Call me crazy...a 31 mile body buster from Cades Cove to Bone Valley to Fontana. A few serviceberry trees were still in bloom despite the morning frost. Views to the southwest toward Shuckstack and Fontana were pristine. A break in trees affords a view up at Blockhouse Mountain. At one point the trail passed through a tiny forest of painted trillium...most impressive. A grassy and blackberry adorned Haw Gap. Peering across the porch of the Calhoun Place near the old Proctor settlement. Glasslike waters of Eagle Creek before it empties its waters into Lake Fontana.
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With the assistance of a shuttle, I was able to ascend the Newton Bald Trail and turn south toward Deep Creek so that I could complete the Sunkota Ridge. One of a hundred Vasey's Trilliums flourishing along the slopes of Newton Bald. A decent number of old growth oak trees still thrive along Sunkota Ridge. Beautiful weather makes for great afternoon visit to Deep Creek. The drive back across the park was thoroughly enjoyable as life returns to the mountains.
In order to beat some impending storms, I elected to complete the short stretch of Rich Mountain from the park boundary to the mountain summit. A black swallowtail enjoys one of the first Flame Azalea bushes to bloom this year. The time for the Mountain Laurel has come with summer right around the corner.
Took a day to traverse Shuckstack from Twentymile to Lakeshore and back. A heck of a haul with numerous hairy stream crossings along Lost Cove. One of a great number of red Huger's Trillium that lined the trail early on. A video showing the beautifully flowing Twentymile Cascade. The wild geraniums were out in full force much of the way, a great spring for the purple flower. I managed to stumble upon an open Fraser Magnolia bloom at ground level, catching a whiff of its creamy goodness. A different perspective from Shuckstack, so much green, compared to my trip last fall. One of seven unbridged stream crossings...notice the massive tree truck ideally stretched across the water. It sure came in handy!
After an entire month of not accumulating any new miles in the park, the weather and my procrastination finally reached an accord enabling me to knock out the Goshen Prong Trail in a great hike from Clingmans Dome to Elkmont. Temps at the Dome were in the 50's and the views were grand. Despite the week's cool temps and heavy rains, even the Trout Lilies near the Dome were in fine shape. Not long after leaving the AT, the trail conditions got a little rough and rocky. A vast cave in which one can crawl a ways into is situated just over halfway down from the AT to the campsite. Where I was able to cross this unmentioned and unbridged stream crossing is somewhere at the top of the picture. Taking a look at the mighty Goshen Gate Bridge over the Little River. The clusters of Showy Orchis along the Little River Trail were the most impressive I've ever seen in the park anywhere.
Rarely do I ever describe my hikes around LeConte, but our two treks up and down (and vice versa) the two halves of the Bull Head Trail warrant some attention. Much to my amazement, the Fraser Magnolias were blooming at the mid elevations. Even the painted trilliums got off to an early start this year, a pleasant surprise.
With hopes of a sunnier afternoon, we took the weather forecast for its word and headed up to Mount Cammerer to behold its spring beauty. Breaks in the clouds above offered rare glimpses of blue skies while everything else remained socked in. Shortly after we left, the clouds broke and we could see peaks and valleys all around, so we immediatley returned to the tower to soak it all up. With the sun's reintroduction, the Trout Lilies began to open their droopy heads. Even the Spring Beauties burst open with the sun's help to cover the mountain in white for miles and miles. Low Gap was adorned with a blanket of White Fringed Phacelia. At trail's end we were treated to one of a few large Vasey's Trillium.
We made sure to get an early morning start to enjoy the beauty of White Oak Sink and Chestnut Top before we returned to the mountain for work. Here were are standing in a small portion of the sea of blue phlox at White Oak Sink. The Fire Pink was out in full force at Chestnut Top. Admiring a few of the White Dogwoods at the Sugarlands Visitor Center before calling it a day.
We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and enjoy the spring explosion in the lower elevations by visiting both Porters Creek and the Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail. One of our first treats of the hike was this fine patch of crested dwarf irises, a favorite of both of ours. On the return trip we stopped by the Whaley homestead. Upon her exploring of the spring house, Bonnie pointed out this smal crawfish. Several slopes were blanketed in the White Fringed Phacelia at both Porters Creek and the Chimneys Picnic Area.
I am in the midst of revisiting my journal entries to fill in the narrative of those only with pictures from August of last year to present. I will post the dates and names of the entries I have recently done here so it will be easier for you to find them. Click on a link below and enjoy!
4/23/11 - *Pending 4/22/11 - *Pending 4/21/11 - *Pending 4/13/11 - *Pending 4/11/11 - *Pending 3/8/11 - *Pending 3/7/11 - *Pending 2/8/11 - Just Another Reminder 2/7/11 - Taking it Down a Notch 2/6/11 - It's quiet...too quiet...or is it? 2/5/11 - Kicking Off 2011 11/17/10 - The Final Push before the Final Week 11/16/10 - Don't Let the Name Fool You 11/15/10 - A Season Winds Down while the Miles Rack Up 11/2/10 - *Pending 11/1/10 - *Pending 10/31/10 - *Pending 10/30/10 - *Pending 10/21/10 - *Pending 10/20/10 - The Roads and Trails Less Traveled 10/19/10 - *Pending 10/18/10 - *Pending 10/5/10 - Where there's Smokemont, there's Fire. 10/2/10 - *Pending 9/26/10 - How Deep is Too Deep? 9/25/10 - *Pending 9/15/10 - Rusted from the Rain 9/14/10 - Upping the Ante 9/13/10 - *Pending 9/1/10 - *Pending 8/31/10 - Falling Flat 8/30/10 - "Round, Round, Get Around, I Get Around!" 8/17/10 - All Bark and No Bite 6/18/10 - *Pending |
Thanks for visiting!I appreciate you stopping by. This site is for your enjoyment as much as it is mine. Look for new photos and journal entries about every 1-2 weeks. Archives
November 2011
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