Smoky Mountain Cosby Campground - Sara

We set up tents in two group campsites in the Cosby Campground. The first day we hiked to Sutton Ridge by way of the lower Mt. Cammerer trail and then came back on the nature trail inside the campground. We enjoyed a potluck feast that evening and sat under a canopy during a light rain. The next morning, we hiked Porter's Creek in the Greenbrier section of the Smokies. We explored a cemetery, an old homestead and passed a beautiful waterfall. That evening we enjoyed a meal at the Crystelle Creek Restaurant near Gatlinburg. Thursday morning, we left the campsite to hike to the lookout tower on top of Mt. Cammerer. We hiked there via Low Gap, AT and Mt. Cammerer trails. We finally got to build a fire that evening since it hadn't rained that day. Friday, some of the hikers stayed back to hike to Ramsey Cascades. We experienced a lot of rain, but everyone enjoyed the hikes and identifying all the beautiful wildflowers. Participants were Jim Barritt, Patti Bradley, Betsy Darken, Wendy Fish, Joe Gonzalez, Susan Gonzalez, Joan Hartvigsen, Tammy Hendrick, Mark Hubbard, Mary Larsen, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Cynthia Skidmore, Sherlene Spicer, and Michel Travers. 

Pictures:

Smokies Camping Trip - Sara

The Murfreesboro and Highland Rim chapters hosted a 4 day, 3 night camping trip to the Smokies. There were 8 campers and we stayed in Cataloochee Group Campsite #2 near Waynesville, North Carolina. The campsite was spacious and it was beside a small stream. The first evening we enjoyed a potluck dinner and then drove down the road to a field to see the elk coming out at dusk to graze. We saw around 20 elk and a few of them came right up to the vehicles. 

Tuesday morning we hiked 9.0 miles along the Rough Fork and Caldwell Fork trails. It was a steep climb and descent but we saw old growth trees and beautiful wildflowers. 

Wednesday we hiked about 7 miles on the Caldwell Fork and  Boogerman Trails. We had 11 creek crossings on this hike but it actually felt good to get our feet wet. It started raining Wednesday night and was still raining off and on Thursday morning so after breakfast we packed up and headed home. We were going to hike the Cataloochee Divide Trail but abandoned the idea due to the weather. 

It was good camping weather though, not too hot and temperatures at night around 58-60 degrees. Campers were Jim Barritt, Joe Campbell, Rosie Curtis, Cyn Hartlieb, Joan Hartvigsen, Sara Pollard, Gloria Dale Williams, and Brian Wofford.

Pictures:

Smokies Camping Trip - Sara

We had 13 camper/hikers for our weekend in the Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway area. We camped at Mile High Campground and our sites had gorgeous views of the mountains. 

Friday afternoon a few hiked to the Heintooga Overlook and the rest of us hiked the Flat Creek Trail. We had one creek crossing where we had to change into our water shoes. Friday evening we shared a barbecue potluck with lots of delicious sides and desserts. 

Saturday we hiked 14 miles on the Rough Fork, Caldwell and Hemphill Bald Trails. The views from Hempbill Bald were spectacular. We encountered volunteers on horses doing trail maintenance, which was needed because there were several trees down across the trails. It was a long day and we decided to bring the leftover barbecue and sides out and not go into town and eat in a restaurant. 

Sunday’s hike was shorter – a 5 mile loop in the Shining Rock Wilderness off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We hiked the Art Loeb trail with panoramic views from Tennent Mountain and Black Balsam Knob. We had great weather and even a full moon. 

Hikers were Joe Campbell, Randy from Durham, NC, Jane Ellett, Wendy Fish, Judy Fries, Jean Goldman, Joan Hartvigsen, Nancy Juodenas, Marsha Medford, Joni Perrine, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, and Jeff Vernon.

Pictures: