Hike #47 : September 7, 2015
2.4 miles
1.1 new miles
579.3 total overall miles
388.3 total miles of 800.8579.3 total overall miles
Labor Day. What a fine day for a hike (like every day!).
The original plan was to hike Hannah Mountain but as I arrived to a closed Parsons Branch Road, those plans were quickly thwarted. I still have no idea why the road was closed but I certainly had no desire to hike the extra three or four miles along the road just to reach the trailhead. I did go ahead and walk up to the Boring Family Cemetery since I was there. Its a beautiful small cemetery just past the gate to the right at the top of a access road. My hopes of ranger coming by and opening the gate were never realized so it was time for plan B.
As I pulled off of Forge Creek Road back onto the Cades Cove Loop, I was still trying to figure out just what plan B might be. I stopped by the Cable Cemetery. I stopped by the Cades Cove Nature Trail. Then, on a whim, I decided to just go knock out a few short trails off of Rich Mountain Road. So, I circled back around the loop and finally made it up the one way gravel road to the Indian Grave Gap Trailhead where, at 9:30, I finally got to do some real hiking.
According to the map, this is a one way 1.1 mile hike. It feels good to get going as the trail winds up. It starts as a wooded and secluded moderate hike along an obvious old roadbed. Considering that its likely not a very used trail, I find it in surprisingly good shape. About half way up, the views down towards the Cove are spectacular. That's always especially nice when its unexpected.
Although the trees do a good job blocking many potential views, there's several glimpses along the way.
Just after these pictures were taken, I come around a bend in the trail and that's when I saw the deer. It was a big buck, 8 to 10 pointer. He was standing there with that... well, that deer in the headlights look. I get my camera for what I imagine will be a great pic when he makes it clear who is going to be the boss here. He starts walking agressively towards me. Never once slowing or looking away.
Now, as a hiker, I've been schooled time and time again about what to do when encountering a bear on the trail. But a deer? Not so much. I not gonna lie, I was a little concerned (re: scared). I mean, here I am on a secluded trail, all alone. Since I'd planned on hiking Hannah Mountain, no one even knew where I really was. If this buck tears into me... it could be bad. Really bad.
The remaining half mile up is steep. Really steep. Thanks to that buck, my adrenulin is going strong and helps me make the climb.
As I pulled off of Forge Creek Road back onto the Cades Cove Loop, I was still trying to figure out just what plan B might be. I stopped by the Cable Cemetery. I stopped by the Cades Cove Nature Trail. Then, on a whim, I decided to just go knock out a few short trails off of Rich Mountain Road. So, I circled back around the loop and finally made it up the one way gravel road to the Indian Grave Gap Trailhead where, at 9:30, I finally got to do some real hiking.
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| Indian Grave Gap Trailhead at Rich Mountain Road |
According to the map, this is a one way 1.1 mile hike. It feels good to get going as the trail winds up. It starts as a wooded and secluded moderate hike along an obvious old roadbed. Considering that its likely not a very used trail, I find it in surprisingly good shape. About half way up, the views down towards the Cove are spectacular. That's always especially nice when its unexpected.
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| Looking down into Cades Cove |
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| Incredible view from Indian Grave Gap |
Just after these pictures were taken, I come around a bend in the trail and that's when I saw the deer. It was a big buck, 8 to 10 pointer. He was standing there with that... well, that deer in the headlights look. I get my camera for what I imagine will be a great pic when he makes it clear who is going to be the boss here. He starts walking agressively towards me. Never once slowing or looking away.
Now, as a hiker, I've been schooled time and time again about what to do when encountering a bear on the trail. But a deer? Not so much. I not gonna lie, I was a little concerned (re: scared). I mean, here I am on a secluded trail, all alone. Since I'd planned on hiking Hannah Mountain, no one even knew where I really was. If this buck tears into me... it could be bad. Really bad.
First, he sizes me up...
and here he comes...
getting a little too close...
As you can see in the above picture, a doe came down the ridge behind the buck. Guess he was trying to impress his lady.
When she appeared, he stopped and turned to her. Thankfully!
As the doe ran down the ridge, he took a quick bite and follwed after her.
The last couple of pictures are a blurry mess but what can I say? That's what happens during near death killer deer encounters.
and there he goes...
The remaining half mile up is steep. Really steep. Thanks to that buck, my adrenulin is going strong and helps me make the climb.
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| Near the top of Indian Grave Gap |
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| Just thought this was a beautiful sight |
Upon reaching the junction with the Rich Mountain Loop Trail, its time to retreat back to the trailhead. Indian Grave Gap actually continues as part of the loop for another 2.6 miles all the way to the junction with Scott Mountain and Crooked Arm Ridge Trails but I've already hiked that a few times so its on the next trail...
TRAIL REVIEW
Indian Grave Gap Trail - 1.1 miles (one way)
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.
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