Get on Trail Thomas Divide Newton Bald to smokemont

Our 4th hike of our GEt on Trail w/ Friends & Missy 2011 Fall Series was filled with vivid color and great vistas.    Rocky Top Tours met us at Smokemont Campground (close to Oconoluftee visitor center) and we headed back up Newfound Gap Road to trailhead to Thomas Divide.   We hiked up and down along a pretty area that often ran across the top of a ridge where you could see out both sides.  Our extreme hike crew met us as they hiked in on Kenati Fork trail 5 miles then headed up to where we started  then were going down to smokemont for their 15 mile hike.   The trail in some areas was rugged and narrow so we took our time and poles came in handy.   We came to the intersection to Newton Bald area and headed to the campsite 52 where we ate our lunch.   Unlike some sites that are more in the woods this one had great views too.  The last 5 miles down Newton Bald were very steep going down and you had to be careful of footing as leaves were covering the rocks and roots. But the color was getting more and more vivid.  We read a little before the hike how the trail was named after William Thomas was one of the only white men to be named a cherokee chief.  He was a self educated attorney who learned the cherokee language and he stood up for their rights in Washington.   He led soldiers including native americans in fighting in the Civil war on the confederate side and their strength and bravery are legendary.    The area close to where we hiked was the site of one of the skirmishes in the Civil War as up along the Thomas Divide was  what was called "the last shot of the civil war".  Historians said if not for Thomas the Easter band of Cherokee Nation might not be in existence.  He lived from 1805-1893 and is buried close to Waynesville NC.

 Fun ride along River Walk in Chattanooga
8 miles along river and winds around downtown and waterfront all the way to Chickamauga Dam

Scenic but not a trail where you can ride fast. There are lots of twists and turns around the city then it gets easier.   But it is well used by joggers, and bikers.   Follow the blue railing as there are a few spots where other trails turn off this main trail.

"if these walls could talk" on the Old Settlers Trail 

Our Get on Trail 2n Oct hike split up the group where one went in along Redwine creek and ended up 6.5 miles later close to McCarter Barn. The 2nd  group went in at McCarter Barn and hiked past Redwine to Steiner Bell man way for 9 miler.  We arranged some "key swapping" before hand to make it work. But both groups got to see a dozen old chimneys, walls, and glimpse into what used to be an active community.  And we all commented that we are glad that hikers are aware that while it is great to look it, it is not okay to take out any artifax from the Park.  That would ruin this historic hike for others for years to come.   The McCarter Barn area is close to a little red radio building (across street) and you can park 4-6 cars along the highway off the road but don't block the gate.  Then Redwine area is close to Bent Creek where you can put a few cars across the street on side of road but need a knowledgable guide to help you find the manway which leads to Old Settlers Trail   

Great Hike for Young, Old, Beginners @ Bud Ogle Nature Trail

Our first hike for 2011 Get on Trails w/ Friends and Missy took 60plus folks up to Mynatt park (up off beginning of Motor Nature Trail).  There we hit the Twin Creeks trail that is a pretty 1.7 mile trail across little creeks and rock walls to Twin Creeks Science Center.  At that juncture you keep going on the trail a quarter mile and you come to junction with nature trail (straight) or left up to the Noah "Bud" Ogle farm site.   We went that way and enjoyed former GSNMP dispatcher Glen Cantrell tell us about life in this area back in mid 1900's as he used to pick apples in this area.  (hence the name Cherry Orchard rd etc)
A preserved cabin and barn can be seen and up by parking area you can pay 50 Cents for a nice little brochure with 12 "sites" to see along a nature trail that leaves the area and makes a loop back to twin creeks trail.   Park Volunteer Jim Burbank took about 15 of us on this extra one mile loop and both a 8 year old (max) to our 70 + folks enjoyed the stops along the way to see a still standing "tub" mill w/ horizonal water wheel, rock piles from old "weaner" cabin where younger adults lived close enough to their parents to help with chores but far away enough to have their "own space" too.

There is some parking along the road (motor nature trail/cherry orchard) to park at the bud ogle place and then do this one mile hike.   Or you can start at mynatt park and walk the 1,9 miles to the home place and add on the loop.  But it is worth the trip and great spot for an easy hike.

Tour de Cure & Club Vibes Cyclist helping others

Fall is a great time to not only hike but also to enjoy East Tenn on your bike.  Tour de Cure was a great ride in Monore/Loudon county where Rotary and other sponsors help Boys and Girls Club and Habitat in that area. www.tourdecure.com and check out the routes as the scenery was great.   Then Club Vibes is always looking for more folks to help bring a tandem, donate, or volunteer to be a Pilot.   They meet once or twice a month and Sue Buckly (pres of smoky mountain wheelman and visually impaired herself) help get other blind riders there and pair them with seeing cyclist to allow all to have a great time outdoors. www.club-vibes.org      To check out list of great routes and rides this fall a good site is www.smwbike.org