04 Smokemont
Trip Start
Oct 10, 2007
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4
6
Trip End
Nov 15, 2007
Smokemont, North Carolina
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The raging river had me quickly sawing logs in the tent last night and we had a reprieve from rain today with only a few drops overnight (tent still sopping at the seams though). With 50F weather (versus 70+F), I hiked the Smokemont Loop trail -- although only six miles, it was the most strenuous hike to date and wet leaves hid all the slippery spots. My body sure aches and I'm looking forward to sacking out early tonight. When getting some provisions today, I stopped to view the Mingus mill built in 1886; its famous for using a water turbine instead of the old unreliable waterwheel.
Weather forecast says ride -- but it sure is nippy (40+F) before 10:00 here. Tried to ascend Clingmans Dome but had to wait half a day for the mist to clear -- well worth the wait but it was bloody cold at 6600 feet and I had to beware of ice, both walking and biking. I also rode a loop utilizing the Blue Ridge Parkway and diverting to the Heintooga trail (I wouldn't call it a road), which was great on the bike -- their timew estimates were generous and I'm not sure I want to ride on wet leaves at night.
The next day I completed the Blue Ridge Parkway and it was really interesting looking down on the clouds on a bright day. I created a large loop hitting places like Sylva and Franklin, cute towns, and finished with a flourish on Highway 28 which is another dragon imitation - but lots of fun other than getting sore shoulders throwing the bike back and forth.
I'm heading towards the north central part of the park today after I dried out the bottom of the tent, picked up supplies and my emails... I will keep in touch with you all if my batteries hang in there. It dropped to about 35F last night...
Tidbits:
- Tubing on the creeks and rivers is a big sport in the Great Smoky.
- Campsite elevations: Cosby 2500', Abrams Creek 1125', Deep Creek 1800', Smokemont 2200', Elkmont 2150', Cades Cove 1800'.
- Highest elevation: Clingmans Dome 6643'.
PS: My apologies for not culling the pictures a little more but from a battery perspective it was easier to include most instead of gleaning through them more.
