Interested in hiking deep into the heart of the Smokies?
You've come to the right place!
Greetings and welcome to "Smokies Stories and Glories," the online hiking journal of John Northrup. Join me as I document each new hike in my quest to traverse the 900 miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains. My goal here is to share my experiences with all of you, one trail at a time, in writing and through a camera lens. As an avid photographer of nature, I hope to bring the beauty of the Smokies directly to your computer screens, so please check out the numerous galleries here on the site.
I am currently employed as a crew member at the LeConte Lodge for a third year with my fiance, Bonnie. The opportunity I've had to experience life in the mountains and meet new people as enthusiastic about this park as me has been incredible and rewarding. So if you make a trip to the Lodge or pass me on one of the Smokies' many extraordinary trails, please say hello! And as long as you're on this site, feel free to drop me a line, and periodically explore the site for new photos and journal entries. Enjoy!
I am currently employed as a crew member at the LeConte Lodge for a third year with my fiance, Bonnie. The opportunity I've had to experience life in the mountains and meet new people as enthusiastic about this park as me has been incredible and rewarding. So if you make a trip to the Lodge or pass me on one of the Smokies' many extraordinary trails, please say hello! And as long as you're on this site, feel free to drop me a line, and periodically explore the site for new photos and journal entries. Enjoy!
2012 Hiking Stats
Current Standing out of all Smokies Trails: 35.3 TO GO!!!
Tennessee side of the Park: COMPLETED
Remaining Miles and Trails:
Forney Creek - 6.4
Jonas Creek - 4.1
Bear Creek - 5.9
Welch Ridge - 0.6
Cold Spring Gap - 3.5
Bone Valley - 1.8
Hazel Creek - 9.4
Beard Cane - 3.6 (Trail currently closed from EF-4 Tornado Destruction)
Total Miles (?-?): 0.0
Past Hiking Stats
2011 Total Miles (Feb. 5th - 8th, March 7th - Dec. 1st): 907.8
2010 Total Miles (March 9th - Nov. 24th): 1,300.0
Top 5 Favorite 2011 Hikes:
#1 - Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap / AT
#2 - Clingmans Dome to Elkmont via AT / Goshen Prong / Little River
#3 - Cooper Road / Cane Creek / Gold Mine / Little Bottoms /
Abrams Falls Loop
#4 - Spence Field / Rocky Top via Lead Cove / Bote Mountain / AT
#5 - Hemphill Bald via Rough Fork / Big Fork Ridge / McKee Branch /
Cataloochee Divide Loop
Top 5 Favorite 2010 Hikes:
#1 - Mt. Cammerer via Chestnut Branch / AT / Hwy 32 Loop
#2 - Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide
#3 - Spence Field / Rocky Top via Anthony Creek / Bote Mtn. / AT /
Russell Field Loop
#4 - Shuckstack and Doe Knob via AT
#5 - Mt. Sterling and Mt. Sterling Ridge
Top 5 Favorite Smokies Destinations:
#1 - Gregory Bald (Mid June)
#2 - Mt. Cammerer (Late April, Mid October)
#3 - Spence Field / Rocky Top (Early May, Mid June, Mid October)
#4 - Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide (Early June)
#5 - Shuckstack (Early May, Late October)
*Lists subject to change as year progresses.
Tennessee side of the Park: COMPLETED
Remaining Miles and Trails:
Forney Creek - 6.4
Jonas Creek - 4.1
Bear Creek - 5.9
Welch Ridge - 0.6
Cold Spring Gap - 3.5
Bone Valley - 1.8
Hazel Creek - 9.4
Beard Cane - 3.6 (Trail currently closed from EF-4 Tornado Destruction)
Total Miles (?-?): 0.0
Past Hiking Stats
2011 Total Miles (Feb. 5th - 8th, March 7th - Dec. 1st): 907.8
2010 Total Miles (March 9th - Nov. 24th): 1,300.0
Top 5 Favorite 2011 Hikes:
#1 - Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap / AT
#2 - Clingmans Dome to Elkmont via AT / Goshen Prong / Little River
#3 - Cooper Road / Cane Creek / Gold Mine / Little Bottoms /
Abrams Falls Loop
#4 - Spence Field / Rocky Top via Lead Cove / Bote Mountain / AT
#5 - Hemphill Bald via Rough Fork / Big Fork Ridge / McKee Branch /
Cataloochee Divide Loop
Top 5 Favorite 2010 Hikes:
#1 - Mt. Cammerer via Chestnut Branch / AT / Hwy 32 Loop
#2 - Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide
#3 - Spence Field / Rocky Top via Anthony Creek / Bote Mtn. / AT /
Russell Field Loop
#4 - Shuckstack and Doe Knob via AT
#5 - Mt. Sterling and Mt. Sterling Ridge
Top 5 Favorite Smokies Destinations:
#1 - Gregory Bald (Mid June)
#2 - Mt. Cammerer (Late April, Mid October)
#3 - Spence Field / Rocky Top (Early May, Mid June, Mid October)
#4 - Hemphill Bald via Cataloochee Divide (Early June)
#5 - Shuckstack (Early May, Late October)
*Lists subject to change as year progresses.
"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." ~John Muir
