Hiking, kayaking, biking, skiing, camping, hunting and other outdoor activities. Show me your pictures

[BenGrimm]

After last week’s 7 miler we promised the kids a shorter hike next time. This is a popular trail in Cherokee National Forest near Chucky, TN. Only a mile into the falls and its a shallow basin for the kids to play in. We got lucky again and had the falls to ourselves for about 30min.

 

[BenGrimm]

My son and I went for a little walk today in the greenbriar area of cosby. I really wanted to do the porter creek trail, but the road is washed out and the sign says no one beyond this point.

If I was alone I would have walked around the signs but I had my son so you know.

We just walked the road for a couple miles and took several side trails to the creeks.

We actually set out on a rock in the creek below a bridge and had a snack. I needed the carbs cause the humidity had my old butt sucking wind.

Humidity was high yesterday. My glasses kept fogging up LOL.

 

[Jackcrevol]

Humidity was high yesterday. My glasses kept fogging up LOL.

Nice pics, four eyes. Seriously, that iphone 11 takes great pics. MBN.

 

[goldenvol]

Humidity was high yesterday. My glasses kept fogging up LOL.

Yes, I noticed that also. We were basically in the shade the whole time, but I was sweating up a storm. It was super humid.

 

[Tin Man]

Suwanee Caboose to Lanier Islands and back, 27 miles, 4 stops, 2 hours, 12.7 mph average.

 

[Tin Man]

So, I select the picture with the image upright, it loads sideways. My phone has Joe-phone disease.

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Did a section of the AT in Hampton on Watauga Lake yesterday. Destination was the Watauga Dam. Nice trail that ended up being a little longer than we thought Kids powered through though and loved seeing the views from dam at the end. The was quite the large tree blocking the trail at one point. That was new for them to have to climb over something in the way View attachment 283971View attachment 283972
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One of my first AT hikes ever as a kid with my dad. On a side note I am a trail maintainer for the AT and hopefully the ATC will let us get back out there in the next few weeks to get trees cleared off of the trail.

 

[Jackcrevol]

One of my first AT hikes ever as a kid with my dad. On a side note I am a trail maintainer for the AT and hopefully the ATC will let us get back out there in the next few weeks to get trees cleared off of the trail.

I think I read aboit a new Visitor Center in Damascus?

 

[UT_Dutchman]

I think I read aboit a new Visitor Center in Damascus?

Yes and National Trail Days should have been this past Saturday, but well you know all those people in trail towns would have been a problem. They had a virtual Trail Days, I just couldn't get into that though, just not the same. The GSMNP is close to having a plan to get most everything opened back up.

 

[BenGrimm]

One of my first AT hikes ever as a kid with my dad. On a side note I am a trail maintainer for the AT and hopefully the ATC will let us get back out there in the next few weeks to get trees cleared off of the trail.

Trail maintenance on the AT has always been great from my experience. Rarely so I ever see a large tree in the way. Honestly I didnt even think that crews were on hold due to pandemic. It looked like a pretty fresh fall so I assumed it had happened in last couple of days.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

For anyone who might be contemplating a visit to grizzly country in the foreseeable future, here is the link to a video that illustrates a behavior that most definitely should be avoided: Montana driver has a lucky escape after grizzly charges car when he slows down to look at her cubs | Daily Mail Online.

Incidentally, this incident was surpassed in stupidity by at least one encounter with a grizzly. If memory serves me correctly, this event was recorded long ago in Andy Russell’s classic book, “Grizzly Country.” And, if memory serves me correctly, the particulars were as follows:

Around dusk, a driver spots a grizzly crossing the road at some distance. For some inexplicable reason, the driver decides to play a practical joke on this bear. He turns his headlights off, turns off his engine and slowly coasts up behind the bear. Upon getting into close proximity with this bear, he then proceeds to startle it with a prolonged honk of his horn. Grizzlies are, of course, enormously powerful animals. Close your eyes and ponder the thought of filling such an animal with an immediate rush of adrenaline and instantaneous rage. You can imagine the outcome.

