Old Dan Walking

[caption id="attachment_1608" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Morning on Maddron Bald Trail"]

[/caption] To skip the chatter and go right to the pics of this walk, click the link below: Maddron Bald Trail and Albright Grove(Opens in new window) 15.0 mile out-and-back walk on Maddron Bald Trail near the Cosby area of the Smokies. The walk started and ended at the Maddron Bald trailhead on Laurel Springs Road and included Albright Grove Loop Trail – May 22, 2010 [caption id="attachment_1603" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="One of my morning companions"] [/caption] After a week off to attempt to rest my ailing back I returned to the Smokies bent on exorcising my old nemesis by tackling another challenging trail. What better way to expel a demon than with a 3500 foot climb into the spruce-fir? Personally I see no better way. The twilight drive up to the hills was once again filled with Smoky Mountain magic, first with a sighting of two huge bull elk around the fence at Oconaluftee Visitor Center and later an indescribably gorgeous sunset. Ok, maybe I will try to describe it since I blew it and didn’t get a picture. Sorry in advance for the over-drama…..if you’re just here to read about my walk on Maddron Bald Trail then spare yourself the agony and skip down a paragraph. The rains had just ended as I topped the state line ridge at Newfound Gap and began descending into Tennessee towards my overnight destination in Gatlinburg. The late afternoon storms had rained themselves out and left a 500-foot thick blanket hanging just below the 5000’ elevation Gap as they receded. As I descended rapidly and passed Morton Overlook, crammed full with awestruck photographers with tripods ready, I looked over my shoulder to see the incredible sight of brilliant orange sunbeams bursting in all directions through the spent clouds like an exploding supernova. The mountains above and below the clouds glistened with the droplets left behind by the Spring bath. The lower layer of the blanket of clouds sank rapidly into the deep spruce-filled valley in ribbons while fog from the valley below raced up in blown ribbons to shake hands with its cousin. The sky was awash in pink and purple twilight hues. It was magestic…..Any questions why I’ve become so addicted to this hobby? [caption id="attachment_1605" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="A beech growing from a nurse stump"] [/caption] Now back to our regularly scheduled program. As I mentioned in a prior post my options for new Smoky Mountain trail miles are getting slimmer without some major trekking or overnight backcountry visits. Compounding my problem on this Saturday was the fact that I had set an artificial 12 mile cap on my walk in order to attempt to avoid a week of ice packs and horse-pill ibuprofen. Typically I’m decent at math, but for some reason today I set out for the northeast corner of the Park without fully comprehending that 7 point something plus 7 point something, even in low gravity of 2010, is still more than 12. No worries though, at least part of it was going to be on an old road. This shouldn’t be a problem…. [caption id="attachment_1604" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Willis Baxter cabin"] [/caption] Maddron Bald Trail Did you guess Maddron Bald Trail? Twenty pounds of Kashi bars for you, you’re absolutely correct. Maddron Bald Trail climbs steadily for nearly 3600 feet from the lowlands near Rocky Grove and Cosby southward and up into the pleasant high elevation spruce-fir forests on Snake Den Ridge. To get to the trailhead, I drove east from Gatlinburg and turned right onto Baxter Road just past Yogi’s Campground. There was a small parking area at the trailhead with room for about 3 cars. I was #3 today. Starting up the trail I once again was relieved to see that I will be returning this afternoon on a flat, wide, gravel road. It will be a welcome sight after 15 miles of trekking on an aching back. Several colorful snails, the long, white-flowered shoots of galax, and the tiny ground-hugging flowers of partridgeberry were the most noticeable distractions until I reached the Willis Baxter cabin a few tenths up the road. This tiny one-roomed chestnut log cabin was built in 1889 and was home for 6 despite having no windows. Where did they find room for the 51” flat screen? [caption id="attachment_1606" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Crossing Indian Camp Creek"] [/caption] I continued climbing the wide path, reaching the three-way intersection with Gabes Mountain Trail and Old Settlers Trail at 1.2 miles. I was at this spot on a muggy Saturday just three weeks ago on my Gabes Mountain Trail walk. Beyond the intersection the path is still decently wide, with a few hearty patches of poison ivy growing directly beside the trail. The climb is gradual but noticeable in the muggy morning air. Big hemlocks and poplars begin appearing on both sides of the trail. The first and only bridged crossing of today follows soon after. The long, sturdy