Saturday, November 14, 2015

Fantastic Fall hikes

























This was the 18th fall for Get on Trail w Friends & Missy hike series
We started off at Sugarlands visitor center and had a nice welcome from
Superintendent Cassius Cash. Then we hiked right behind the center by cataract falls up Cove Mountain. Some climbed up about 4 miles and towards the top we had some nice views and saw some fall colors coming out.








Hike 2 we went to Steiner Bell lodge at wa-floy on 321 This inn let us park and have a tour before carpooling to greenbrier There we hiked a mile on The Old Settlers trail then at a blow down went off trail to old cemetery where Dolly Partons Great great grandfather is buried . Ed Flemming brought us old pictures of her great great grandpa from the early 1900s Then we hiked another 5 miles and passed many old walls and artifax and remains of a few cabins.






















Hike three was our longest one of 8.5 miles Elvira (Elvira restaurant ) brought us sausage and biscuits then we climbed up crooked arm trail which was steep but we stopped every now and then for pictures of pretty leaves At the top we turned left on Indian Grave gap where we had great views out ether side And we saw a young bear down below who didn't seem interested in us . Coming down mad left on rich mountain loop trail was hard on knees But we enjoyed stopping at the john Oliver cabin before,finishing our loop












Last hike took us high up on purchase knob and Sarah weeks arranged for us to be able to go into the Appalachian science center Despite the clouds we had a pretty drive close to mAggie valley and up Hemphill bald road to the center On the trail we had some rain but on our way back down catalooche divide trail it started clearing at The Swag Inn and the owners allowed us to take pictures and enjoy the wonderful views .
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Location:Smokies & ETn