned back.  It was as all hikes should be.... fun and enjoyable. Not a race! 

Hen Wallow Falls. It is a 4.4 mile Round trip moderate hike to see this beauty!

Profile shot of Hen Wallow Falls. Look at all that new Spring greenery!  What a perfect day! 

       

David Sands lounging

 Michael eating lunch on a rocky perch

Left to right Mike Gourley, Ben Gentry and Tina.. I think that is her name.   

Mike Maples the mountain Jedi.

Mike Gourley with a Smoky Mountain Growler
He works for the company that manufactures them! It is a local industry!

White form of T. sulcatum.  I saw a couple of these.  One photo shows a flower that has the more perfect textbook recurved petals, but it is blurry.  

Denise Cameron aka Ellie Mae Clampett is hunting for critters in the creek.
A gal after my own heart!

and Looky hyere! She has found some.. five salamanders in one spot!

The bottom left of this photo is the lucky guy who snagged Denise as his missus... Keith Cameron! 

Mike Gourley soaking his head and getting wet to cool off

Me and Mike Gourley hiked out together so we could catch up. I had been missing my friend.  We were fortunate to see Mr. Black Snake on our return hike. 

  

The time of fellowship over desserts and snacks was wonderful.  We all just brown bagged lunch since we were not sure how many would show up.  It ended up being about 20 people.  Just right.

Lots of history presented. Lots of natural beauty.  My family left with our hearts full of love and friendship.  We cannot wait for the next time and plan to attend.  Thanks to the Knoxs News Sentinel for providing a social media outlet that has grown to be a family.  

      

Below is a short pretty video of Henwallow Falls from the day's hike.  Lots of water coming over that falls today!

   Seemed like a great time was had by all and I hope these folks and more will come to the next gathering.  We took time to discuss plans for a Fall event before we headed home.  Going to be fun! 

Grapeyard Ridge to Injune Creek Through Hike

Asters were the flower of the day along Grapeyard Ridge

Grapeyard Ridge to Injune Creek Through Hike 

Another Go Smokies Hike! 

Dana Koogler

Marlene Denton

David Ledbetter

Duane Pierce

Mitch & Rhonda Reagan

*Cameo Appearance by Mike Maples*

Sunday Sept. 28, 2014

Shuttle Hike from Roaring Fork the Greenbrier

Total miles hiked 7.5 

    I had a bleak and dismal attempt at a backpacking trip to Big Creek the previous day. 

I got invited to go hiking Sunday by the GoSmokies bunch and I jumped at the chance.   I was 

all about it.   Just thinking of it made me feel better.   We met up Sunday morning at the Greenbrier

Ranger Station at 8:15 am.    Mike Maples was there with us, but our excitement at thinking he was going

with us was short lived.  He had to work, but just came by to say hello and visit for a bit.  I was tickled

I finally got to meet him. I also was pleased to finally meet David Ledbetter.   It was so good to see 

everyone again.   GW Denton was missed as were Mike Gourley, Jeff Cole, Curtis, Cheryl, Betsy, David

and all the rest. 

     We visited a little while then once everyone was there who planned to go we left some vehicles there

and headed to Roaring Fork to set our shuttle vehicle at the end of Grapeyard Ridge Trail. The plan

was to hike from the Roaring Fork end of Grapeyard and split off onto the Injune Creek Manway thus

eliminating the last part of the Grapeyard Ridge Trail that has creek crossings.   It was new miles for me

so I was pleased.   I had been up Injune Creek before as far as the big rock walls, but had never finished it.

Today I hoped I would finally finish it.  

       We started off at the buildings there along Roaring Fork.  I have been by there so many times, but never

stopped to figure where the trail actually was.  It goes back past the buildings and uphill.   It is worth mentioning that Duane said the trail had been re-routed in the past.  I know that I looked back to the 1973 

hiking guide map to check some things we saw.  When the 1973 map was printed Grapeyard Ridge trail 

was not even an official park trail.   It was a mere manway then so it seems.  It ran the spine of the ridge very

similar to what we did today with our chosen route.  Upon first starting the trail veers left and uphill while 

it seems a tail end goes straight along the creek.   The little tail end hanging out there is part of an old access 

to the manway.  It ran from down near the gate on Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and paralleled the creek, passed the buildings and went out to the "tail" and dead ended.   Veering off that track to the left was another section of manway that veered left and went up to join with the Grapeyard Ridge Manway about a mile and a half into the hike.   We saw an old official park sign there with the bottom edge damaged.

