Meigs Mountain - Lumber Ridge

Date: 12/29/2012
Distance: 10.5

Hiked this trail with the Greater Smoky Hiking and Adventure Group (Meetup).  The trail was a shuttle hike.  We met at Tremont and took two cars to Elkmont (9 hikers).  The ride was about 30 minutes and we started on the trail at 9:40.

The day started rainy and cold (~35F).  The rain wasn't hard, but enough that I used a poncho for the 1st mile or so of the hike.  Later the rain changed to snow and thus made a very beautiful and scenic hike.  When we stopped for lunch at the 4.5 miles in (I think this is where Meigs turns into Lumber) the snow was really falling and we got cold.  We ate quickly and got back on the trail before we got too cold.

The trail itself had several up and down sections that weren't too difficult, but did warm me up to the point that I was wearing only a long sleeve shirt and a nylon jacket.  The final couple of miles were downhill with an elevation drop of 1300 feet.  There were about 10 small stream crossings that we easily hop rocked across.  I only fell on one of them, but fortunately I didn't land in the water.

We got back to Tremont about 2:30.

Frozen Head - Panther Creek - N Old Mac - Spicewood

Date:  12/22/12
Distance: ~9mi

The day started cold (~28), but the sun was shining and the forecast was calling for temperatures to reach the mid-40's.  I had seen that the Meetup group (Greater Smokey hiking and Adventure) were going to hike in Frozen head today, so I went that way as well.

One of the trails which I had not hiked was the Panther Branch Trail, so I started with that one.  I parked at the Panther Branch Trail-head and set out about 10:15.  The 1st waterfall on the trail wasn't huge but it was quite nice with a 15-20' drop.  It had a nice overlook area from above and steps down to the base of the falls for viewing from below.

The 2nd waterfall (Emory Gap) was larger and very scenic.  It was set back from the trail with lots of boulders in the creek leading up to the falls.  The Meetup group was at this falls (>30 people), so I mostly watched from a distance.   The total distance to this falls was about 1.5 miles from the car.  It would be a nice hike for the family.  The elevation did change enough that I had to remove my 2 fleece jackets before I got there.

I circled back to the Panther Branch Trail which goes up to North Old Mac trail.  It was a steady climb with more than a few small creek crossings.  Since it rained earlier in the week, a few were a bit dangerous.  One of them looked slippery enough that I went 20 or 30 ' below the trail to cross at a safer location.  There was a bit of snow on the north side of the mountain, but the trail was clear.

I had lunch at the Tub Spring Camp area.  Views were great and enough sun was shining in to keep it from feeling too cold.  I did remove my hiking shirts which were a little damp and wore the 2 fleeces.  By the time I finished lunch, one of the shirts had dried and I put it back on along with 1 fleece.  I was cold for a while on the way down.  I opted not to hike up to the firetower, as the Meetup group went by and I figured it was crowded at the tower.

I opted for the Spicewood trail  on the way down to get a bit more distance.  I had also remembered that the S. Mac trail was a little rocky at the top.  However, I had forgotten about all of the stream crossings on the Spicewood trail.  Several times it was a little slippery, but I managed to stay on my feet and only splashed myself once while flailing around with my hiking stick.

The walk back up to the car seemed longer than it looked on the map.  I was hoping someone would come by and give me a ride up to the car, but alas no cars came by during the walk up the road.

Start: 10:15
Top of Mountain: 12:15
Start off of the Top: 12:45
Back to car: 2:15

Chestnut Top Trail

Date:  12/18/12
Distance: 9 miles

The Chestnut Top Trail starts at the Townsend "Y".  The trail is across the street from the parking lot.  It was a nice day (clear, high near 60).  I started about 11:45, so it was still cool, but I resisted the urge to wear too many clothes.

The hike initially heads back towards Townsend while it ascends the good sized mountain that borders the road.  About the time you can see the 1st of the businesses in Townsend, it turns and heads in the opposite direction on the ridge.

Most of the hike is on the ridges of the mountains in the area.  Quite often there are nice views off each side of the trail.  The forest seems to be mostly pine trees, so I wonder if it doesn't have pretty good views year round.

Once I got to the ridge I had cell phone service, so it seems a pretty safe hike for hiking alone.  I passed several single hikers (mostly senior adults, both men and women).

At the end of the trail, I continued down a jeep road for an extra 0.2 miles to make it a nice round 9 miles.  Turns out there is a gravel road and a cabin there.

All in all a nice hike with a decent climb 1486' with some nice views.
Here are a couple of maps I copied from www.hikinginthesmokys.com.  It is a great place to scope out hikes.  I highly recommend it.


Start Time:  11:45
Turn Around:  1:25
Back to Car:  3:10

Frozen Head - Bird Mountain - North Old Mac Trail

Date: 12/13/12
Distance:  ~10

The day was cool ~40 at 12:00 when I started.  I parked at the picnic area because the campground road was closed.  The climb up to Castle Rock was challenging (~1900 ft) with many switchbacks.  I chose this direction to get the climbing over with.  About 1/2 way up, I stopped and removed my long johns.  Since my car was the only one I saw in either parking area, I figured there was little risk of an embarrassing situation.  I didn't see a single person until I was back in the parking lot.

