Smokys trip

“We re Planning to hike this route although it may change slightly.
We ll be camping at cosby campground late late wednesday night. Then take a shuttle to alum cave thursday morning to start the hike probably about 10am.

Backpacking thursday through sunday.
Then Sunday we ll return to cosby campground in mid afternoon to head home. Its approximately a 35-40 mile moderate hike.

More details to come shortly.”

“anyone know if the invite thingy is workin?”

“it is, because i received one.”

“Yes, the invite thing works! Unfortunately, we cannot make this one...moving my daughter into the dorm on the 19th!

Why don't you all join us for Mt. Mitchell on Labor Day weekend!”

“Labor Day, we are hiking Cat Stairs manway in the GSMNP, come get lost with us!”

“so many trips- so little time!
hey stokley -congrats and have fun

by the way this trip has changed alittle...well maybe a lot. ill update tomorrow”

“I would say, "hey -- we won't get lost !..." but I know better. Of course we'll get lost. However, I'm sure we will figure out where we are eventually.”

“heres my updated itenerary. I came up with it all by myself!

word has it captn jack and shaunna may go

stay at Elkmont Campground Wednesday night. i have 2 sites reserved in my name.
day 1: start at Meigs Creek traihead. take Lumber Ridge to West Prong to campsite 18. 9 1/2 miles
day 2: Bote Mt. Trail to AT to Derrick Knob Shelter. 12 miles
day 3: Greenbrier Ridge Trail to Middle Prong Trail to Panther Creek to James Creek to campsite 27. 9 miles
......day 4: hike out to Elkmont. 3 miles”

“28 miles on day 3??!!!...holy crap...if the short notice didn't do me in, that sure would have...have fun, should be a beautiful hike...we were just there last month”

“Is "captn jack" "Baltimore Jack?"”

“captn jack is meangreen”

“Angie was the first thing stopping my from considering this trip...a 28 mile day is the coup de gras.”

“Whats a matter, you guys arent 'burly' enough for a 28 mile day??
Ha ha kidding-
that should read 33 total miles for the trip!

day 3 should read campsite #27...9 miles

yee haw!”

“yeah captn jack's from Indy

Hows things down in suny florida NSlimmer?”

“Well I planned to go but now that day 3 only 9 miles I guess I'll stay home.

No I have a Backpacking Trip planned for the Venture Crew on the 20th for the Deam.

Like to see you guys maybe a trip this winter. If you guys go to Hoosier Outdoor Experience Days look me up at the LNT Booth I hope to work it this year.

Have fun.”

“hey coyote
you better brush up on your 'peanut buttering' skills for the LNT booth :-)
if you're not familiar with that- look it up and prepare to be grossed out! ha ha. The guy manning the booth last year told us about it!

Catch ya later this year!”

“Me, Crash/dr. Evil- see picture, Captn Jack, and ShaUna drove down to the smoky mountain np arriving laaaaate. we crashed at Elkmont campground for the night. Next mornin we met the shuttle driver and parked the party van. He drove us to Meigs creek and shared a lot of tourist knowledge about the park. Did you know the gsmnp has the largest synchronized Firefly population in the world! He siad it happens in june.
-well we cooked up some breakfast and coffee at the trailhead. then started out.
after taking only a few steps I saw a hornet swoop down in front of me like a fighterjet to attack a Kahtidid. Guess who won that engagement. see the picks to find out.

We continued on past creeks and some small water falls. me and crash were up ahead and saw a tall skinny dear on the trail with floppy ears and a longer than normal white tail . we thought we spooked it only to see it continue walkin on the trial ahead of us for about a quarter mile. we got within about 150 feet of it each time before it would make distance agian. Crash and I stopped at the Tremont dormatory to take a break and wait for Captn Jack and ShaUna. When they arrived ShaUna needed to get some treatment for a little spill she took on the trail. No big deal, shes tough as nails! Before long we made it to the first nights camp, 18. It was very large and had a bear bag hanging pully system , as all the campsites did. and it had a very nice creek running through it. We then got some rain and took off our shirts and enjoyed it for a few before it stopped. After examining Captn Jack and ShaUna's tatoos-we had some dinner and drinks and gabbin, we hung our packs and turned in early.

Plans for the next morning were to get an early start. But the sunrise didnt cooperate and it was still dark out at 7! The bear cable system is not Mouse proof! A mouse climbed the cables and got into my pack to chew through Captn Jacks dry bag and get to my food bag. Luckily it wasnt real hungry and only chewed on a few items. No big deal, Im a trooper. After eating we hit the trail. We knew we had a hard day ahead of us and it was grueling. We hiked the Bote mtn trail up to the AT...6 miles up up up. We took a big break at Spence shelter-half way for the day. The shelter is accessible despite it being closed for aggressive bear activity. We then continued on the AT for a few more miles. I was ahead of the others and saw a very large black bear on the trail. He was about 250 feet up the trail when he heard my hiking sticks hit a rock and turned tail to run away! It had a big old butt. The trail continued to be a brutal part of the hike and it was getting dark before we made it to the next camp/shelter. At one point Crash fell down and laid on his back in the middle of the trail while others hiked around him! see picture. We passed over Rocky Top on this leg of the hike, over 5000 ft. Due to the darkness and exhaustion we had to stop and bivuac camp before getting to the Derrick Knob shelter.

The next morning we found out we were about an hour from the shelter. But it wasnt too bad that we didnt make the shelter because it turned out to have about 14 people staying and camping there that night! We stopped there to water up and discuss the days route. We decided to not change the days route and hit the trail. It was an easier days hike for the most part and we saw a very nice and large water fall off one of the trails. We had a creek crossing that was a little tricky and I think ShaUna and Crash got their feet wet. No big deal, they are hardcore! The trail started to ascend again....for a long time. It was getting to be a very difficult climb agian, when we then hit our final junction before camp. Then it turned gentle agian, thank the gods. We were nearing campsite 27 when I heard growling coming from the woods next to the trail! I was alone and started making noise, heard the bear run off in the woods, stop, and growl agian. I made more noise and hiked as fast as I could past that stretch. We made camp at # 27, had dinner and drinks. Captn Jack makes a mean Baccardi 151 drink-if you hike with him ask him for a hit!

The next day we were a bit relieved we only had 3 miles to hike out. When we returned to the party van we were greeted by 2 CO's that approached us. They were looking for a teenager that hadnt returned from his hike. Could that solo tent have been his back at campsite 27? We told them about it seeming abandoned to us. Hopefully he turned up ok. We got cleaned up and changed and hit Gatlinburg. Smoky's bar and grill, rite by the woods entrance, had great food. We then hit the long road back home. Next time it will be 5-6 mile days in the Smokys vs 10!

Peace”

“Pictures

http://community.webshots.com/album/580772898DytiWw?start=0”

“awesome trip report.. :)... and nice picture collection.

glad you all enjoyed the route.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2590471100105334825NThIfB

[no harm intended!] Dick Cheney?”

“lol!
I see the resemblance now!”