GSMNP 2010 Monday and Tuesday

Monday, September 20 - Andrew's Bald

We did this hike last year, but since we enjoyed it so much last year and we knew it had a steep mile on it so we could continue to warm our legs up for LeConte, we decided to do it again. And you can't go wrong on this trail - it's an awesome spot to eat lunch. We did not take as many pictures this year as we have a lot of good ones form this hike last year if you want to check them out.


View from Clingman's Dome Parking Lot:Starting on the Forney ridge Trail to Andrew's Bald:

Junction of Forney Creek and Forney Ridge trails, not far to the Bald:

Andrew's Bald:

After a nice lunch and semi-nap, we started back the uphill top the car:

At the end of the one mile 700 foot climb
Tuesday, September 21 - Resting and Planning for LeConte

We choose to rest today and prepare for our big hike up to LeConte on Wednesday. We called around to figure out some information on the five trails that go upto LeConte to determine the route we would go. Alum Cave was the shortest trail but the steepest too climbing over 2,600 feet in 5 miles. It also has several foot log bridges with handrails on one side and a steep section at the top that if you fell from you would plummet to your death. There was a cable that you could hold onto on this section on the right going up (which would mean left coming down). We had wanted to go up the Alum Cave Trail, but having a slight fear of heights and after several dicussions with rangers and LeConte staff about the handrails, we decided not to go that way. We opted instead to go for the much longer, more gradual climb trail, the Trillium Gap Trail. This is the trail the llamas go up on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to bring laundry, trash, and supplies back and forth to the lodge.

This trail would be under 7 miles and gain 3,200 feet of so in elevation. Then, we discovered that the road to the trailhead (Roaring Fork Motor Trail) was closed and we would have to park at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead to access Trillium Gap Trail. This now made our trip 9.1 miles and over 3,800 feet to climb. But, oh well, at least we might get to see the llamas!! We packed our gear and set the alarm for 4:30 AM EST.

GSMNP 2010 Pre-Trip, Saturday, and Sunday

Week of September 11th through 17th - Prep Week

In preparation for this years Smokies trip, we took the camper out to Oak Mountain and stayed the week out there. We packed and prepped the camper for the haul and week of boon-docking to come at Mile High Campground. Boondocking means no hook-ups (electricity, water, sewer). So, we strictly rely on 6 gallon water jugs to fill up the camper water tank; 12 volt batteries to power lights, fans, certain controls, water pump, radio, TV (via an inverter which converts 12 volt dc power to 120 volt ac power); propane gas to run stove, oven, water heater, refrigerator, and heater if needed.

This year we ran a long pair of #4 cables from the 12 volt camper battery located on the tongue of the trailer to the cabinet under the dinette seat. This way we could place our extra batteries (extra 12 volt deep cycle and two six volt Trojan golf cart batteries) in the cabinet and hook everything up for boondocking without having all the batteries hooked up outside in the weather under the tongue. Of course the extra batteries increase our amp-hour capacity - thus we can run the electricity (lights, TV, fans, radio, etc.) longer in the camper without needing to recharge the batteries. When needed, we charge the batteries by running the truck and hooking up the camper battery to the car battery with a set of thick jumper cables - thus the alternator charges the batteries.

It sure was nice to stay at Oak Mountain and drive into work everyday. At night we cooked camper food and relaxed outside listening to the radio and crickets. The outdoors sure do quickly relieve stress and bring a great night of sleep. We always say we should do that more - it's not a long drive to and from work and is not too much trouble...and if anything it seems to put a little more work pep in the step!

Saturday, September 18 - Driving, Arriving, Setting Up, and Groceries

We left out Saturday morning early after dropping sweet little Amy Grace off with my parents. It sure was a nice drive up without a restless screaming baby. We were able to relax and enjoy the nice weather and views on Highway 64 around the Ocoee and through the Nantahala Forest. We had no trouble until made the final long haul up the windy mountain road (Highway 19) from Cherokee to the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the camper tires seemed to be rubbing some on the fender and the truck started burning oil and what later turned out to be steering fluid. But we got there on the last leg, set up, filled up on water and went and got groceries for the week. Our set-up on T-0 again this year with a nice view right out of the camper windows/door. Sunday, Septemebr 19 - Road Prong Trail, Campfire Cook, and XM Auburn Football

We decided today to get out and stretch our legs on a short but steep trail to test ourselves for the planned crown jewel of this years trip - hiking upto Mount LeConte for the night (Wednesday night). We choose the Road Prong Trail which climbs about 700 feet in a mile on the steepest portion of the trail. We did it in two sections - first we started out from Clingmans Dome Road off the A.T. and hiked down about a mile then back up. Then we went down to the bottom of the trail at the Chimney Tops Trail head and hiked up before turnign back down to the car. It was a good leg stretcher for sure with some nice views of old forest and multiple rock hop stream crossings.

Starting out at the top:Then straight downhill for a over a mile:

Old knarley ghosty tree:

The trail took off down through these fallen trees. We turned around here and headed back up the mountain.

After getting back to the car we drove around to the Chimney Tops Trail, where we hiked up the rest of the trail from the low side.

View down from the trail:

Nice rocky creeks in this area of the park:

Junction of Road Prong Trail and the Chimney Tops Trail:

After getting back to the truck, we went back to camp and listened to some college football on the XM Radio. That was our big purchase before this trip and well worth it...we trully enjoyed being able to listen to football and the music stations were great by the campfire everynight. We cooked some wonderful turnip greens on the fire tonight to go along with some leftover steak.