Russell Field Trail to Cades Cove- Day 3

June 16, 2008 Monday

Jack, Liz and I exited the Appalachian Trail and heading west on the Russell Field Trail which would take us into Cades Cove and our ride back to Fontana Dam. Debbie and Phillis were heading on for a couple more days to Newfound Gap (5045 ft) which will take them past Clingmans Dome (6643 ft) the highest point in the park.

This was an easy day. It was to be 6+ miles. We headed down, down, down, past azeala trees and the dying Eastern hemlocks. Jack and Liz had hiked this trail years before and the section had greatly changed. Many of the giant hemlocks were lying, crashed to the forest floor. This allowed for other species to catch the sunlight and grow; changing the make up of the plants along the trail. There wasn't as much canopy, therefore the sun filtered through and it was much warmer, which is not beneficial to a hiker. Jack was bothered, most of the day, by gnats.

We arrived into the picnic area of Cades Cove right after lunch and utilized their picnic tables for a pleasant sit down dinner. Jack and Liz shared their tuna and baby bell cheese with me and while Jack relaxed Liz and I went to find the car.

Our goal, to exit the park, was to take the car down one way Parson Branch road . To get to the road we had to travel through the one-way Cades Cove Loop. We stopped with the other tourists to take pictures of vistas and deers, and then we ran into a major traffic jam. People were leaping from their cars, with their cameras at the ready, to try to capture...what? A small bear was running through the woods, desperately trying to escape the throngs of tourists who were trying to capture it's photo. Sorry, no physical images here, only mental ones.

Parson Branch road came with a caution. It was dirt, it would have rough patches, and it was not suggested for cars that were low to the ground. Supposedly it would save us time? It turned into yet another adventure. We forded, what was it Jack? at least twenty areas with running water. The road was windy and steep; the driving was slow and we were surrounded by woods. It was with great pleasure that we arrived at route 129 (remember the Tail of the Dragon) Route 129 was at least paved.

Shortly afterwards we arrived back at Fontana Dam, transfered all belongings and the Great Smoky Mountain hike 2008 was at an end.

Appalachian in the Smokies

June 13, 2008

In June of 2004 Frank and I trekked on the Appalachian trail from Springer Mountain to Fontana Dam. We traveled for three weeks, stopping every 3-4 days to recoup. On the second stop in Hiawassee, GA, where we stayed 24 hours with my friend Pat, I almost wanted to stop but we continued and covered maybe 172 miles. The photo above is on our 2nd day in Blood Mountain, GA.

I belong to the Florida trails (though not actively) and a few people were going to hike on the Appalachian Trail from Fontana Dam. (They had been backpacking for at least a week before I joined them) The plan was to meet at Nantahala, drive to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to drop off my car, return to Nantahala and start walking on Saturday from Fontana Dam. This way we could walk for three days, camping for two and return by my car to Fontana on Monday.
The only thing that we didn't plan for was the Tail of the Dragon. The Smokies have two main entrances. It took us 2 1/2 hours, one way, to get to the West entrance, most of it on Route 129, which is the Dragon. It was crazy and we didn't get back until 11pm. We have to get up early and get to Fontana Dam?

Nantahala has these cute, if you don't mind sharing, cabins with bunkbeds. I was in a room with two Florida ladies, a mother and daughter. They had been on the Appalachian trail for 3-4 days prior, and slept soundly, despite my late night return.