GSMNP900 – Page 2 – An Outdoor Life

April 23, 2023April 23, 2023

Spring in the Smokies, adopting dogs, running

Kassandra visited last weekend and we had an excellent time seeing all the sights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, SkyLift Park, breakfast at 5 Oaks Farm, the knife shop and Harrisburg Covered Bridge.

An added bonus, she got to meet Chet, my adopted pup.

Getting Chet was a bit of an adjustment. I’ve been wanting a third dog for a year and now that I have the perfect house with a yard, I couldn’t wait any longer when the perfect black lab mix appeared at the Sevier County Humane Society where I walk shelter dogs on the weekend.

Chet has been here almost two weeks and all his puppy traits are still on display: puppy belly, chasing Goldie around the house, endless energy and squishy skin. I love him.

The trees and flowers are all in bloom and it is gorgeous here. The down side, Winnie-dog is itching and scratching like crazy, poor girl.

Now it’s time to get back to what I do: running, training, signing up for races. It’s a little late for the race coming next weekend but I’m still going to the UROCK race. It will be great fun to see the Blue Ridge Parkway and explore the south a bit. Once I’m back it’s getting ready for summer racing.

The weather has been perfect in the 60s and 70s. We had a few 80 degree days but mostly 60s and in the high 40s in the morning. I’m heading out on a hike in the park this morning to check off a few more miles on my 900 miles in GSMNP challenge. Hopefully we will not run into any bears.

November 1, 2022July 28, 2024

Gatlinburg to Townsend in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Yesterday I took the dogs on a drive through Great Smoky Mountains National Park. My mission: to just drive and enjoy the landscape. This is the first time since moving here that I went into the park with the sole focus of just taking in the beauty instead of searching for a trailhead and hiking to a summit.

It was a perfect day because it was cloudy and raining – and a Monday! Traffic was light and the sun came out a few times. Once in the park I decided to follow the signs to Townsend.

With the rain, the multicolored leaves were on prime display.

Dogs are not allowed on trails in the park but they can be in the car and get out along the roadside. We got out of the car a few times to sniff and take some pictures.

We arrived in Townsend and discovered that it has more open land and less stores/attraction than Gatlinburg. It is definitely the quiet side of the park. We drove through town, turned around and came home. The only wildlife we saw was a few turkeys on the side of the road.

While I didn’t check off any trails on the GSMNP900 list, I became more familiar with the roads and place names like Metcalf Bottoms. I really did feel like I was in the middle of a wilderness. The trailheads along the way had very little cars. What a peaceful beautiful place to recreate.

September 17, 2022September 17, 2022

Mount LeConte Rainbow Bull Head Loop

My first long hike and my destination 6,593 feet.

I was a bit nervous hiking solo for my first 4,000 footer in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park but the first part of Rainbow had a few people. I ran when I could and hiked fast. I didn’t know for sure that I would make it to the top, and knew I would turn back if I didn’t feel safe or just wasn’t feeling it.

For most of the 7 miles up I was on the lookout for bear. I had a Plan B if I encountered one: turn around.

The trail was alternatively rocky/roots and beautifully maintained. About two miles in I came to a clearing with views. Then back into the wood and the rainbow waterfall; it was very pretty. A few people had stopped for a break.

I kept going.

I didn’t see anyone for an hour when I ran into a man coming down the trail. He said the summit was great but recommended an additional .7 miles past the summit for views. I considered it.

As I continued I didn’t see anyone until the Alum Cave trail junction.

At the junction more people were hiking toward the lodge and I felt better being around people. I was trying to figure out where the summit was when a man showed us on his phone that it was a bit longer up the trail.

I took the obligatory lodge photo and kept going. A talked to a man from Greenville, SC that said he is working on his “highest point in each state” goal. I told him I was from NH and just moved here. He told me about his hike to Mount Washington via Tuckerman Ravine. We got to the real peak and he took this picture of me and continued on to the better views.

I turned back and headed to Bull Head. I saw three hikers coming up the trail and then no one for an hour. I ran as much as I could. I felt like this was a very unpopular trail. And it was so quiet. Then as I got to a more open part of the trail, and more rocky, I saw people ahead. I caught up to them and was so happy to see them. They were doing the loop too. I kept going and decided at that moment that this is my favorite trail so far. I could see more and the landscape was magical, despite the burned trees from the 2016 fire.

The rocky trail reminded me a bit of Tucson’s trails. Then the trail meandered back into the woods and in another 40 minutes I was back at my car.

Perfect weather. No bears. Felt strong. Now I’m chilling out with compression socks and a good lunch. 14 miles closer to 900 miles.

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022

Training for Something

Last week I ran 28 miles. I’m so glad to back on the running-track. Three days of trail running and my long run on Saturday was on the road.

Sunday was a trail run on tired legs getting some miles done for the GSMNP 900.

I was on the Baskins Creek Trail and Trillium Gap Trail.

I was nervous being on the trail and running into bears.

I did run into two deer and later heard some rustling off the trail. Humidity was 98% and the trail was steeper than how I interpreted the map. Next time I will read the trail description before heading out.

I wandered around the Rainbow Trail area and found this cool hiker bridge:

I made it home alive and will be a bit more prepared next time. It is going to be so fun getting to know the national park.

Next week is 30-34 miles. I hope to discover more trails and start feeling strong.

September 2, 2022July 28, 2024

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 900 Miles – New Goal

Since I can’t work on my NH48 4,000 footer Grid, I’ll work on this:

I saw the bumper sticker today and did a little Googl’ing – I’m excited for this new hiking goal.

It’s a big park and it will give me some great hikes and trail runs to do this year.

I downloaded the data to a Google Sheet: I’m going to start tomorrow.

Here are some great articles about the 900 mile challenge:

Why you should do it. Danny Bernstein: Because the trails intersect and many trails start from other trails and not from a trailhead, it’s the most complicated hiking challenge I’ve done. Physically it’s not difficult. The Smokies’ trails are so well-maintained and marked that I can get really spoiled. Mile for mile, Smokies trails are easier than those in the surrounding national forests. But like any trail challenge or in life, success doesn’t depend just on physical strength or stamina. Hiking all the trails in the Smokies is much more about perseverance, organization, and keeping your eye on the goal.

Or do it in 30 days like Nancy East: Chasing the Smokies Moon: An audacious 948-mile hike–fueled by love, loss, laughter, and lunacy is a thought-provoking memoir. If you like true-life feats, sentimental contemplations, and stepping outside of comfort zones.

Yes, ma’am I love all these things.