Castle Rock was a very large rock formation on the top of the mountain.  It did resemble castle walls.  Following along on the Bird Mountain Trail, the trail crosses the peak of Bird Mountain which had a sign indicating the elevations was a bit over 3000'.  Shortly after the Bird Mountain Camp, the trail turns into a Jeep Road.  With lots of leaves on the road, it was difficult to hike at times due to hidden logs and holes under the leaves.  When the trail hit the Lookout Tower Trail, it was shortly after 2:00pm.  Originally I was going to go back down the Tower Trail, but since it was still early, I continued on East and south to the North Old Mac trail.  The walk to the Old Mac trail was on an old road. It was mostly along the ridge and was easy hiking. Since it was a clear day and there were no leaves on the trees, there were many nice views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

The North Old Mac trail was a nice smooth walk down the mountain.  The rate of descent is about perfect, not to steep.

It was a great day in the woods.

Hike Times:
Start 12:00
Bird Mountain Camp: 1:30
Intersection with Lookout Tower Trail: 2:10
Intersection with North Old Mac:  3:05
Old Mac Trailhead:  4:18
Back  to Car and ready to leave: 4:30

Chimney Top Trail - Frozen Head

Date: 12/7/12
Distance: ~8.5

After the nice experience last weekend, I took a day of vacation and hiked another trail at Frozen Head.  On this day, it was mostly cloudy.

The hike up to Chimney top was difficult.  The trail climbs up and over one ridge, before it starts up the primary mountain.  It felt like I went up 800ft and then down 800ft before going up 1800 ft.  Even though the final elevation gain was 1800ft, I probably climbed 3000.

The Chimney rock was impressive on top of the mountain.  I may have attempted to climb up on top, but since I was alone, I didn't risk it.

Once on top of the mountain, the trail continues along the ridge.  Several times it dipped off of the ridge to avoid another large rock outcropping, only to climb back up on the ridge just after.  On the mountain, I ended up in a cloud.  There were some large rain drops, but I mostly stayed dry.  It felt like a scene out of the Lord of the Rings.  I could only see 30' in front of me for most of the time on the ridge.

I returned on the Spicewood trail.  It was rocky at times, but a pretty smooth walk down.

Started about 9:00
Chimney top at 10:40
Started Spicewood at 12:00
Back to Car about 1:10

Old Mac Trail - Frozen Head

Date: 12/1/12
Distance: ~8.5

Took my 1st hike in Frozen Head.  The Old Mac trail is a loop trail.  I went up on the "North" trail and returned on the "South".  I chose this direction as I wanted to be in the shade while climbing.  The hike has an elevation gain of approximately 1700 ft.  The north trail had nearly constant slope up the mountain.  I rarely stopped to rest as this rate of rise was reasonable.  The hike down was a bit steeper and a little rocky.

At the top of the North Trail, there is a "rock house".  I went down to check it out.  It is a large rock bluff with some camping space under the bluff.  It was worth the walk down.

On top of the mountain there is a fire tower that allows you to get above the trees and have a nice view.  I was surprised that the cell phone didn't work on the tower.  I was able to call home about 1/2 way down the mountain.

Old Sugarland Trail

Date: 11/23/12
Distance: approximately 10

This hike was made with the GSHAG group on Meetup.  This was a trail that I was unaware of before the hike announcement.  The trail starts near the Sugarlands Visitor Center.  The trailhead is a little difficult to locate.  It is back towards Gatlinburg and across the road.

The trail is an old roadbed.  There are many artifacts of the CCC along the way.  The trail is wide and not difficult to hike.  It was steep at times.  We ended at the parking lot for Rainbow Falls.  We ate near the parking lot along Le Conte Creek.

On the way back, one of the hikers suggested that we take a different turn of the road out to an old cemetery and a stone house. The cemetery was interesting as you could clearly tell that at certain dates, many people died at close the same time.  It made you wonder what type of illness might have ravaged the area.

The stone house was quite interesting. 
It did look like it might fall down any day.

Rich Mountain Loop

Date:  Early Nov 2012
Length: 8.5

Went to Cades Cove to either ride or hike depending on traffic.  Car traffic was heavy in the Cove, so I opted to hike.  This was my 1st time to hike the trail.  I hiked in the clockwise direction.  I was surprised that the trail went by one of the Cabins in the Cove.  It seemed a little odd to come out of the woods and have a large crowd of tourists milling about.  After leaving the cabin, there was quite a hard Climb up the mountain.  At the top was an old road with many nice places to relax.

Since the leaves were off the trees and because the skies were very clear, there were many nice views down into the cove.  On top of the mountain, I could also see several towns off in the distance.  I think it was Townsend and Maryville.  I had Cell phone service on the ridge.

Charlies Bunyon

Date of Hike: Oct 19, 2012

Distance: approximately 10 miles

Went hiking with the Great Smokey Hiking and Adventure Club for this hike.  It was quite cold at Newfound gap and at the Bunyon, but was warm on the trail. The Smokies weren't very Smokey, so you could see for great distances.  Most of the leaves had already fallen.  It would have been nice to go a few weeks earlier.  After checking out the Bunyon, I split from the group and went over the the Jumpoff.  The sign on the Bunyon trail indicated that it was only 0.5 miles to the Jumpoff.  It felt much further.  There was quite a bit of elevation change on the way out there.