An Outdoor Life – Page 14 – A blog about running, hiking, dogs and seeing the world

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.

August 30, 2022July 28, 2024

Hiking, Running and Living in the Smokies

I have officially fallen in love with this place.

I just got back from walking Goldie up the hill from my new apartment. Up Up Up we go and I’m almost even with the Gatlinburg Space Needle. And it is at this point that I realize, I love this place.

I got here in a weird, wacky, way. I never would’ve imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be here, not in a million year. But somehow, magically, leaving and arriving all worked out. I am living in a beautiful mountain town, again….finally.

My dogs are settled in and I have stopped worrying about them when I leave each morning to go to work or on a run.

I am running and hiking and doing all the things that make me happy. I’m training for next year’s Leadville and feel like I’m on track.

One of my go-to trail runs close to my house.

I live two miles from the entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park. It will take me 10 minutes to drive to a trailhead to a 4,000 footer.

The people here are fun, engaging and kind.

I got very, very lucky. Big time.

This weekend I discovered there is an REI in Pigeon Forge. I could only buy online when I lived in NH. I walked through the store thinking of all the possibilities; and seeing all the winter coats, longing for winter. I bought maps and guidebooks and Nuun electrolytes.

That is my update. My next post will be about Mount LeConte. Thanks for reading.

August 7, 2022August 7, 2022

Trail Running in Gatlinburg

I’m finally getting a bit more acclimated to the humidity and decided it was time to start running again.

The last three months I haven’t been running. I think I was burned out from running and life. I wasn’t excited about running. It’s amazing how a change of scenery can get you fired up again!

Now that I’m living in a mountain town and there are trails all around me – I’m excited to run Gatlinburg.

This week started with some runs from the cabin which means all downhill then all uphill to get back. It was challenging; these roads are steep. I feel like I’m building up my legs again and that feels good.

Saturday and Sunday I drove to the Gatlinburg Trailhead parking and ran to Sugarlands Visitor Center.

On Saturday, the goal of the run was to not die. The Gatlinburg Trail follows the river the entire way and is completely in the trees so no sun, which was nice. I took a bunch of side paths and meandered around the visitor center and then headed back to my car: uneventful. I ran 4 miles.

On Sunday I wore my running pack with a bladder so I could run a little farther. About a mile in, a couple warned me a big bear just crossed the trail ahead. A second person said it moved off the trail and I should be good.

I continued on and ran to the Cove Mountain trailhead. I remembered it from yesterday and wanted to try run/hiking it. The summit is 8 miles away but my plan was to explore the trail a little at a time. I would turn around at mile 3.

Then at mile 2.5 I stumped upon a bear on the trail. It wasn’t moving, it just looked at me. I instantly turned around and looked back at him a few times. Each time he was looking at me and wasn’t moving off the trail, so I headed back down. I passed a family going up and as I passed them going down I whispered to the dad that there was a bear on the trail ahead, and he yelled to his family ‘bear ahead’, LOL. They turned around too. Now that I look at the map from my run, I bet it was the same bear.

I ran back to my car without any more bear incidents and was happy to have a 15 mile week. I just need to keep the momentum and stay motivated to run. I have 23 weeks until the Houston Marathon but hope to do a few races leading up to it.

It’s taken a few weeks to get situated and get back to training after moving here. I’m getting more used to seeing bears and driving these windy, steep mountain roads.