[caption id="attachment_544" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The boys getting ready for a big day"]
[/caption] To skip the chatter and go right to the pics of this walk, click the link below:
Flat Creek Trail(Opens in new window) 5.6 mile out-and-back walk on Flat Creek Trail – including an excursion to Flat Creek Falls – July 11, 2009 On Saturday July 11, 2009 the boys joined me for a pleasant Summer walk through the Smoky’s high-country. Flat Creek Trail in the Balsam Mountain area of the Smokies gets little use, but it is an absolute gem of a trail. This little 2.6 miler combines many of the top hits that bring the masses to these mountains, including ridge walking in a boreal spruce-fir forest, creekside wandering, bridged stream crossings, wildflowers, wildlife, and views. It is like one of those Ronco compilation CDs that are just $9.99 if you call now….all rolled up into a nice short walk that has some elevation change, but not so much that your lungs or knees dominate your thoughts. You still have lots of energy to look around or if you choose to, just stop and listen. Topping this one off for me was the fact that I was joined by my fast-growing boys on a postcard perfect July Saturday afternoon. The high life in the high country, does it get any better? Oh yeah, and we also took a short excursion along an unofficial trail to enjoy tumbling Flat Creek Falls. [caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Thomas handled GPS duties"]
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Editor's Note: The boys didn't stop talking the entire weekend, but once we got home it was tough to get them to take break from their oh-so-busy school's out Summer schedule to journal about their walk on Flat Creek Trail. After much procrastination they finally put down the controllers long enough to write a few words below... Enjoy -Old Dan Nick describes his day on the trail [caption id="attachment_546" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Nick crossing Bunches Creek"]
[/caption] The first part of the hike was an easy downhill part. The hike was filled with mushrooms, snails, insects, and creek crossings. As I approached the crossing I realized that it was a log buried into the ground. As I crossed it I looked down and saw a salamander. We went through a long, incredible flat area, and ran into a sign, which we learned gave us 0.1 extra miles. We headed to the top and met some people. They were hiking the trail. We met with them back at the sign and saw an old trail behind the sign. We found out it led to the falls. We enjoyed a little cave made of the falls and the native plants. We headed back and those car seats never felt so good. That wraps up this hike. –Nick
Thomas describes his day on the trail [caption id="attachment_547" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Thomas crossing Bunches Creek"]
[/caption] We saw some cool turkeys on the road on the way to our hike. Then we went across some dizzy curves and presto, made it to the parking circle. It was great that there were some bathrooms at the picnic area because I had to go. We began our hike. Dad had us take a picture at the sign, it was called Flat Creek Trail. Dad gave me GPS duty, I loved that little portable GPS, it was so handy. I used it while we were walking to see the time, how far we walked, and our top speed – which was kind of pathetic. Only 4.1 mph. While we were on the trail we came across some pretty neat mushrooms. My favorite was the one that looked like a cotton ball. You can check out the picture on Dad’s website. On the trail we saw many trees that got demolished by these strange Asian bugs. The trail had many creek crossings, they cut down a log and put it top of the stream. Unfortunately the first one didn’t have a railing so we almost fell off. And Nick found a salamander, but I only saw a glimpse of the little brown guy. Also later on the trail we found a strange little orange salamander. He was scared of us because he was moving slow but he hid inside of a log. My cat O’Malley is very cute. He came in to see me and meowed at me. The trail was very muddy, and my foot made a suction cup noise stepping out of the mud. We just bought new shoes and after the hike it looked like I had been walking in a mud hut for 12 years. I hope Mom doesn’t find out. 8) Later on the trail there was a tree that had been cut down right in front of the path. I was the only one that fit underneath it so I was proud of that. At the rest stop we had a cinnamon Pop Tart and some of the best nuts..pecans! Then we started to head back and I reminded Dad that we didn’t get to see the waterfall. He thought it might be on a side trail so we checked the GPS. It had a little digital map to show which way we needed to go. It was a strange side path that was overgrown with bushes. Then at the end of the overgrown trail we found a nice little waterfall and took some pictures which you can see on the website. Later on the trail it was uphill and I started to get tired. I couldn’t wait to get to the car. At the end of the trail Dad and Nick and wanted to stay and look at the mountain view, but I wanted to get to the car so I continued on. I made it to the car first and waited a minute or two for Dad. My legs felt so good when they hit that leather seat. I had a lot of fun and next time we go to the mountain I probably will be willing to go on another trail. -Thomas It was a great day with my boys and I'm looking forward to the next opportunity to get up there and walk around the woods with them. Anyone out there looking for a starter hike with the kids should definitely put Flat Creek Trail at the top of their list. It delivers big-time in the thrills-per-mile category. This walk and Kephart Prong Trail have been two of my favorite short distance walks so far. Low elevation on today’s 5.6 mile out-and-back walk was around 4730’ at the crossing of Bunches Creek and the high elevation was 5330’ just past the Heintooga Picnic Area. For pics of this walk, click the link below:
Flat Creek Trail(Opens in new window)
Dan DeSetto
