Fall Creek Falls Backpack Causes Fever

Saturday morning, August 13th, five of us gathered for the drive to Fall Creek Falls, and we all knew Donald would have everything under control. After all, it IS Donald. However, we may have been a tad preoccupied with whether or not it was going to rain to notice the temperature. The scenic drive thru the Sequatchie Valley passed the time and we arrived in good spirits. Got ourselves registered at the Nature Center, our packs on our backs, and took off on the Paw Paw Trail.

After a bit of meandering, we found our way toward the turn to the Overnight Trail. Now, we were cookin', we just didn't mean to do it literally.

The trail led through hardwoods in full leaf foliage, some grasses, with a few rocky patches, nothing unusual. We made it to Campsite #1 and settled down for lunch.

From here, we trekked a short distance and found a sign indicating Campsite #2 (our goal for the night) was another 2.5 miles. It was heating up, but we trudged onward until we found ourselves working very carefully down the 800 foot descent into the gorge. Across the bottom, we continued until we arrived at the dry creek bed where Donald called for a break before we attacked the climb out.

 The suspension bridge needed a toll-taker!

The humidity hung heavy as we crossed the bridge, turned left up the trail and began the hardest part of our day: the 800 foot climb out of the gorge to the other side. Soon, we were hopping boulders, picking the easiest route as best we could. Each stopped as needed to rest a bit before continuing onward and upward. Sweat dripped, faces reddened, and there might have been a thought or two that we could be sitting inside an air conditioned house at that moment! The Chronicler pitched forward at one point when her foot caught in some rocks and scuffed her leg, but with Donald's help got up and kept on trucking. When she finally arrived at the sign indicating Campsite #2, she kissed it! Little did she know those 400 more yards on the sign meant more climbing! This was the first time she drank all her water on a hike! About 6.5 miles for the day.

Joe arrived first, then Linda, Reggie, joined by Monty and Donald. Campsite #2 has a hand pump for water (still needs treatment) and a privy which Donald refuted the notion it was his duty to clean! Ha!

We all took a moment to cool down after the difficult climb in the horrific heat before searching out a good camp spot. Fortunately, we arrived before a couple of other groups that arrived later and took our pick of the spaces available. Donald needed several trees to tie off the tarp he so nicely carried inside his infamous stupendous pack! Then, it was time to set up tents, filter water, and eat. Before you knew it, Joe had disappeared inside his tent. Linda had some mysterious spots on her legs and she, too, delved into her tent, Monty had itchy legs and went inside, so it was left to Reggie and Donald to visit while dusk settled. We weren't joined by a whippoorwill, but we did have bats darting through the sky and and owl hooting a strange sound. When mosquitoes starting landing, I bid goodnite and found my pad felt absolutely wonderful on my tired back, but the sticky heat made it soo hard to rest as everything on me felt wet and clammy. After a restless night, morning was serenaded in by several singing birds. Breakfast came quick, then it was time to pack up and head out.

We think we're ready for the day!

We headed out at 9:05am, travelling over a level, soft pine needle covered trail for much of the way.

Yea, the first bridge!





By now, we are droopified

Hopeful, that we are within a couple of miles, we arrive at a parking lot and realize that we have Not found our cars. After a look around, we find the trail and soon find the Fall Creek Falls overlook, and then several other overlooks, but no Nature Center. Very poor signage in this area! Finally, we get to the suspension bridge below the Center, and we know we're there! About 6 miles. A hot, hot, time was had by all! With lunch in Dunlap at the Blue Orchid, 3 of us had cheeseburgers to celebrate while Donald stayed healthy with a turkey sandwich.



Grayson Highlands...To-Die-For...Almost

Rusty and I didn't leave the backpacker's parking lot at the Massey Gap trailhead til 3:00m on Saturday, July 16th. We were a bit apprehensive about committing to the hike because of the rainy weather. After all, it was the views we were after and we didn't want to 'waste' a hike! (Can that be done?)

Finally, we made the plunge and took off thru the gate and made our way thru the grassy path. Soon, we found the second gate that led to the Rhododendron Trail and began the gradual climb in the rainy mist. In less than 1/2 mile, we found ponies grazing.

We left the ponies and continued on til we came to the gate that led out of Grayson Highlands and in to Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. At this point the rain had subsided, the misty fog remained, but we found the  AT spur trail and began to climb. From what I had heard about this area, I knew we were passing by astounding views we couldn't see! Still, Rusty and I were enjoying the quiet experience...the stillness of the path, the hush of everything except our breath as we climbed and occasional bursts of song from Baltimore orioles along the way.

Then, we made what I'd call a big mistake...we came across a sign pointing toward the 'Wilburn Ridge Trail'...a mile long trail that also connected to the AT. We couldn't see anything in the mist except a few feet in front of us. The first rock formation we climbed, we high-fived each other on our little adventuresome scramble. The next, we were more subdued, the third, I was getting frustrated, the fourth, I admitted, I was over it. This one, I felt I had put myself in some danger. The backside of my long rain poncho flew up over my head as I crawled over the slippery rock precipice. I was already hindered by the front billowing out in front from the wind. All this kept me from seeing where to put my next foot. Believe me, in that situation, on that rock, I needed to see. I held on like a crab while Rusty made it up past me, grabbed a hand and pulled me up. We got off that rock relieved to be alive and descended into more lush vegetation, verdant green ferns and foliage lured us into twists and turns alongside boulders jutting alongside the path that finally joined the AT.

Another 1/2 mile or so, brought us out of the mist and we found a view!

