Smokies-Trip Report-What a trip!

“What a great time I had meeting all of you. I didn't let the rain get me down, I just sang every rain related song I could think of when I got a bit ahead of katibug and debbied. Even scared off some deer on the trail! After giving up on over run streams on the Settler's trail, we back tracked out to Cosby. Good move, since we decided the best thing to do was get more good grub at the Front Porch on the way out of town, and we got back to Nashville around 10pm. Monday was meant as a day off anyway- to dry tents, wash mud out of clothing and thoroughly air dry those squishy boots!! Hope to see you all again on the trail.”

“Now really, I mean it! Perhaps it was the heat, maybe the humidity, or just wanting to dump that load for a bit. The Falls were a great break though. But sneaky bears? Ones that creep up behind you? And grab your pack? Sounds a bit tall tailish to me....”

“Its not tall tailish really. Black bears are not normally aggressive, but they are bears. They are known to bluff charge to try and get your packs. Bears can be pretty sneaky. I believe HPM was telling me that one even broke into a car in the Smokies.. correct me if I am wrong.”

“Correct.
At least one bear in the Smokies has learned to bash car windows.

The park is now in the process of installing bear boxes in the car campgrounds. Elkmont has them.”

“Opie provided most of the bear protection at 34, as he kept barking like a dog inot the evening rain. Makes me wonder what was going on over there!”

“Doggystyle?...







*god...i have to see chelle next weekend..and she's gonna kill me!*”

“LMAO Opie!”

“I agree with Smokygirl and Nowslimmer. Bears equate packs with food. Whenever possible, packs need to be hung on the bear wires while in the backcountry. Also, since your backpack is your "lifeline" it is not a good idea to "drop it" any time while on trail. Going for a hike in the backcountry is different than going for a walk in a park in town!

Not trying to be critical, just being informative. :)”

“"Going for a hike in the backcountry is different than going for a walk in a park in town!"


Yeah, if ya go for a walk in town and don't watch it, a bum will steal your #&%!$.”

“While hiking from Bearwallow Bald to High Rocks and bak we hung out packs from a high branch, we thought we might be overdoing it - but you never know.”

“Thanks for sharing and the caring. That's what I like about
the outdoor enthusiast!”

“It depends on the situation. It probably wasn't the best idea at that particular time. But there are several situations/locations where it isn't a big deal at all.”

“

At least one bear in the Smokies has learned to bash car windows. ... humanpackmule

At the Sugarland Visitors' Center they once displayed pictures of a car which a bear had opened by digging his claws into the roof and peeling back the steel until he could enter the vehicle. Today's cars would be easy for a bear to enter. So to keep bears from seeing things in my car, I spread a tarp over the entire inside of the car. (Also, I set mouse traps for the little ones.)

With regard to my remark about the packs: It was really not a big issue, since there was heavy traffic along the trail. So leaving the packs, instead of carrying them up and down a steep trail to the falls, was just a calculated risk. I really don't fault anyone. I just like to make noise sometimes. Peace!”

“Spence Field Shelter is closed. A bp'er left his pack outside the shelter for a minute. Immediately a bear was looking at it. They tried to chase the bear away. It left, but with the pack, naturally.

The man hiked down to the Ranger Station at Cades Cove and reported the incident. He was mad and wanted the Park Service to do something, since his wallet, credit cards, cell phone, etc. were in the pack. The Rangers did do something. They gave the man a ticket for not hanging the pack on the wires. Then they closed the shelter. It may be closed for the rest of the season!(?)”

“Beautiful. I hope that bear buys stuff on the internet with that guy's cards.”

“What's in your wallet?”

“usually my sons hand”

“Take some personal responsibility mr. angry hiker dude. What is the park ranger gonna do - go get your pack?”

“Thanks for the info. Weekend after next I will be at that shelter for a rest stop. I'm doing Lakeshore to Eagle Ck to the AT at Spence and onto Gregory Bald and then back to Fontanna to complete the loop. The 4 miles from 97 to Spence will be killer and that will be a natural stopping place. I'll make sure everyone on the trip is aware of bear possibilities.”

“Great trip report. Some day I hope to make it down to the Smokies.”