Cubs & Courthouse Rock rockin good time

Driving into the parking lot of Suglarlands, we all commented (hubby jim, ellen morrar and 10 year old Gracie) "we hike a lot and never see bears!", then we looked up from parking lot and there was two sleeping in a tree.   A small mom and cub then were encouraged down and away to keep them from getting to cozy next to busiest tourist spot in park.  So that was a neat treat for us all (especially the 10 year old who was complaining of getting up @ 7 on a day off from school + it was damp/cold day)

Our group met up with our Mountain Man leader Glen Cantrell who knows all the listed and non listed trails in the Smokies.  We headed up toward Chimneys but after the big pretty overlook parking you see on your left we found a pull out for quiet walkway and parked there.   Next we walked back down road about 200 yards and crossed over and headed into the woods..  You can kinda see that it was an old road bed (flat wide) and Glen said that was the old highway 71.   We then found a trail and headed up and around thru area where he mentioned corn fields etc used to be.  Sure enough little later before crossing a creek we spotted an old tub w/ bush growing right out from it.

Due to heavy rains we came up another way but were delighted to see that  one of the Brown Book (hikers bible many say) authors Doris Gove and her buddy Jenny and grandson Andrew came in on another side trail (little more direct but more rock hopping) to head up to Court House Rock.  After climbing up thru Rhododendrum thicket there is a side trail on left to take to see the rock but we went straight to first see Lovers Leap and he was a pretty area w/ big rock and nice view back down over Little River and across to Gatlinburg

   We backtracked a little to find that turn and headed upward and then kept lookin for carins (little rock statues folks put to show you where to turn) and headed down to see a beautiful waterfall that Glen called Quillams falls.   The family had a house and barn up on the side of the mountain in early 1900's.

 Then back to the trail we went up further and it was hard to spot but there was a small carin and rock kinda in shape of arrow that was next to a grown over trail and we headed up to see the "famous Court House Rock" and it was impressive! Very misty up there so we didnt climb around on it too much but quite an interesting formation to see!

I know more folks want to go including some of my Biggest Winner Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon crew so I'll work on another date to hook up with some hike legends like Glen and Doris and Hit the Trail again! 

Fontana a Fit and Fun Destination

I always love heading over to Fontana, as it is a great close get a way with lots of fitness options.  Fontana helps sponsor Get on Trails for Friends of the Smokies and also has helped out at the Hope Auction for Covenant Health.  So twice a year I take folks on a fit fun trip.  A few of us bikers headed up the  backside (steep) of Foothills parkway and along the straight part of 129 for 20 miles then hopped in our cars.  We drove the "Dragon" which was sooo pretty and not too many fast motorcycles during the week. At Deals Gap we turn left towards Fontana and then bike along the pretty pretty 28 for 10 miles.   At fontana we stayed in the Lodge and ate at Mountain Bistro   The food is always superb and the pastry chef even whipped up a yummy cake for Sharon Spezia's birthday.   We had 14 of us inluding a "thru AT hiker" johnny who told us about his adventures on the Appalachian Trail.    Day 2 we drove the 2 miles over the Marina and rode Ms HAzel over to EagleCreek area to hike up Lost Cove (straight up) to AT.  There we turned left to off trail to Shuck STack Tower.  You have got to go to That Tower some day as it has 360 gorgeous views.   Then we headed down AT to marina while some went onto Twenty Mile ranger station. 

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