The Tough Part...

The tough part was getting to the trailhead.

It snowed 32" last Sunday in the Smokey Mountains National Park. Three things happen to coincide: (1) I've been walking there since college, but never in deep, virgin snow, (2) the daytime air temperatures were reasonable... above freezing down on the ground, much above zero on top, and (3) it was the start of the Christmas holidays.

I checked to see if anyone would be interested in hiking with me and drew zero... all buddies are in committed relationships and had to be home for the holidays, where I did not. So, I Goggled and contacted a guide service, discussed plans, and drove to the Gatlinburg area. All roads in to the park were closed. Had to wait two days in a motel until the park service opened the main road to the trailheads on 441 (Cherokee Orchard road remained closed).

Even with a guide, we had little hope to make it in deep snow to the top of Mt LeConte... we started hiking up the A.T. in Newfoundland Gap, a familiar trail, and, sure enough, it was a lot of work walking in that knee-deep virgin snow. In 2 1/2 hours we got 1 1/2 mile in, which meant that the 10-mile Boulevard route was going to take at least a 16-hour day and night. We gave up, bagged a trophy sign, had lunch at a crossroad with a terrific view, enjoyed the gorgeous day, had fun trampling in the snow some more, and got back. Another terrific little adventure.

The tough part was getting started. As always. About everything.


- © 2009 by Willy