Gabes Mountain/Maddron Bald/Snake Den

Hike #16 : April 19, 2014

19.5 miles

17.9 new miles
218.6 total overall miles

138.3 total miles of 800.8


Ah, Easter Sunday... what a great day for a hike! So this is my first hike based totally on tallying up some mileage toward the big 900. It's also my longest hike to date.

I hit the trail solo at 7am out of the Cosby Campground parking lot to Gabes Mountain Trail. Just a few tenths of a mile up the trail, it opens up into a powerful display of Mother Nature's destructive force. Dozens and dozens of broken and uprooted trees. Streams were literally covered by broken tree limbs and logs. A devastating sight.

The picture shows a creek crossing. I could hear the water beneath the mess of trees but couldn't even see the water. 

At about 2 miles, I came to the Hen Wallow Falls side trail. The sign said it was only .1 miles but I'm betting its a bit longer than that. It was all downhill to the falls and well worth the added distance. Its a pretty steep climb back to the trail. 

Then the trail does something unexpected. It stays virtually level with slight declines and an occasional upturn. Is this actually an easy 'walk in the woods' trail in the Smokies? For the next five miles it is. Other than the trail floor being 90% tree root, this is possibly the most pleasant lazy Sunday trail ever.

Of course, its called climbing UP a mountain so I know this easy walk won't last and at the 7 mile mark I come upon the Maddron Bald Trail junction. A left turn and up I go. The trail is a steady unrelenting uphill climb for the next 7 miles. I think I died somewhere around the tenth mile but I kept going. Anyway, about a quarter mile past the junction I came to the Albright Grove Loop trail and passed it up in favor of going the next .3 miles and start it there in order to get the full mileage of the trail. Gotta get those miles. Albright loop actually just circles around like the letter C and rejoins the trail. 

Shortly before this picture was taken, I saw my second bear on a trail. I spooked the little fellow when I got within about ten feet of him. Unfortunately, he saw me first and was gone in seconds. I did see his butt as he made his way into the brush. Hopefully I'll get a picture of the next one.

It was somewhere around the 12th or 13th mile that I actually came to Maddron Bald. Some really amazing views that I really wasn't expecting. Beautiful. 

Making it to the junction of Snake Den Ridge seemed to take forever. My Snicker Bar buzz from mile 11 was long gone and I was feeling about half past dead. Finally, at exactly 14 miles I arrived. With a left turn, it's all downhill from here. Its wet, narrow in places and rocky as crap but its DOWN hill and after the last 7 miles its a welcome sight. 

By the time I made it back to the campground, I was feeling pretty good. 19.5 miles. Wow. I may be getting the hang of this hiking thing after all. 

By the way, I hiked this trail exactly as described in Elizabeth L. Etnier's book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains.

TRAIL REVIEW

Gabes Mountain Trail - 6.6 miles

Maddron Bald Trail - 6.0 miles

Albright Grove Loop Trail - .7 mile

Snake Den Ridge Trail - 4.6 miles

2 campsites (29, 34)

For more pictures of this hike, check out the Smoky Mountain Hikertrash facebook page.

For more information on this hike and many more, visit Hiking in the Smokys.

The Boulevard

Hike #15 : April 5, 2014

Newfound Gap to AT, The Boulevard, The Jump Off, Myrtle Point, Cliff Tops, Mt. LeConte and down Alum Cave

16.6 miles
10.4 new miles
199.1 total overall miles

120.4 total miles of 800.8


This was my third hike up to LeConte but, honestly, it felt like the first.

Me and my hiking buddy Eddie set out early to hike The Boulevard Trail to Mt. LeConte. Judging by the fog and colder than cold wind when we got to Newfound Gap, things were looking a little shaky. Fortunately, when we hit the trail, the wind subsided for the most part. We hiked up the AT a little over two and a half miles where The Boulevard Trail branches off to the left. Going right would lead to Charlies Bunion.

Almost immediately after turning, we come to the junction of the Jump Off Trail. Although this is not an official trail, its well marked and easy to follow. The trail promises some excellent views but unfortunately, the fog was having none of that today. No worries. We've only just begun.

This was my first time on The Boulevard and I have to say I am very impressed. The views are non-stop on either side of the trail and the trail itself was a beautiful mix of moss and frost. I've never taken so many pictures.

The trail...

The views...

The trail is up and down and up and down. Somewhere around eight miles up I start getting tired but the views keep coming and I keep going. Around nine miles, we reach the summit electing to go left to Myrtle Point. At just a quarter of a mile, its very much worth the walk as the views are yet again amazing.

At this point (Myrtle Point, that is) we return back up the trail towards the lodge. If you don't know, LeConte Lodge is where you can rent cabins, buy stuff like the official 'I climbed Mt. LeConte' t-shirts and eat. They also have a bottomless cup of hot chocolate which I highly recommend. More info here. I digress.

It was somewhere around this point that I happened to mention to Eddie that I was tired, hungry and ready to get to the lodge asap. I had a Snicker bar and a Cherry Coke Zero in my pack screaming my name. So, Eddie being Eddie, somehow tricked me into another side trail. The Cliff Tops. I was not totally into this venture but away we go. Yep. Totally worth it. Big time. Truly breathtaking!

After The Cliff Tops we work our way down to the lodge. I devour the Snicker and Coke and down several cups of hot chocolate while sitting on the deck chilaxing in a rocking chair. Life is good.

Before leaving, we got an extra treat. We got to meet the llamas! I swear that when I took this guy's picture, he turned to the camera and smiled. No joke.

The subsequent hike down Alum Cave Trail was a blur. We put it in high gear and flew down stopping occasionally for yet more remarkable views. Probably less than a mile from the parking lot, I turned my ankle on a rock or root or something and stumbled like a fool for about ten feet or so until my sticks finally kept me from face planting. Bullet dodged. Ankle sore.

When all was said and done, this was one of the best and most beautiful hikes ever. From this point on, hiking The Boulevard up LeConte will be mandatory, hiking down still optional. 

TRAIL REVIEW

Appalachian Trail - 2.7 miles

The Boulevard Trail - 5.4 miles

Alum Cave Trail - 5.0 miles

1 shelter (Mount LeConte)

For more pictures of this hike, check out the Smoky Mountain Hikertrash facebook page.

For more information on this hike and many more, visit Hiking in the Smokys.