Some Nutcraker Photos

“I had a very good time on my hike. I only wish I'd had some company in camp - well, maybe next year. I saw a few day hikers and later met one hiker who'd come from the south on the AT. There were big bear tracks on the snow, and I'm sure I could hear the sound of a bear grunt and thrash in the bushes. There were no storms, but beautiful skies and up to 2.5 feet of snow from the storm that passed though the week before my arrival to the GSMNP. Temperatures hovered around 30 most of the time. I passed up CS 23, as I saw a sign that indicated no camping, later realizing that it was a sign for no camp fire. That's was alright though as I was feeling strong enough to push on up Goshen. So, I was a day ahead of schedule, but dark, and I ended up packing down snow and bivying on the trail less than .1 mile from the Double Springs Gap Shelter, playing it safe as to how close the shelter was. The next morning I went to the shelter. I got up from the shelter the next morning, but it was too late a start. I didn't get to the dome until 5 PM, and coming down I'm pretty sure the drifts were more than 2.5 feet. It would have been better to ski it. I skipped over Mount Collins and went down to the Clingman road to exit because of cold toes and the punishment to my toes of the previous days step kicking up snow banks. I bivied next to the road. I woke up early, cooked and sorted. A snow plow crew came and cleared the road. I got a ride back down the rest of the way to 441. A pretty ranger set me up to go back to the starting trail head. Next year I'll do better, I tell myself. I'll finish, I say. I'll take my plastic winter boots and some snow shoes. As it is, I only did about half of what I wanted to do, but I'm looking forward to next year when I'll try again :)



The Little River on the left of the trail near the hike start


The Little River Trail follows the river upstream


Cascades fall from higher ground on the right



The cascade flows rapidly to The Little River



Water flowing from the cascade falling into the river



The water flows under a small foot bridge which is a part of The Little River Trail






Some of the creeks are easy to cross, but just watch for ice in winter



Boulders heavily dot the trail before a stream crossing


















Rough Creek campsite is GSMNP campsite 24.



Ready to hoist my covered pack, for bear precautions



The park service says to make sure the line is secure.



Pretty trail side



Approaching an attractive, picturesque bridge



Water moving over rocks and under the bridge



A view from under the bridge



Another view from under the bridge



Looking down the trail from a-top the bridge



Plenty of cold water to filter or boil



The water comes together



Steep but fun hiking on Goshen Prong, with hanging ice of the left side bluff






Goshen Prong Trail and the first encounter with wide-spread snow on the hike






The Goshen Prong Trail Post. The trail turns back more to the south and becomes more steep - heading to the AT



Headed up Goshen Prong



A little snow for the strapons



Goshen prong Trail, now with more snow



Goshen Prong Trail & AT junction, at night



Goshen Prong Trail post at the AT junction, in the morning



Snowy Trail



Blue sun light on the AT's snow



Blue snow piles on the AT



Snowy brush and bush on the AT



AT snows, sometimes deep



The Double Springs Gap Shelter



The shelter's door hinges are off. What bear protection?



Double Springs luxury



Double Springs Gap Shelter rat and mouse protection - hang 'em high



Looking at the outhouse



Looking down into Double Springs Gap Shelter's spring gully, a scurry down into it as water is sometimes just a trickle.



The view out over Double Springs Gap's water source


Heavy snows on the branches of trees from the previous snow storm



Steps though snow, at times



Snacks and pictures on an AT approach to Clingman's Dome



AT view on Clingman's Dome approach



Above the clouds


Feel the cold


Sunset at Clingman's Dome - temperature 15 degrees F with a wind of about 20 MPH”

“Precision, you just made my whole day, man. Those pics are beautiful. Wow, I sure wish I could live that close to the AT that I could hike it every weekend. All I can say is WOW! Thanks for great pictures.........GREAT!”

“So, is southern snow brown, leafy and rocky? Nice pictures. I'm guessing the snow is behind all those red dots:)”

“We get snow here, but only every few years, and then it's just about an inch or so. I have some pics of a six inch snow in '83 that socked us in on the farm for three days. Had to go out three times a day and break up the stock tanks so the cows could have water to drink. It was COLD.”

“nice pics,thanks for sharing.”

“I was in just about the same places last October. Very interesting in winter. I do some winder camping, but never in the mountains before, I'm a flatlander and I'm intimidated by all the "sudden unperdictable weather" stories. I'd hike with you.”