Hey Smokygirl

“I started looking into itinerary today.. and called a few people I know who live in the area.. who are in the TEHCC...

They suggested walking from Davenport Gap.. which would make a 3 dayer prolly.. about 30 miles..

The gaps break about 12 miles, 4 miles, then 12 miles.”

“The views are better than the shelters in the area.. and one person told me to dump Traildays.. that it was kinda rinky-dink.

She loved Damascus a lot better.”

“but I still wanna do Max Patch and Lemon Gap.. and hike into Hot Springs.. even if I put it off until this fall or winter.”

“Are you talking N, S or a loop?”

“N

don't know of many loops on the AT..

:)”

“May I suggest that you do not park at Davenport Gap. Park at the Ranger Station, Picnic Area, or at Mountain Mama's (a charge here). Wherever you park, you can arrange a shuttle with John Thigpen at Mtn. Mama's to the steps across I-40. If you're there, say hello to John and Caroline from backpacking Paul in Florida. Thanks.”

“There are several possible loops, partly on the AT.
1. D.G., Cosby Knob, Tricorner, Laurel Gap, Mt Sterling(CS #38), down and out.
2. D.G., Cosby Knob, CS #37, Mt. Sterling, down and out.
3. D.G., Cosby Knob, CS #37, Laurel Gap, Mt. Sterling, down & out.
4. D.G., CS #37, out.
etc.

Between Tricorner Knob and Laurel Gap Shelters, you can get some great views on a clear day. Once I thought that I could see Mt. Mitchell from there. And the views are great at Mt. Sterling.

And if you start at Cosby CG, you can make a loop using CS #35. Or from Big Creek, down to CS #37, up to either Mt. Sterling, or to Cosby Knob, or to Tricorner Knob and then back on the AT.

There are all kinds of possible loops depending upon how far you can travel in a day and how many nights you have available.

But, of course, if you're going to Hot Springs, you're somewhat limited. John can give you a ride to the steps just east of I-40, or to a couple of spots on the AT if time is a limitation.

I love that country!

Paul”

“What do you mean a lack of loops?

North on the AT. South on the Continental Divide.”

“west on North Country”

“lol.. you guys..

I am well aware of loops inside GSMNP.. I was referring to hikes along the AT in general..

SmokyGirl and I were putting together a weekender that finished up in a Hot Springs bath.”

“but thanks for the advice, Nowslimmer.. I am counting on you to point me some.. cos of your background there.”

“That sounds cool. So you are thinking about dumping the Trailfest and planning a 3 dayer into hot springs when the timing is good? It all sounds good to me. I might pay a visit to the Trail Fest anyways, maybe. Merfest is the weekend afterwards so...

Hey I hope you are okay on the snowy roads - you might be marooned in Knoxville unless you got your butt outta here by Sat. night. I am marooned right now - i live so far in the hills even if we get an inch, I can't go nowhere!
:D”

“heya smoky girl..

http://www.tehcc.org/sixmohik.htm

we could go do this hike with TEHCC on the 9th of february, and see what we think?”

“I'll be in GSMNP starting this thursday, the 14th. I'll stay at ELkmont, and do some dayhiking, visit a couple of friends there, general loitering, and fun driving. I'm staying through the following monday morning.”

“Thursday, the 13th? Fooey!! I would drive over after work, but I have Botany until 9:00 that evening! Friday, at noon, I am leaving for Mt. Rogers - double foo!! I might go looking for you Sunday night depending on what time I get back from VA. Triple foo!! You driving through Knoxville on your way out Monday morning? I can meet you for breakfast in K-town or an early lunch!”

“I leave the opposite way. I head east. fooey!”

“Hey thar! See ya in a few days!”

“Yo Bear!”

“wow.. I really need to get out more.. :)..”

“Hey Treebait!”

“

"wow.. I really need to get out more.. :).."
TownDawg

Yes, me, too!”

“Treebait, what dayhikes have you planned? Jakes Creek or Little River?

Towndawggie - you been working too hard!! I miss you on these trips!”

“I hadn't really planned anything yet, Smokygirl. What are your favorites?”

“Sniff, sniff.
<< Blots his eyes on his shirt sleeve. >>
I guess she has forgotten all about me.”

“Nowslimmer (()) I just gave you a big hug! Are you in FL for the winter?