footbridge carries me across the wide and picturesque Indian Camp Creek. Later, 3 miles from my starting point, I reach the intersection with Albright Grove Loop Trail. I will save this 0.7 mile half-loop for the return trip. I continue heading uphill along Maddron Bald Trail, crossing the intersection with the other end of the loop trail 0.3 miles further up-trail. From this point upward Maddron Bald Trail makes a steady climb along a path that is increasingly narrow. Gone is the flat, wide grade more resembling a road and I’m now on a more typical trail, passing large tree after large tree as I climb. It is so pleasant I feel compelled to stop to take a quick movie which I title ‘Morning on Maddron Bald Trail’….Wet booted crossings The next segment of the trail is all about un-bridged creek crossings. I come upon the first one shortly after leaving the Grove behind. This wide crossing is the first of several fords of Indian Camp Creek, and I have no choice but to immerse both feet. The upside is I no longer worry about trying to keep my feet dry on the 3 or 4 additional crossings of Indian Camp Creek and Copperhead Branch that follow a short time later. Although some of these crossings can be trouble in high water, today each seems more pleasant than the one before, and I stop at one to enjoy watching a couple of salamanders scurry around on the rocks. [caption id="attachment_1607" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A tiny salamander"] [/caption] Several of the crossings have small grottos and pools formed at deeper spots and I even notice a trout swimming around. I stop to chat with a family traveling the opposite direction after they’d spent a night at campsite #29 (a.k.a. Otter Creek campsite). Like many, they’re making the popular backpacking loop out of the Cosby Campground that travels up Snake Den Ridge Trail, down Maddron Bald Trail, and then returns to the frontcountry via Gabes Mountain Trail. One of them had spotted a bear the previous night, but today once again I only find their evidence left behind on the trails and no live bears. [caption id="attachment_1609" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Indian Camp Creek valley"] [/caption] Further up the trail at a switchback is a small spur tucked into mountain laurel that I almost miss because it looks like it might be a drainage channel. Am I glad I didn’t miss it! The spur leads to a rock outcropping with stunning 360 views of Indian Camp Creek valley, Maddron Bald, and all the way around to the high Smokies crest to the west. I stay way too long at this gorgeous spot. Past the view spot I continue uphill along a shaded north-facing cove, the drainage of Otter Creek. The trail now is thick with rhododendron and laurel tunnels, and wildflowers encroach more and more at trail’s edge. I notice many nice specimens of false solomon’s seal, umbrella leaf, and the showy stalks of speckled wood lily. Soon I hear and see Otter Creek tumbling down below me on the left before switching back to make a wet-footed crossing of the creek, reaching empty campsite #29. [caption id="attachment_1611" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Otter Creek campsite"] [/caption] Maddron Bald and Albright Grove Above the camp the trail climbs the side of Maddron Bald and then reaches the crest of this long ridge at a switchback. The telltale grasses of a former bald appear, as do specimens of the tiny sand myrtle bush with their showy white flowers bursting in bloom. I travel southeast along the top of the Bald and am now above 5000’ in elevation. The forest has changed to my favorite spruce-fir variety, lined on both sides by big red spruce, laurel tunnels, and the brilliant pink flowers of Catawba Rhododendron. Painted trilliums still bloom here despite having long ago gone to seed at the lower elevations. It seems just yesterday that we were dealing with a frigid winter, snow, and fallen trees, yet now we’re already about to close out the Spring wildflower season. Time flies, so get out there and witness the transformations because in a blink Spring 2010 will be over. [caption id="attachment_1612" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="View from atop Maddron Bald"] [/caption] Climbing steadily towards the top of the long ridge that comprises Maddron Bald, the trees eventually retreat and I’m surrounded by head-high walls of laurel. I see my first wild blueberry flowers, tiny bell-shaped blooms hanging in a cluster from the small bushes. In a couple months these berries will make a nice snack for hikers, birds, and bears. This is the spot that is supposed to have great views of Mount Guyot, Old Black, and Snake Den Ridge, but the clouds are thick and there is no view for me. But I’m not disappointed because the movement of the clouds over the ridgetops and through the tall red spruce is still most enjoyable. When I return later the view does improve some, uncovering much of the state line ridge to the west. From this point I’m ready to stop climbing but I still have a few hundred feet of elevation to gain