By the sign was a track leading off, but it was very overgrown with rhodo and I was not even sure it was

ever a path. We had some discussion as to whether it was the end of an old manway or a water bar. 

Other access points that we encountered along the main trail were a manway that runs off to the left of it

and ends down along Dudley Creek at Highway 321 in Gatlinburg.   

        We hiked along at a leisurely pace. I enjoyed everyone's company and we had time to catch up.

It had been too  long.   I was in a totally different frame of mind today than Saturday. I did not care much about how long it took, taking pictures, or any of that. I was just glad to be with my friends and in the woods.  The day was a nice temperature and a little overcast.   I saw lots of gentians along the trail.

I also saw evidence this trail would be a good place to hunt orchids in other seasons.   We spied the 

remnants of YFO's along the edges of the trail near its beginning. I remembered to whine about the uphill since Curtis was not there to do it.  I made sure to take up the slack on the bellyaching.  

     We checked out old home sites, fences, etc. Marlene found an old medicine bottle in great condition.

It was Dr. Thachers Liver & Blood Syrup.  It had only one crack in its bottom edge, but was whole. 

I continued to be surprised and delighted at the mossy stone walls and rock cribbing we encountered

at multiple points along the trip.   We passed one spot where stone walls were built along the creek 

making us wonder if there had been a grist mill there?  It was beautiful.  The woods were waning to Fall.

Leaves were just beginning to come down.  We mainly saw asters, gentian and goldenrod along the trail

for Fall wildflowers. We did see some lingering orange jewelweed and pale yellow jewelweed.  

     Grapeyard Ridge Trail is very pretty and not real hard.  Injune Creek trail is very pretty.

It looks like something out of a Fairy Tale at one foot log we crossed.  I can easily see why so

many repeat trips are made up there.   We stopped and ate lunch along the trail.  

We continued on and saw about ten people total besides us all day.    Most were along the Grapeyard

Ridge Trail, but we did encounter a family of four down on Injune Creek manway.  

   

Top: Grapeyard Ridge Trail

Bottom: Mitch is explaining something 

       We were amazed at the huge amount of acorns littering the ground on the trail.  It was a bumper crop!

The bears will eat good this year for sure.   We were amazed one of us didn't get beaned in the head by

the acorns continuing to fall off the trees!   We had a pool going. We voted Rhonda most likely to get bonked in the head by an acorn, but I tried to cheat and throw one at her to ensure I'd win. We joked 

that it was like trying to hike on ball bearings or marbles!  One of us finally did get thrown down by 

the little buggers, but I won't say who. :-) 

     We had some partial views along the ridgeline. We saw big trees.   I got to see and learn about

Twisted Sister, a very gnarly tree at the junction of a manway with Grapeyard Ridge Trail.   I had never

heard of some of the places much less seen them.  Duane was who I needed to chat with today.I'd had 

some things bothering me and he shrunk my head for me.   It is a valuable thing to have good friends

to bounce ideas off and to help get things back in their proper perspective.  I left there at the days end

feeling content and like I left the worries behind me as I hiked.  

      I was the only one in the group who had not visited the wrecked "train". Mitch explained it was not

a train, but a steam tractor.  Marlene explained the reason for it ending up wrecked in the creek was that

the operator was drunk as testified to by his own mama!  That would be enough to do it.  It was really neat

and would be worth the hike to see that alone.  

 
Rhonda checking out the old steam tractor wreck. She is videotaping it with her Go Pro cam.

     We got to see CS 32 which is a lovely spot.  Duane is familiar enough with it he pointed out to me

the recent modifications to the site. The bear cables were relocated as was the fire ring.  He seemed unsure

why they did some of the changes to it, but it got done just the same.    

