Hike #32, Part 2 : January 24, 2015
300 MILES!!!
15 miles
9.5 new miles
422 total overall miles
307.0 total miles of 800.8422 total overall miles
For our second trip to the Old Settlers Trail, Eddie and I will again be doing a car drop. We met at Greenbrier Cove and left a car at the small parking area just across the bridge heading toward the Ramsey Cascade trailhead. We then drove along 321 to the Texas Creek Manway across from Texas Lane. Although our first trip to OST started with an three mile bushwhack, we decided it best to forgo that craziness and use an actual trail this time.
The Texas Creek Manway runs directly off 321 between two rock walls. This is not an official trail nor is it mapped. The trail itself is mostly flat and in pretty good shape, although there are many downed trees along the way but they are easy enough to go around.
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| Texas Creek Manway |
Upon reaching the OST, the trail heads uphill along the creek. For a while here, we are hiking along the same part of the trail we did a few weeks ago but soon we find ourselves on new ground. That new ground was quickly covered in snow. A surprising amount of snow in fact.
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| One of the first of many chimneys along the Old Settlers Trail |
The snow soon went away as we began our way down into lower elevations over the few miles. There are so many wonderful sights along this trail. Rock walls, chimneys, old pieces of stoves and cookware... it's amazing.
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| This chimney is the Norm Ramsey homestead. (I know that thanks to Mike Maples) |
After 1.8 miles, the manway to Noisy Creek heads to the right. We walked a ways along Noisy Creek and enjoyed the cascading water and what looked like a few past homesteads with rock piles along the bank before heading back up to the OST. About a quarter of a mile farther along, the trail takes a steep climb as we pass Ramsey Creek. Shortly, we come to a large stone wall to the left with a smaller wall to the right.
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| This is the Homer Reagan homestead. (Again, I know that thanks to Mike Maples) |
A short walk along the wall and we came to a magnificent chimney.
At 4.1 miles, we reached campsite 33, which is also the site of an old homestead itself complete with chimney and more rock piles. On up at about 4.8 miles, there's another unmarked trail to the right that is a wide manway leading to 321. As the trail continues, there's still much to see.
As we made our way along the trail, nearing our next stop at the Frazier Cemetery, we came across something I'd never imagined seeing, a deer. A very dead and mostly eaten deer. We had no idea what killed it but judging by the scat just feet away, we were pretty sure a bear had just enjoyed a hearty lunch.
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| Bear brunch? |
Just beyond the gore, we came to our destination. Another unmarked trail leading right. We take the side trail and it soon splits. To the right the trail heads to 321 and to the left is the trail leading to the Frazier Cemetery.
After returning to the OST, we hit the 6 mile mark when we come to Soak Ash Creek where just before the trail crosses the creek, there are side trail to the left and the right. We took the trail to the left that leads to Green Cemetery. Its just a short walk that leads to a really steep climb but worth it if you're into the whole cemetery thing. The trail to the right may lead to the Doc Green Cemetery but we didn't have time to find out. Maybe another time.
From here, its more uphill climb. About 2 miles of climb until the trail levels out. The OST is such a remarkable trail with its incredible diversity and history but it is not an easy walk through the woods. It can be very strenuous at times and although it is certainly possible to hike it in its entirety in a single day, I would never recommend it. There's too much to see.
With about .3 of a mile to go before reaching the parking lot in Greebrier Cove, we take another off trail walk. This one was a little more hidden but with the leaves down, there's a visible path. I missed it but fortunately Eddie didn't. So we made our way to the Parton Cemetery and back. From here we make our return to the parking lot.
As we left, we made a quick stop at the Grapeyard Ridge Trailhead and made a half mile round trip to the old Friendship Church site and the Friendship Cemetery.
At the end of the day, I was physically spent as the sun was setting on one of our greatest hikes ever. As an added bonus, I think Eddie has caught the fever to explore more of these off trail adventures.
I highly recommend that anyone looking to do any adventuring in the Greenbrier area to check out Mike Maples' blog on GoSmokies.com. He is the definitive source for Old Greenbrier and is just a really nice man in general.
A last little collection of some of the old signs of lives past...
TRAIL REVIEW
Old Settlers Trail - 10.7 miles
Various off trail ventures - 6.3 miles
Campsite #33
Frazier, Green and Parton Cemeteries
Numerous homesteads, chimneys, ect.
Wanna hike the 900 without getting lost? Start by checking out the book Day Hiker's Guide To All The Trails In The Smoky Mountains by Elizabeth L. Etnier.
Hiking Trails of the Smokies or "The Little Brown Book" from the GSMA
Hiking Trails of The Great Smoky Mountains by Ken Wise
There is loads of information in the pages of GoSmokies.com.
