GSMNP This Weekend?

“I was going to do this this past weekend, but the road was closed due to snow. Hopefully we will have much better weather this weekend. Anyone want to join me?

Welch Ridge Hazel Creek Loop (29.5 miles)

Day 1

Start at Clingmans Dome Parking Lot and take the AT 4.2 miles till the Welch Ridge Trailhead. Take Welch Ridge 7.3 miles to the Cold Springs Gap Trailhead, taking time to take the 0.6 mile round trip to High Rocks. Take Cold Spring Gap Trail 3.5 miles to Hazel Creek Trail. Follow Hazel Creek Trail for 1.5 miles until you reach CS#82. ( 17.1 miles)

Day 2

Take Hazel Creek Trail 6.5 miles until it intersects with the Welch Ridge Trail. Follow the Welch Ridge Trail 1.7 miles back the AT. Follow the AT back 4.5 miles to Clingmans Dome Parking Lot. (12.4 miles)”

“Whats the elevation gain/loss like for this one?”

“see the bone valley trip thread and report me and Towndawg did.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/53356,-1.php

profiles and mileages jumbled somewhere near the end i think”

“The first day if pretty much all downhill, the second day is pretty much all uphill.


Day 1

Start at Clingmans Dome Parking Lot and take the AT 4.2 miles till the Welch Ridge Trailhead. (All downhill -1200 ft)

Take Welch Ridge 7.3 miles to the Cold Springs Gap Trailhead, taking time to take the 0.6 mile round trip to High Rocks. (rolling downhill -900 ft)

Take Cold Spring Gap Trail 3.5 miles to Hazel Creek Trail. (steep downhill -2000 ft)

Follow Hazel Creek Trail for 1.5 miles until you reach CS#82. (gradual up +300 ft)

Total ( 17.1 miles) (-3800ft)

Day 2

Take Hazel Creek Trail 6.5 miles until it intersects with the Welch Ridge Trail. (moderate up +2200 ft)

Follow the Welch Ridge Trail 1.7 miles back the AT. (gradual up +400 ft)

Follow the AT back 4.5 miles to Clingmans Dome Parking Lot. (moderate up +1200

Total (12.4 miles) (+3800ft)”

“How long does it take for you to get there? Its about 5 1/2 hours for me which is a long drive for an overnight trip.”

“If you get back on line I would like to do this trip. I would probably drive up friday night and stay at smokemont to make it to clingmans dome sat morning. After the trip I wanted to do another loop. I think I would park at newfound gap and stay at icewater spring, then hike up to Mt leconte. Then back down alum cave trail and back newfound gap.”

“Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, I was doing a loop in Savage Gulf.

You will have to call and get reservations for Icewater and it may not be easy this time of year. The number is 1-865-436-1231, be prepared to try a few times before you get through.

It's about a 3 hour drive for me to get to Newfound Gap, unless there is a bear sighting in which traffic can get really backed up.

I hurt something in my foot this past trip, the side is red and swollen,but it hurts on the bottom/arch area, and I could barely limp the 17 miles back to my truck today. I hope this doesn't keep me from doing this trip. I will wait and see how it feels tomorrow and if it feels OK am going to try and run on it on Thursday. If for some reason it doesn't do well, I will let you know.

Just so you know, there is one creek crossing on Cold Spring Gap Trail near the end at the Hazel Creek Trail junction, and multiple crossings on the upper portion of Hazel Creek. None of these are listed as potentially dangerous in the Smokies Guide and most hopefully can be rock hopped. The reason I say that is that if you are going on for more nights, trowing a extra pair or two of socks in the car where you can retrieve them when you pass Clingmans again might be a good idea.”

“I have reduced my pack weight with different gear since the Aptril trip. So with that and if you have a sore foot, maybe I have a small chance of keeping up with you.”

“How late are you allowed to get to smokemont? It will be late friday night when I get there.”

“Nemster, I am more and more convinced that my foot is broken as it is rather purple and swollen. I have made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor next week to get it x-rayed. I am going to postpone this trip until the spring. I apologize for any inconvenience, I don't think I have ever bailed on a trip before, much less on my own trip, but I just don't think there is any way I could hope to make it in this condition. It is a miracle I was able to do the last 25 miles of the last trip on it.”

“Ok.....how did you mess your foot up?

Does anyone else want to go?”

“Hope your foot gets better, they can be aggravating. I hurt mine in the Sierras in Aug. and I can still feel it when I turn it certain ways.”

“I hurt it on the rocks in Savage Gulf, but I am not exactly sure when. I noticed it was hurting about mile 13 but blamed it on the rocks and poor cushioning of my Inov8's. It kept hurting worse the longer I hiked and by mile 20 it was hurting really bad.

I didn't look at it closely that night, but it continued to hurt the next day but I managed to hike the 16-17 miles out. When I got home and looked at it closer it was black and blue and swollen on the side. Today it isn't any better in fact it looks and feels worse than yesterday. It feels fine until I put weight on it.”

“I know the feeling eagleJ. I tore three ligaments in my left (other) ankle about three years ago and it has never quite been as good as before.”

“Hopefully you arent the stubborn type to keep using it before you get it checked out.”

“Putting up alot of high milage days aren't you? Quinton, Greg, and I hiked the AT section from Iron Mtn. Gap to 19E this weekend. Had alot of ice, was it the same on your hike? Great area understand why it is one of your favorites.”

“I think I just might be able to keep up with Mocs if he has a broken foot.....my ONLY chance.”

“I always picture a rooster tail of leaves and debris as he hikes down the trail.”

“I probably am that stubborn type, but I did the right thing and canceled the trip this weekend, I am not running on it (like I could anyways), the only thing I am doing is walking (hobbling) on it.

Yeah I have been trying to up the mileage that I have been doing, particularly on solo trips. I hate sitting around camp by myself. My highest mileage day was actually on a trip with 32oz when we did 29 miles on the AT, but I have done a few 26-27 mile days down here in North Carolina/Georgia.

The conditions in Savage Gulf were perfect it was about 55-60* in the day and around freezing at night, but Savage Gulf is only about 2100 feet. I was originally going to do this trip that weekend with JimH, but he had to bail and then they closed Newfound Gap Road because of the snow and I couldn't get up there. I had a few other trips planned in the park, but one required the use of CS#35 (closed due to bear activity) or had major creek fords, that I felt like might be dangerous with all the rain (and the snow melt) we have had, especially alone.

Roan Highlands is my absolute favorite area on the AT. How were your views? If you started at Iron Mountain Gap you had to do the butt kicker of a climb up Roan. That climb isnt for the faint of heart!

And I am not that fast, I just hike long days.”

“That the correct term for the climb up Roan. Especially at the end of the day. It rained all Fri. turned to snow for Sat. and Sun. so we had 360 deg views of gray. The sun came out about 4 miles before getting to our car. There was at least 40 or 50 people at Overmountain Shltr. Sat nite.”

“Wow! Sorry you missed the best views, but I am sure it was pretty in the snow too.”

“HPM's headed to Roan early tomorrow morning.”