before finally reaching the Snake Den Ridge Trail intersection. Whew! Over 3500 feet of climbing, and my back feels pretty good so far. From here it’s just 0.7 more miles of climbing to reach the state line and the Appalachian Trail at Inadu Knob, but I’ll skip that trek for today. I did that section last year on my epic Mount Cammerer loop out of Cosby. [caption id="attachment_1613" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="A massive poplar in Albright Grove"] [/caption] After a nice rest and lunch I return the way I came up. The downhill is much more difficult for me, as I slip constantly on the small rocks and jar my back with each pounding step. I take extra care at each creek crossing to make sure I don’t slip. I swing through the old-growth forest of Albright Grove but at this point I’m just ready to get back to the trailhead, so I’ll need to come back to do the Grove justice some other time. As suspected I’m thrilled to reach the easy walking of the flat, wide, roadbed on the last couple of miles. I make it back to my car in late afternoon, sore but thankfully not in agony. My nemesis may not be defeated, but he’s definitely taken some good shots to the body. A few more rounds and I’ll have him. [caption id="attachment_1614" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Views on the return trip"] [/caption] Low elevation on today’s 15 mile out-and-back walk was around 1900’ at the Maddron Bald trailhead beside Laurel Springs Road and high elevation was about 5425’ at the Snake Den Ridge Trail/Maddron Bald Trail intersection. The walk included over 4980’ in overall climbing. For pics of this walk, click the link below: Maddron Bald Trail and Albright Grove(Opens in new window)

[caption id="attachment_1552" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Looking east from Bote Mountain Trail"]

[/caption] To skip the chatter and go right to the pics of this walk, click the link below: Bote Mountain Trail(Opens in new window) 12.5 mile two-handled lollipop walk on Bote Mountain Trail near the Cades Cove area of the Smokies. The walk started and ended at the Bote Mountain trailhead on Laurel Creek Road and included Finley Cane Trail and Lead Cove Trail – May 8, 2010 New miles or repeat miles? If I want to continue seeing new Smoky Mountain trails, the choices are starting to get slim in the areas that are closest to my hometown, at least without a backpack or 20+ mile walk. So for my Mother’s Day eve walk (..and by the way Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, my wife, and all you mothers out there!) I headed to the northwest corner of the Park to catch some miles in the area I’ve walked the least near Townsend and Cades Cove. I hadn’t been to Townsend in many years so it was nice to see this quaint, quieter side of mountains again. [caption id="attachment_1544" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A cascade of Laurel Creek"] [/caption] I was relieved that the cold front that dropped a brief early-morning shower on Townsend was about to clear out the humidity I struggled with last week in Cosby, and it was forecast to be a spectacular day. Knowing I had a long walk and nearly the longest possible drive home afterward, I finally got up and going at a reasonable hour and made it to the Bote Mountain trailhead just after the last raindrop fell. It was unusually quiet for a Saturday so close to the always-jam-packed Cades Cove. That is because Saturday mornings before 10 AM are reserved for bicyclists only on the loop, which helped keep the morning traffic down. [caption id="attachment_1545" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Mountain Laurel were blooming"] [/caption] Bote Mountain Trail and Finley Cane Trail The trailhead for Bote Mountain Trail is directly beside Laurel Creek Road just a couple of miles from the Cades Cove entrance, but it only has room for a car or two. Instead I parked in the larger Turkeypen Ridge Trail parking area just about 50 yards down the road. I started up the wide, flat trail with low expectations for today’s walk. I had read in Smoky Scout’s blog about Bote Mountain Trail being one of those “Please don’t make me go back there” trails, so that had served to keep my expectations low. I had the feeling of one of those “checking the miles off” days as I slowly climbed up the former road. It was going to be pretty hard to top the past couple of weeks on Gregory Bald and the grand forest around Gabes Mountain. [caption id="attachment_1547" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A Tulip Poplar flower"] [/caption] The post-rainfall forest is cool though, especially if it’s early morning. Everything is out announcing the rain is over until they hear you walking, then it gets eerily quiet. After 1.2 miles of easy climbing I reach the intersection with West Prong Trail at a spot where ridge views begin to appear to the east. Here the mountain laurel are in full bloom all around the ridgetop, my first indication that today wouldn’t be just another mileage checker day. 0.3 miles later I turn right off