     We turned aside to see the McCarter Cemetery on the way out.   I had hiked Injune Creek many years ago with different friends, and I was not sure if I had visited the cemetery or not? Turned out I had NOT 

seen it before.  They bury the dead up on a hill.  So it was more uphill to get there, but it was short.

It added about 1/2 mile extra to the trip so it was not bad.   

      We eased along toward the vehicles and the trailhead.  Most of the crossings on Injune Creek have foot logs.   It was so pretty.  I had forgotten just how nice it was. 

Other remnants of the old steam tractor. 

        Back at the vehicles we did some quick figuring who wanted to go grab a barbecue dinner and who was wanting to go home?  Dave, Marlene and Duane went ahead to retrieve vehicles from off Roaring Fork before the gate was closed.  Mitch, Rhonda and myself headed to the little BBQ place at the end of the road. I had a nice relaxing dinner with them. It was the perfect end to the day.   I hugged them good bye

and parted company. I hope it wont be long til we meet up again to hike or do something fun.

Gregory Bald Azalea Hike 2014

Gregory Bald azaleas and butterfly.

Gregory Bald Azalea Hike

Sunday June 22, 2014

12 miles round trip

Dana Koogler

Jeff Cole

Mitch & Rhonda Reagan

  

Pictures are here starting with frame 86
 Gregory Bald 2014 Pix

      I hiked to Gregory Bald this azalea season with friends.  I mistakenly thought

that Jeff had been before.  It turned out I was the only one who had ever been before.

I have been to GB via every trail in an assortment of trips over the years.  I have backpacked it.

I have day hiked it.    We day hiked it this time. We met at the Townsend Wye and carpooled.

We agreed on Gregory Ridge Trail out and back.  We also agreed to a super early start at dawn to avoid making the climb during the heat of the day.   All good decisions.  It is a long, steep climb 

no matter how you go.  We managed to avoid the worst of the heat and the mud by going this way.

 I had a good time getting to know Jeff, Rhonda and Mitch better. They are great folks and the more I get to know them the better I like them.   They are all great sports about the pain and

suffering of a long, tough climb.    We just took our time and made the best of it. 

     Gregory Ridge is a gradual ascent which helps. The trail is usually in good condition and 

it was a lot better than the rutted, muddy, horse shit trough of Gregory Bald Trail.   We enjoyed

the roar of Forge Creek along the way. We got to see old growth, big trees!  The rosebay rhododendron was putting on a pretty in pink show down at the lower elevations.  Up high

we were met with every shade of color of the native hybrid azaleas.    Don Hyatt has written a good article about the hybridization process of the flowering shrubs up there which are like

no other place in the world!   Apparently the reason for the unusual amount of blending or hybridization which results in all the different forms and colors is that the necessary four species

are all present there. It has to be this way to take place.   You don't see this amount or type of 

mixing in places where there are only two species to mix.    I have over simplified the explanation, 

but that is it in a nutshell.     Hooper Bald was another place I visited and Don has written about his visit there.  It has hybrid azaleas, but not in the amounts and wide varieties as Gregory Bald.

        Rather than go into a long trip report I will post mostly photos.  I was glad I decided to go.

It really was nice to spend time with friends. It was fun to see their reactions to visiting this special

place for their first time!   I learned new things about each of them that made me value them as people more and admire them more.  I consider that one of the best things about the day.

I had never waited this late in the season to go up.  It was past peak for sure, but still worth it.

The NPS is going to have to do something about the abuse of the bald by horse riders and illegal campers and builders of fires on the grassy bald.    I found that to be very upsetting.  I did not let it

ruin my day though.   I had a grand time and I look forward to the next adventure with my pals!

    

 

      

Gregory Bald is a grassy bald with shrubs and stunted trees. 

Jeff Cole engrossed in his photography!

Butterfly on an azalea shrub

Big black bear at the end of the day.. 

     I even enjoyed cruising around in Cades Cove in the back of Jeff's pickup with Rhonda.
We were looking for stuff to take pictures off. It was very laid back and groovy baby!  :-) 

Its all about the company and the experience. Thanks for sharing it with me!