"Wanna" see YOUR magnificent trails...

Great stuff - keep it coming.

 

The first time we went hiking in these mtn,s was the Ramsey Cascades Trail. I didn't have a camera so I have included pictures from the internet. We were first just going to hike the 2 miles or so up to see the old growth trees that wasn't logged out in the early 1900's. The first mile was an old rail bed, and it was very boring. Then it just stopped, and we were actually on a narrow dirt trail that worked it's way around laurel thickets and steep terrain.

The tree in this picture was actually our prime destination. After my wife, daughter and I tried to put our arms around it, which we couldn't do, we stood and pondered on it's age.

I wasn't satisfied or tired yet, so my wife asked if I wanted to press on to the cascades that were another 2 miles ahead. I was ready and eager to go.
These foot bridges over the creeks were very common.

I can't explain enough about how rugged it realy got. We were grasping at tree roots and climbing over huge rocks about the last quarter miles. I always thought I was in pretty decent shape, but this proved me to be wrong. We passed several people going both directions. We had people pass us that were probably in their 60,s and a few that more heavy set than I, and of course the younger ones that appeared to defie gravity. We made it, eventually. I thought my old ticker was going to jump out of my chest!
I stretched out on a huge boulder and marveled at the falls. This sign realy caught my attention . Getting injured here would mean that some one would have to carry you out at least 3 miles.

Then it was time to go. Going down was as rough as coming up. I loved every minute of it! Sorry for the bum pictures.

 

Another boring night at work, so here is my favorite hike in the Smokey mtn park.

Charlies bunion. My wife and I arrived at New Found gap about 8 am one summer morning 7 years ago, and it was in the low 40's. awfully cool out when wearing shorts. We headed north on the Appalachian trail. The trailed meandered from the north Carolina side and back to the tennessee side. this is the long way around to Mount LeCont that they used to deliver mail to a group that cooked and worked at the cabins for a month or so at a time. Oh the Rangers actually used a lama deliver mail and supplies up there. After this turn off the trail followed the crest of the mountain. The saddles were just awsome!

Charlies bunion. I loved it and I want to do it again. I took pictures with my old flip phone and they got lost, but the internet pictures are probably better quality.

 

Most of these hikes that my wife and I done were 7 or 8 years ago. We were in our mid 40's and I was only working 4 days a week, I loved that time! After a year of day hikes every other weekend, my wife tired of the 2.5 hour drive there and 2.5 hours back, depending on trffic, and she has concerns about her knees. So I didn't want to sound misleading with these adventures. We have enjoyed everyone of them, and have no regrets. We take little less strenuous hikes now, like with Cheowa up to stone mtn last week. .

A thing of concern when hiking remote areas, if you twist an ankle, mess your knee up, or break something, 2 or 3 miles of rugged terrain can be a herendous task.

Y'all trek safely, and stay in shape.

 

...now that's great stuff.

 

Abrams Falls in Cades Cove which is a high mountain valley in the Smokey mtn. There was a movie made about Cades Cove maybe 15 years ago or so. The movie was called Christy about a young girl that starts a school there. Any how here a pic from internet, mine are on film and pale in comparison.

The trail starts at the southern end of the cove and follows Abrams creek. The trail is about 2.5 miles to the falls. stock pic. The trail didn't have any breath taking views of the mtn's, but abrams creek that it follows was impressive and refreshing. It wasn't very rugged or extreme, but the distance is very good exercise.

My wife and I were passed by a group of teenagers that were wearing bandannas, and had their hats on sideways. My wife asked me if I thought they looked like a rough bunch. I sort of shrugged and commented that at least their mom ma's dressed them nice, and they like nature.

We trudged on maybe another mile, and we could hear sound of the water fall, and .... singing? As we came out of the woods, at the edge of the pool, there that rough looking bunch of teenagers were. Sitting at the falls singing in acapella. Actual picture I took. Yes that was one rough bunch. They sounded pretty good to.

 

BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA

There are trails galore -






Come on people - show us what you've got.