Treebait - Little River trail is a nice stroll on an old road along the creek. There's a nice waterfall in front of a wooden bridge that I like. Huskey Gap/Sugarland Mt/Rough Creek loop is nice, but might be too long of a dayhike. I really dig Sugarland Mt Trail. I have done the Meigs Mountain/Curry He and She loop, but it involves some road walking that is unpleasant. I REALLY LOVE Schoolhouse Gap trail to Whiteoak Sink. Whiteoak Sinks is a unmaintained trail - it is a small waterfall trickling into a cave. I urge you to check out Whiteoak Sink! Email me and I will send you specific details, if you are interested!”

“Smokygirl, please send info. on the Whiteoak Sink! That sounds very cool!”

“Hmmm, that felt good, Smokygirl. Yes, I have returned to Florida for the winter. However, I'm going to Minnesota in December to visit My Old Flame. Hopefully, we won't start any forest fires.

I concur about Whiteoak Sink.

Here's four loop dayhikes out of Elkmont. I've enjoyed them all. At one time I used to do the first hike three times per day.

1. Jakes Creek Trail - Cucumber Gap Trail - Little River Trail.

2. Jakes Creek Trail - Cucumber Gap Trail - Little River Trail - Husky Gap Trail - Sugarland Mountain Trail - LIttle River Road - Elkmont Road.

3. Little River Trail - Rough Creek Trail - Sugarland Mountain Trail - LIttle River Road - Elkmont Road.

4. Little River Trail - Rough Creek Trail - Sugarland Mountain Trail - Husky Gap Trail - Little River Trail.”

“Yeah- Cucumber Gap combined with Little River makes a nice loop of about 5 miles... Local runners like to use it because it isn't too hilly.”

“Hmmm... you might start a small brushfire, nowslim?!! :D”

“"a small brushfire, nowslim?!! :D"

Most likely, already our e-mails are approaching the "flash point!"”

“Hey smoky, I just added a folder in my webshots account with 4 pictures of waterfalls from Sipsey. I believe all of them are at the high res that I had mentioned to you.”

“Hey Smokygirl!!!





Just wanted to say hi, see you at Savage Gulf!”

“ttt - to the top”

“Are you missing a pair of socks?”

“That should have started "Hey Smokygirl!"”

“I see your going on the kayak/camping trip this weekend. It will be good to see you again.”

“bump”

“Hey - finally saw this! Yes, I will be arriving Saturday morning as I cannot take off work. I am looking forward to bringing my 17 foot yellow baby. She's a beaut!

I am excited!”

“Hey smokygirl...is this one of your hangouts. I got 95 miles of AT waiting to be explored.”

“Yes, I hang out here time to time! I hope you enjoyed my party and it wasn't too weird for you... How's your little critter?? How's Momma? How's Shenandoah - you stink! I am jealous!”

“You should know who this is too!”

“Sorry, I avoid people that stink.

And so many guys try to flirt with you. I'm envious, even mad, because my youth is gone.

Besides, you had a party and I wasn't even invited.

It sounds like someone who skipped a section of the AT. Or jerbear, but I thought he was working. And our ranger acquaintance transferred to Florida and, also, had a family. Your bp-ing friend knows you better than to make those remarks. Prosecutor is off hunting. So that leaves only one person that it could be!

But I don't worry about other men. I just do my own thing whenever and however I can. Falling for you was just one of those great events that was impossible to avoid.

Hugs.”

“How's your little critter??

Sounds kinky!”

“Stickman has a big critter. Ewker's been flirting all over TT, but lately he made some passes at Smokygirl. Does he have a little critter besides a digital?”

“Did you make it to Nashville for the game? We forgot you were coming.”

“that blasted weasel has already chewed up 3 bite valves”

“Ewker's been flirting all over TT, but lately he made some passes at Smokygirl.
nowslimmer
2:01:06 PM
11/23/04

nowslimmer, have you been hijacking my erotic poems to the divine MS. Smokygirl”

“oops.

wrong critter.”

“Don't need to steal your efforts, as I have sufficient of the right words.

But Nowslimmer was King and his royally he did sing,
with a Continental flair, he left his opponents in despair.

If you ever read WinADateWithSmokyGirl, you would know that I won a date with the beautiful SmokyGirl.”