Mike Hike #5: The Greenbrier Pinnacle and Cat Stairs

September 26, 2015

11 or so miles

Mike Hike miles are not part of my journey to the 900. 
They're just good for the soul.

Off-Trail Hiking with Mike Maples

View from thr Cat Stairs

I met Mike and new hiking friend Joe Ferrell in Greenbrier around 8am and the adventure soon began. We start off walking along the old roadbed headed towards Ramseys Cascades. Its a nice walk that gives Joe and I time to get acquainted while Mike schools us on our surroundings. After about a mile and a half the roadbed ends at a turn around where the trail to Ramseys continues and a unmarked trail switches back off to the left.

Mike standing at the Greenbrier Pinnacle Trailhead

That unmarked trail is where we're headed. The trail begins as a well-defined path. Although its a steady uphill walk, its not particularly steep. As we continue, there are many downed trees (some very large) that we have to either climb over, go around or even crawl under. Although this is an old jeep road, its hard to imagine that today as time has eroded much and the forest reclaimed most of it. There's a few spots that become ugly and difficult with several slaps to the face by encroaching vegetation of all sorts. Joe was particularly fond of the brier patches!

Joe fought the briers and the briers won!

As I remember, and since my GPS was malfunctioning (!), it was about a mile and half from the junction when we came to a few extremely large trees. One directly to the right touching the trail and another a few tenths of a mile further up, also to the right of the trail about 10 or 20 feet. There are many rhododendron tunnels along the way, and you know how much I love rhodo-tunnels!

Mike and the beanstalk... uh, I mean big tree!

At 3.1 miles from Ramsey Prong Roadbed, we made it to the overlook to the left. Absolutely amazing!

View from the Pinnacle Overlook

After a much need lunch break and some good conversation, we take bunches of pictures and decide to head on up to the top where the old fire tower used to be. At this point we're just kinda playing it by ear as to what the ultimate destination might be due to the fact that we're all old and the weather could take a turn. But the weather is fine as we head up the next .4 of mile. The trail to the top is directly behind you as you look out at the overlook and is also mostly well defined, however it is a steep climb and quite difficult to maneuver as it is seriously overgrown. More face smacking and brier snagging!

This steel post marks the end of the steep climb up to the ruins of the cabin and fire tower.

At the top, we find where the old cabin once stood directly in front of the fire tower ruins. Mike posted a great video about it. Notice the Hollywood style camera work?

The cabin well

Fire tower ruins

From here, we return the way we came and Mike stops at a faint side trail that leads the way to the Cat Stairs. The three of us decide we're ready for more, so Cat Stairs, here we come!

Cat Stairs Trail

The "trail" is very faint to nonexistent almost immediately. This is for all intents and purposes bushwhacking. A few very steep drops, some crawling and climbing and a few glimpses of beauty above the forest growth are keeping us alert.

Cat Stairs Trail. Trail? We don't need no sticking trail!

Upon reaching the "stairs", the word steep takes on an entirely new definition. Mike suggest we scoot down the dirt on our butts and leads the way. I try to maintain on foot with success, albeit frightening success, while Joe goes full on dirt slide behind me. Joe took a few unplanned scoots here and there and earned himself a new trail name: Scooter. We came to a protruding rock after, I may be wrong here but I think it was after this first major downhill slide, where the view rivals any that I've seen in the park. Stunningly amazing.

View from the Cat Stairs

Another view from the Cat Stairs

Soon we're to the next couple of super, incredibly steep drop-offs. More amazing views along the way.

Scooter earning his trail name!

Mike goes scooting down, down, down!

Cat Stairs

Views!

Amazing views!

After we finally made it safely through the Cat Stairs we start doing some sideways walking through the super steep forest.

The Greenbrier Pinnacle. We just came down the left side!

The trail disappears a time or two so Mike just wanders here and there until it reappears like magic. I made it all the way through the Cat Stairs and all the ridiculous steepness only to trip over God knows what and take a little fall to my knees as we made our way to a well worn trail. This trail leads to familiar territory. A nice walk leads to the Barnes place where Randy and I walked with Mike about a month ago (link: Mike Hike #4).

Barnes Place

Barnes Children Graves

From here we hike on out with one little Mike Maples shortcut along the way. A nice area just over a long rock wall that he referred to as an old CCC dump site. A cool way to end one of my most favorite days in the park. 

Old CCC truck

Forgotten bridge supports

As much as love the trails in the Smokies, there's something magical about going where few will ever tread. Having the extraordinary opportunity to join Mike for these adventures is a blessing. So, in summary, the weather turned out perfect and no one got (seriously) hurt and the hike was absolutely amazing. Easily, one of the best ever! I call that a great day!

Thanks, Mike!

Want to learn more about Mike's adventures? 
Check out his page at GoSmokies.com

*This is not a guide or even a suggestion that anyone should hike off-trail in the Smoky Mountains.

It is dangerous and could be deadly. 
HIKE AT YOUR OWN RISK.