 

Did I say anything about canoe camping?
​

 

Cahokia Indian mounds with St louis Missouri in back groud behind Cheowa.

Chain of Rocks and old Hwy 66 bridge running across the Mississippi river, oh, and Cheowa too.

Not realy camping related, but Cheowa wanted in one.

 

That's fine with me. We are so blessed with splendour no matter where you go in the world.

 

Hiked a local trail this afternoon Laurel Run park in Churchill tn. I was mentioning morel "morchella" mushrooms on another post, so I thought I would go see if I could find any. My wife couldn't make it cause she wasn't feeling well. So this was the first time I ever went with out her.

The trail head starts on the southern end of Bays Mtn park, and connects after a couple of miles. as soon as you start up the trail you encounter a cabin and shed. I think these were further up the mtn and they brought them down for display. The trail was an old road in the early 1900's. Back then vehicles weren't used much, so roads through these hills were a little rough. The trillium were starting to bloom their heads off .

I was trying to get a selfie, but got soaked up to the knee I was trying to give some perspective to the creek. .

A water fall I didn't fall in on this one. Actually I didn't fall in,,,,, I slipped. .
Above the falls. .

We have lots of laurel here. Can't see the creek because it's so thick in places.

Used to be a homestead here. . You can see where they had lilies in the yard. Red buds blooming in background.

Made it across this creek with out falling in .

Oh well no shroooms. Maybe to early.

 

Loved the panorama of pictures - excellent choice. AND THANKS for posting the picture of the trillium - the Province of Ontario's official flower.

 

I didn't know that. I think it's a type of orchid. My wife good at flowers and plants. She be better by next weekend.

 

Saskatchewan Trails







Saskatchewan is a Prairie Province and though beautiful it is too flat land for me.

ANY THING FROM SOUTH AFRICA SASHA ?​

 

Another nice day for hiking, and this time with my wife. . The flowers were still blooming their heads off. Pictures just don't do it justice. .
Swimming hole about a half mile or so up. Gets used pretty good during the summer. .
Told my wife I should've brought my hammock. .
This is the only original house that remains in the park. I had electricity, so I would guess it was abandoned around the 60s before the park took it over.

Here we are leaving. We had a great 3 or 4 hour walk. .

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

New Brunswick - Fundy National Park




LUV TO SEE MORE TRAILS - LIKE MAYBE SOUTH AFRICA, ROMANIA, SCOTLAND?

 

This came to me as a real surprise the other day....
Did you know that we all see the same sun and moon?
Those breath taking moments when we stand in awe
of some glorious sunset or sunrise are universal.
ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL?

Let's see your neck of the woods.



​

 

Grayson Highlands State Park south west virginia.

I skipped out of work early, 2 am, Saturday morning so I could get a couple of hours of sleep before we left for Grayson Highlands. Even though it's only a little over 2 hours drive , 113 miles, from home I felt sleep was essential, so we could run from the wild ponies if we had to... yes these are wild ponies . This stallion has been named Fabio. These Assateague ponies were released in 1975 to graze on the balds of this mountain.

.
Of course you are not supposed to pet or feed them. I didn't see any one feeding them, butt.... sometimes one would walk right up next and brush against you, or if you aren't careful you might get used as a scratching post .

From parking lot the ponies are usually found about a mile up the trail where a sign says Don't feed or pet ponies. Ha. These are some fat ponies too. There were wild strawberrie patches, Blackberrys, and blueberries everywhere. The park ranger claim that they don't feed them, and that they are left to roam free. They do round them up once a year to vet them.

The hiking was great also. The Appalachian trail runs right through the area, and we were about 5 miles from Mount Rogers. There is a camp ground, and also back pack camping with permit.

This part of the Appalachian trail is more rocky then what I was used to in the Smokey Mountains Park. . . Of course that's me with my stupid floppy hat and dogwood staff. Cheowa stayed in the car, he's scared of ponies.

 

I forgot to mention you can take your horse and pets. The ponies don't mind them. You can even horse camp in the area. You would have to check on how much area there is for horse riding. I there are stables there and the balds run for miles.