The Hunchback of Mr. Rogers

The adrenalin kicked in as we walked the AT, enjoying the spruce and firs and pristine wilderness. Then, we began to spot camping areas along the way and we began to search for one of our own. We'd already decided to be out in our tent rather that in Thomas Knob Shelter which we knew was close to our water source. It didn't take long to spot an area. Rusty allowed me to talk him into a certain spot for the tent (I wanted because of the view.) By the time we got it set up, it was near 7:00pm. 

About 1/3rd mile down, we found the Shelter and Ernie who went with Rusty to pump water from the spring. Now, we were finally seeing the gorgeous views! We also saw deer jumping along as we made our way back to camp.

Back at camp, Rusty filtered water while I pumped up the air mattresses. In no time, we were enjoying Chili Mac for supper...it was tasty! My sweetie let me climb in to the tent while he served up hot chocolate. I love that man! Did I mention the chill? Yes, I had on a fleece and kept it on.

Rusty regretted letting me choose the tent spot...we fought the roll all night. He also experienced leg cramps and realized, he had become a bit dehydrated. A fitful nights' sleep didn't keep us from enjoying our quiet morning on the side of Mt. Rogers; our coffee, oatmeal, and mother nature...sweet!

We packed up and headed out, avoiding the dreadful Wilburn Ridge leg of the trail:-) Without the rain and mist, our trip back was much quicker. The oohs and aahs continued as around every turn there was a spectacular view. The AT path was rocky and the climb thru the boulders caused a slow-down, but so worth it. The grassy meadows were gorgeous with views on surrounding sides!

Near the end of Mt. Rogers, we found this sweet pregnant mare with a colt nearby. A wonderful short backpack that left us wanting more of Grayson Highlands/Mt. Rogers. There are so many trails in this area to be explored! (I also understand the lower end of Wilburn Ridge is wonderful..I just advise avoiding the upper end in the rain.)

Backpacking in the Stone Door/Savage Gulf Area

Bill Kinnaman led our group of six for a one night backpack trip to the Stone Door in the Savage Gulf Natural Area. And, as everyone now surely knows, this was the Chronicler's first backpack trip. After much preparation, planning, reading, worrying, and pure-dee-ole' excitement on my part, we arrived on Saturday morning at the Stone Door Ranger station. There, we met Deborah, a hiker from Grassy Cove who joined myself, Bill, Monty, Donald, and Joe. We had spied a worrisome cloud overhead driving in, but by the time we walked the paved path and arrived at the Laurel Gulf overlook, it had disappeared and a vivid blue sky shone on what promised to be a muggy, hot day. In this picture, Bill was pointing out that we were headed to the farthest peak in the distance....ouch!

From here, the path soon led us to the impressive Stone Door, a wide crack at the top of the escarpment with stone steps that offers passage down the bluff.

Exiting the Stone Door and down a set of wooden stairs, we began a steep descent down a rocky trail before we reached the intersection for the Connector Trail. Right before this junction, we began to see a profusion of white trilliums and lavender phlox.





To the left, we followed the ridge up and down basically to find ourselves underneath the Laurel Gulf Overlook area as we continually descended into the gorge. (At times, a bit dicey as stretches of the trail seemed to have rocks thrown haphazardly like marbles dropped along the ridge!) One sturdy swinging bridge led over a dry creekbed before the trail reached another swinging bridge that crossed a beautiful, boulder filled creek with gorgeous falls.

Bill is the man!

By now the temperature had begun to bear down, the humidity stifled, and our gait had slowed accordingly while we worked our way across the gorge. We passed Cator Cabin and paused to gaze at the isolated spot, but probably the heat factor prevented any one in the group wanting to make the trek down. We finally crossed the bridge leading to the Sawmill Camp area and Bill wisely decided to have lunch near the water and have a rest before tackling the rest of the hike. (Besides that Deborah offered a bribe if he would let us have lunch by the water!)

During the break, Bill considered the heat and decided to head toward the closer camp at Stagecoach rather than Hobbs Cabin (about a mile closer). We took off in that direction, making it approximately 1/2 mile before the heat overtook one in the group and the decision was made to head back to Sawmill for camp. (One thermometer read 96 and aother 92...either way it was HOT! Carrying packs and climbing in that kind of heat can be dangerous so it seemed a prudent call).

Back at Sawmill, we soon found a great campsite. At a leisurely pace we set up tents, collected water, and after a while enjoyed dinner. (The novice backpacker had to rely on gentlemenly Joe to heat water for her noodles. Her sterno can refused to stay lit and a lesson was learned.) After good conversation, dusk turned to dark and one by one folks retired to their tents. The next dawn found Bill up early and soon the rest roused to have morning coffee and breakfast. By 8:40am, we were off to retrace our steps which made a big difference with the heat factor. It was a steady pace on the way back, with a stop here and there to catch our breath. We were gearing up for the cliimb up the Stone Door path from the Connector Trail that we had descended the day before. We paused at the intersection again before each took to face the challenge. Bill, being the great climber he is, greeted each person as they emerged from the Stone Door, and there we paused again before heading to the Ranger Station and the parking lot. 

On a personal note, the Chronicler heartily recommends making that jump from hiker to backpacker if you are at all interested. Many in the hiking group offered the use of  equipment, gave much-needed tips, and support. Over time, equipment can be purchased to collect gear that will make the experience more enjoyable. It offers the chance to be in the great outdoors on a much more intimate level. Yes, there can be some obstacles (like seed ticks-yuck!), but easily overcome and soo worth it.

Thank-you, Bill, for a great backpack experience and thank-you, Monty and Trish for the equipment you so willingly shared. Once again, I am blown away by the generosity and kindness of the members of the Chattanooga Hiking Club.

Here are a few other pics:



Donald with his stupendous pack!



Dwarf Iris









Purple Phacelia



The novice no more!