of Bote Mountain Trail and begin the 2.8 mile descent on Finley Cane Trail. [caption id="attachment_1548" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Pink Lady Slipper on Finley Cane Trail"] [/caption] Finley Cane Trail far exceeded my expectations. Starting with high walls of rhododendron and laurel, the trails begins a very gradual descent through and around Finley Cove. Near the top the poplar trees and grapevines are huge, and each side of the trail bursts with trilliums, violets, orchids, and Mayapple, to name a few. Large poplar flowers litter the trail. This trail immediately goes on my ‘must come back with the family’ list. My attitude already repaired, it was great to be walking in the Smokies again! I stop for a while to listen for what I believe must be a falcon or hawk calling out for long periods, but I can’t spot it. Further down the trail changes character to a hemlock and magnolia forest and has a few mild crossings of Hickory Tree Branch and Laurel Cove Creek. In a flat area of young trees I spot a few Pink Lady Slipper flowers. The sound of Laurel Creek Road increases and soon I’m paralleling it for a short distance before reaching the foot-high crossing of Sugar Cove Creek. The trailhead and decent-sized parking area for three trails (Finley Cane Trail, Lead Cove Trail, and Turkeypen Ridge Trail) is just beyond the crossing. [caption id="attachment_1549" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Vaseys Trillium"] [/caption] Lead Cove Trail with nice company According to “100 Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park” and “Hiking Trails of Smokies”, Lead Cove Trail was named for the galena, or lead ore, that was once mined here. I’ll try to remember that so I can stop calling this trail by the wrong pronunciation. (should be ‘led’ rather than ‘leed’) After a short climb away from the road through laurel and pine, I make the wide and shallow crossing of Sugar Cove Creek before beginning the ascent of the northwest side of Bote Mountain. This climb gets pretty tough at times, so I stop once in a while to ‘admire the flowers’, including some nice Vasey’s Trillium and Canadian Violet specimens. [caption id="attachment_1550" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The fine folks I walked with up Lead Cove Trail"] [/caption] I catch up to a group of folks also ‘admiring the flowers’ and introduce myself. I enjoy the conversation with them and find that they are a family and friend from a church group on a Hike-A-Thon for benefit of the Fall Creek Christian Campground. Darvin Oakes is the Executive Director of the camp and explained that in the camp’s forty years they haven’t had to turn anybody away. Whether they wanted the company or not, I decide to tag along and join the group on the trek back to the top of Bote Mountain. 8) We stop once in a while to admire more huge poplars and a large group of Vasey’s Trilliums. Near the top views of Scott Mountain, on the Park’s northwest boundary, begin to appear through the grapevines. With all the good conversation the 1200’ climb seems like a breeze, and we soon reach Bote Mountain Trail for a chance to rest and have a snack. [caption id="attachment_1551" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bluets"] [/caption] Back on the Bote Knowing that I’ll probably complete the section of Bote Mountain Trail above Anthony Creek Trail some other day on a loop out of Cades Cove up to Spence Field, I decide to do an out-and-back to complete the 1.2 mile section that connects between Lead Cove Trail and Anthony Creek Trail. (see map, it’s easier to explain that way) Why do I do this? I have no idea…I guess because it’s there. Except for occasional views to the east through the trees, this section of Bote Mountain Trail is highly forgettable. Rocky and steep, it wasn’t really worth the trouble, but at least I burn a few more calories. Hey, this calls for soft serve at the Cades Cove camp store! 8) [caption id="attachment_1553" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Views of Defeat Ridge from Bote Mountain Trail"] [/caption] Now mostly done with ascending for the day, I begin the long 5.5 mile downhill trek on the former road back to the car. Past Lead Cove Trail the views of Defeat Ridge really begin to open up, and it is awesome. Not having to worry about any more ascending, I slow down here and enjoy stunning view after stunning view of the ridge that lost the battle to have a road on it. (read about it here.) The views together with the cool breezes made the road walk extremely pleasant, and I note that I must come back here during the Fall for what should be stellar views. [caption id="attachment_1554" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Defeat Ridge"] [/caption] Trudging down the trail I’m entertained with each step by hundreds of crickets bouncing out of the way on each side of me. It took a minute to figure out the rustling of the leaves was not due to wind or a snake, but rather hundreds of these little guys bounding around as I walk by. Watching them land awkwardly in the sandy soil is great entertainment, honest. 