Spence Field-Russell Field-Rocky Top

Date:  2/23/13

Distance: 15.2 mi

Today I hiked with the GSHAG group up to Rocky Top.  We started from the back of the Cades Cove Picnic area.  We climbed up the Anthony Creek Trail (3.5mi) to the Bote Mountain trail.  It was quite a climb (1800') to Bote Mountain and then another hard climb to the AT on Bote Mountain.  At the AT, we turned left and went out to Rocky Top (~1mi) which was also a hard climb.  There were a few nice views as the clouds moved through.  I could imagine that on a clear day, it would be very spectacular.  Regardless of the clouds it was very rewarding to reach the summit and the views we did see were beautiful.  The total elevation gain was approximately 3600'.  The open fields on the top of the mountain were interesting to see.

We returned on the AT to the Bote Mountain trail intersection and then continued on the AT to Russell Field.  We then returned to the Cades Cove picnic area via the Russell Field trail.  The final 1.6 miles was back on the Anthony creek trail.

We started at approximately 8:30 and didn't get back until 4:30.  However I spent about 30 minutes at the summit, an additional 30 minutes at Russell Field, and stopped for 10-15 minute breaks at the Anthony Creek/Bote Mtn intersection and 10-15 minutes at the Anthony/AT intersection.

Crib Gap - Turkeypen Ridge - School House Gap - Chestnut Top

Date: 2/16/13
Distance: 10.6

Today's hike was a shuttle hike that I did with the Meetup group.  We left cars at the Y and drove to the Cades Cove Picnic area.  The trail starts in the very back of the picnic area.  The 1st 0.3 miles was on Anthony Creek Trail.  The Crib Gap trail follows very close to the road to Cades Cove.  At 0.5 miles or so, the trail crosses the road.  From that point, the trail moves away from the road and all of the noises associated with the road move away as well.  The day we hiked there was light snow, so the trail was very scenic.

After 1.6 miles, the trail intersects with Turkeypen Ridge Trail.  We turned to the right to pick up the 0.2 miles and then turned around and hiked back to the intersection and continued on Turkeypen.  There was enough climbing for me to strip down to a couple of long sleeve shirts even though the temperature was about 32.

We stopped for lunch at the School House Gab trail intersection.  After lunch, we headed up the old road to Chestnut Top Trail.  I continued past the Chestnut Top trail to get the 0.2 miles where the Scott mountain trail intersects.

Final leg was the Chestnut top trail.  I hiked it earlier in the winter, so there is already an entry in the blog about it.

Bearwaller Gap Trail - Carthage TN

Date: 2/9/13
Distance:  ~13 miles

I spent some time in the Nashville area this weekend.  Since I had some time, I drove over to Carthage and hiked the Bearwaller Gap Trail.  This trail skirts the edge of Cordell Hull Lake.  The distance is marked as 10km at the trailhead.  Along the way, I took a short side trail up to an overlook, thus the 13 mile estimate.  I started from the Defeated Creek Recreation Area at about 11:30.

About 1 mile into the hike, a sign indicated that an overlook trail was to the right.  It was a steep climb up to the ridge and the blazes didn't seem to make much sense.  The view was nice with the leaves off of the trees. I expect that in the summer there isn't much to see.  There is a park bench at the overlook, so I sat and ate my lunch before making a phone call to home.  I had cell service throughout the hike, so it seems relatively safe to hike alone.

After hiking back down the Overlook trail, I continued on the Bearwaller trail.  It hugged the shoreline of the lake for the majority of the hike.  There are about 4 rather steep climbs as the bluffs on the edge of the lake rise and fall.  I saw on one website that  the gain while climbing was 1200 ft one way.  I felt it and was pretty tired at the end.

The trail ends at another parking lot of another overlook.  There is a restroom and plenty of parking.  The hike would be a good shuttle hike.  I didn't have a shuttle, so I climbed up to the overlook, just to turn around after a look at the Dam.  There were many places on the trail with nice views of the lake and the surrounding hills.  I don't imagine that there are many views when the leaves are out.

There were about 6 or 7 dry stream beds that I crossed.  They looked like they carried lots of water at times, so I don't think I'd try this one if there is rain in the forecast.

At about the middle of the hike, there was a very nice backcountry camp site.  It had an outhouse, a picnic table with a trashcan and lots of space.

The day was bright and sunny.  An excellent day in the woods.

Approximate Times:
11:30 Started
12:00 Finished lunch at the overlook and back on trail
1:20 Campsite
2:20 Half Done
4:35 Back at Car