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.