After practically jumping out of its skin, this grizzly charged the vehicle, brought both forepaws up and all but crushed the engine block with one powerful blow, before sprinting up the side of the nearest mountain to get away from this idiot. Can you just imagine the call that must have transpired between this driver and his insurance agent: “Sir, I have no idea why this bear decided to virtually destroy my pickup truck.”

 

[UT_Dutchman]

Trail maintenance on the AT has always been great from my experience. Rarely so I ever see a large tree in the way. Honestly I didnt even think that crews were on hold due to pandemic. It looked like a pretty fresh fall so I assumed it had happened in last couple of days.

The national forest is about to start letting us go back out and we have a conference call with the park next week. I'm ready, I'm sure everything is a mess.

 

[Tin Man]

Should be darned easy to social distance in a National Forest.

 

[Tin Man]

My wife took this photo at Lanier Islands, today (I’m 3rd from the left with the white kerchief around my neck). We rode 29.56 miles this morning.

 

[BenGrimm]

Had local vacation week. First up the Creeper Trail. We took it slow. Stopped and read the info markers. Had picnic by the creek and played in the water. 5 year old gutted it out on his little bike for the entire 15ish miles. Proud of him.

 

[BenGrimm]

Next was a family first camping trip. In fact it was a first time for everyone but me! Stayed at a nice quiet little campground right down the road from Damascus. Had nice creek running right behind us with shallows and deep spots for swimming. Nearby were a couple short trails with steep climbs. Everyone had a great time.

 

[BenGrimm]

Before heading home we swung by Roan Mtn to check out the Rhododendron Garden. Place was crowded! Kids were a little burned out by this point. They said they wanted to stay camping but once we were in the car they really wanted to head home. We had to promise we weren’t going on a long hike LOL.

 

[Jack5151]

Hiked the Glade Creek Trail in Beaver, West Virginia over the weekend. I highly recommend this hike of you ever have the opportunity.

 

[Roustabout]

Should be darned easy to social distance in a National Forest.

You obviously haven’t been to Cades Cove

 

[volwindy]

Had local vacation week. First up the Creeper Trail. We took it slow. Stopped and read the info markers. Had picnic by the creek and played in the water. 5 year old gutted it out on his little bike for the entire 15ish miles. Proud of him.
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I've done the CT once..it was raining and we were covered in mud!

 

[Go aeiou]

Next was a family first camping trip. In fact it was a first time for everyone but me! Stayed at a nice quiet little campground right down the road from Damascus. Had nice creek running right behind us with shallows and deep spots for swimming. Nearby were a couple short trails with steep climbs. Everyone had a great time.View attachment 289336View attachment 289340View attachment 289341View attachment 289342View attachment 289343View attachment 289344View attachment 289345

I'll bet they slept well.

 

[BenGrimm]

I've done the CT once..it was raining and we were covered in mud!

We did it 2 years ago and it was raining when we started. We all had the mud splatter up the back LOL. That trip also had 4 older cousins and a brother in law that wanted to ride through as fast as possible. We wanted to take our time and soak in the trail this time.

Back then the middle boy was on the little bike and he did the whole trip too. That little bike has some miles on the CT.

We are planning to go again in the fall when the leaves change.

 

[Tin Man]

You obviously haven’t been to Cades Cove

Cades Cove is in the Smokey Mountain National Park, is it not?

A National Park is not the same as a National Forest.

 

[Roustabout]

Cades Cove is in the Smokey Mountain National Park, is it not?

A National Park is not the same as a National Forest.

picking nits. Sure, but there are plenty of congested areas in national forests as well.

 

[Tin Man]

picking nits. Sure, but there are plenty of congested areas in national forests as well.

No, I'm not picking nits. I've spent plenty of time in National Forests and the Smokey Mountain National Park. I've never had a issue being six feet or more away from anyone else. Heck, most of my time in either has been spent in the absence of anyone other than whomever might be accompanying me.

You've quoted no sources of stats to support your point of view. Apparently, you just want to belligerently assert it all the same. Congratulations. You are recognized for who you are.