8) Although the road walk is not ideal, with several places that are painfully rocky and steep, there are a few sections that are almost beginning to look like a trail again rather than a road. In addition the last 1.2 miles is a wonderfully graded bed of clay and is rock and root free. Heaven on tired feet. I finish the walk with plenty of time and energy to visit Cades Cove and still make the long drive home safely. A gorgeous day on a trail I’ll surely go back to. [caption id="attachment_1555" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Cades Cove"] [/caption] [caption id="attachment_1556" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Views near Norton overlook"] [/caption] Low elevation on today’s 12.5 mile lollipop walk was around 1600’ at the Bote Mountain trailhead beside Laurel Creek Road and high elevation was just over 3700’ at the Anthony Creek Trail/Bote Mountain Trail intersection. The walk included over 3700’ in overall climbing. On the ride home I had my first Blue Ridge Parkway roadside elk sighting. I’ve seen a lot of elk, but this was the first I’ve seen beside the Parkway. [caption id="attachment_1558" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Elk 95 grazing beside the BRP"] [/caption] For pics of this walk, click the link below: Bote Mountain Trail(Opens in new window) [caption id="attachment_1557" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Views from the BRP"] [/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1528" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Beautiful forest scenes"]

[/caption] To skip the chatter and go right to the pics of this walk, click the link below: Gabes Mountain Trail(Opens in new window)13.4 mile out-and-back walk on Gabes Mountain Trail out of the Cosby area of the Smokies. The walk started and ended at the Cosby Campground and included Hen Wallow Falls – May 1, 2010 Heading across the Blue Ridge Parkway late Friday on my way to the Smokies I couldn’t help but stop at a few overlooks to take my first real pictures with my new camera. They turned out decent but I kicked myself later for forgetting to take a few panoramas. Oh well, next time. I briefly played chase vehicle for a group of bikers training for the Tour de’ Tuck, although on checking the website it appears that the ride might not happen this year. [caption id="attachment_1521" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Views from the Parkway"] [/caption] After an overnight in Gatlinburg I headed east Saturday morning with the intention of walking out of the Cosby area. I forgot to check the Park website and wasn’t sure Cosby was going to be open, so I left a backup plan with my wife just in case. Turns out they’ve completed enough of the work to open again, which I was happy about because I really love this quiet side of the Park. Today I would add more than six new Smokies trail miles and also a get to see a waterfall on Gabes Mountain Trail. Life is good. [caption id="attachment_1522" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A stern warning"] [/caption] Gabes Mountain Trail Man it’s nice to be in Cosby again! The picnic area was blocked off as a staging area for the crews that were already hard at work continuing the stimulus-funded campground refurbishments. I parked in the hiker lot and walked a short distance down the newly-paved entrance road to the trailhead for Gabes Mountain Trail. Fitting that I’ll be walking a trail built by crews funded by the last version of federal stimulus in the 1930’s. On the trail information sign was a stern warning of recent bear activity. No bear encounters for me today though. The rocky trail travels nearly due west and climbs steadily through a thick hemlock forest before coming to an intersection with another spur to the campground at 0.3 miles. I’ll return that way later today. Shortly after is the first of several nice crossings on footlog bridges amidst high walls of rhododendron. It is immediately apparent that this is going to be one nice trail, with big trees foreshadowing the even bigger ones to follow. On the left are the stumps of fallen chestnut trees, remains of giants that succumbed to the blight sixty years ago. [caption id="attachment_1523" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="An interesting rock bridge"] [/caption] At a switchback there is a spur trail off to the right where there are supposed to a couple of old chimneys, but I don’t find them. Continuing up the trail is now much wider and eventually comes to an interesting rock crossing with culverts. Shortly after it reaches the traffic circle where Hen Wallow Falls Trail used to connect in, but that trail is no longer in use. Leaning on the bottom of the trail sign here is a small marble memorial to Herb, 1928-2008. I’m not sure who Herb is, but rest in peace my friend. [caption id="attachment_1524" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Herb sign at the traffic circle"] [/caption] Above this area there are many piles of rock and old foundations from the settlement that was vacated when the Park was created. [caption id="attachment_1526" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Hen Wallow Falls"] [/caption] Hen Wallow Falls I continue climbing towards the Falls, beginning to drain already from the oppressive humidity. It is the first time this year that I’ve been bothered by the humidity, signaling that it’s May and time to climb higher trails. I’m normally a slow walker, but today I would labor just to average 1.5 mph for the entire day. [caption id="attachment_1525" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Luna Moth"] [/caption] I stop to rest and spot a large Luna moth tucked under a shoot beside the trail. Every time I stop I notice little things that I would’ve normally whipped right past, another reason I remind myself to slow down once in a while. Just before the spur trail to Hen Wallow Falls is a area of impressive rock formations on the left. At 2.2 miles I reach the spur trail and leave my pack behind for the steep descent to the Falls. The trail skirts the north rim of the ridge with nice views to the right. Hen Wallow Falls is a pleasant triple cascade and drops down from the northern face of the Smokies, a popular spot on most days. I try in vain to get the picture I was hoping for with my new camera…I’ll need more time to get familiar with it. [caption id="attachment_1527" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Gabes Mountain"] [/caption] A walk through stunning old growth After the falls the walk really gets pretty. Shortly on the left is a huge lichen-covered boulder and a narrow area where the edge of the trail drops dramatically off to the right. Views of Gabes Mountain appear through the trees. A switchback brings me higher up on the ridge to the trail highpoint at 3323’. Bending around the ridge there are nice views of the Snake Den Mountain, the ridge that parallels this trail to the south. From here there is a very pleasant stroll through old-growth forest. Huge oaks, hemlocks, silverbells, magnolias, and buckeyes are everywhere. Encroaching on the trail from both sides is a thick mat of wildflowers…..phacelia, trilliums, chickweed, violets, foamflower, to name a few. There are a few spots that are so nice you want to burst into song….well, you know what I mean. 8) [caption id="attachment_1529" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Greenbrier Creek"] [/caption] The trail descends to come upon Greenbrier Creek in Sugar Cove. If ever an area was aptly named, this would be it…absolutely gorgeous. The crossing of Greenbrier the only semi-tricky one of the day, so I sacrifice a foot to the creek to make sure I don’t fall and break my new camera. Sugar Cove campsite, a.k.a. Campsite #34, sits beside the creek here and is quite possibly the nicest Smokies backcountry camp I’ve seen to date. What’s your favorite Smokies backcountry campsite? Send me a comment and let me know. [caption id="attachment_1531" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Umbrella Leaf flowers"] [/caption] Friendly folks Here I meet friendly brothers Wally and Shane coming in from the Maddron Bald Trail on an out-and-back to the camp. These great dudes are outfitted to the nines and I can tell are in the beginning stages of a new hiking strategy for health purposes. Congratulations guys on the out-and-back, that was no easy climb coming in from the Maddron Bald trailhead, especially on a hot day like Saturday! It is so awesome to meet nice people that have started hiking for the health benefits, best of luck with it guys. When I left them I kicked myself for forgetting to take their picture…argh! [caption id="attachment_1530" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Greenbrier Creek"] [/caption] Past the campsite is a big downhill with a couple of really nice crossings of Buckeye Creek. At a switchback is a cool old chestnut stump with a hemlock growing out of the center. I reach the end of my outbound section at the three way intersection of Gabes Mountain Trail, Maddron Bald Trail, and the east end of Old Settler Trail. While I sit and rest, exhausted from the baking sun and humidity, several people pass by on their way to and from Albright Grove on Maddron Bald Trail. I look forward to enjoying the Grove on a future hike, but I’m saving it for a cooler day. After the rest I reluctantly face the big climb and head eastbound and back to the trailhead at the campground. On the long drive home I pass the site of the rockslide on newly-reopened I-40, but unfortunately my picture didn’t take at 60 mph. Low elevation on today’s 13.4 mile out-and-back walk was around 2170’ at the Cosby Campground trailhead and high elevation was 3323’ crossing Gabes Mountain. The walk included over 3500’ in overall climbing. The forest was gorgeous and better than most, but overall the day was much more difficult than it should have been for me thanks to the humidity and various other excuses I’ll spare you from. 8) For pics of this walk, click the link below: Gabes Mountain Trail(Opens in new window)