|
|
Trail Notes
Signs of the Past:Some Thoughts on History in the Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are full of signs of the past. The Porters Creek Trail is an excellent area to see remnants of the past. The trail itself is an old road, used by the residents of Greenbrier. All along the lower half of the trail, stone walls are visible. They parrallel, intersect, and sometimes stretch away into the woods away from the trail. An interesting corral-like wall and a well-built foundation and stairway exibit the hard work of the people who lived here.
The trees also tell the story of these people. Tall, staight-as-a-pole tulip populars show where a farmers corn field once lay. Young, skinny hemlocks, such as those at the turn-around, show where a field or cleared area once was. Massive, old growth trees, like the yellow buckeyes below Fern Branch Falls, might mark an area where no logging or perhaps some limited selective logging took place. Such places where often used for cattle grazing.
However, my favorite sign of the past is located near Long Branch. An old automobile, it was suddenly abandoned in the early 30's by its owners, whose land had likely been bought for the new National Park. The car, probably an early Ford, was left in favor of horse and sled, due to the terrible condition of the road. Only the tires were taken, leaving the car body to rust away with time,young hemlocks growing up through its rusty parts.
|
|
Trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Flat Fork Falls Trail
Length: 4 Miles (to falls)
Difficulty: Moderate (creek crossings)
Location: Heinatoga Picnic Area on Balsam Mountain Road
Description: About 0.1 mile past the trailhead, the trail passes Heinatoga Overlook, then travels atop a narrow, open ridge, Makes descent through spruce grove to Flat Fork. Trail crosses stream 2-3 times on footbridges, then follows the stream to a short spur to the falls. Return same way. (Trail continues about a mile further to the road)
Highlights: The stream is an excellent spot to see rhododendrons in bloom, as well as cardinal flowers, amiathium lily, mosses, and many other high-elevation plants. Bears range in the high country during spring and summer, and are quite numerous in the Balsams. The red spruce near the begining of the trail are particularly large and majestic.
The main feature of the trail, the falls, is actually a very long and tall cascade. The tallest and steepest is located at the top, but there are many cascades scattered down slope. Access to these is difficult, best obtained by venturing down the right side. The trail on the left of the falls is not a trail, and very dangerous. Do not attempt to scale it. Enjoy the rushing water, but maintain caution.
Rough Creek Trail
Length: 2.8 miles(one-way)
Difficulty: Mod.(steep section, rocks)
Location: 7.3 miles from Fighting Creek Gap up the Sugarland Mountain Trail
Description:From the Sugarland Mountain Trail junction, the trail leads steeply down through shady hemlock forest, up above the valley of a small tributary. The path crosses several boulder-filled hollows, steadily winding down to Rough Creek. The trail crosses the creek, then crosses a tributary stream, winds down along Rough Creek, thewn crosses it again. From here the trail follows the grade of a flumeway built by the Champion Lumber Co. for a half mile or so.After veering slightly off of the grade the trail parallels the stream, then crosses it. The trail drops off into the woods away from Rough Creek, goes through a small clearing, then meets the Little River Trail. From here the road is 4.4 miles away.
Highlights: The upper section is very nice, with some large hemlock stands and moist coves.Rough Creek, which can be heard not far from the trailhead, acompinies the trail over most of its length. The creek is not as rough as its name would imply, but there are numerous small cascades, as well as many quite pools. The crossings are all easy, although I had to use a fallen log on one of them. However, I didn't even have to get my boots wet. This is a nice, somewhat remote route, and can be used to make a loop hike in combination with the Huskey Gap, Little River, and Sugarland Mountain Trails.
Chimney Tops Trail
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Mod.-Diff.(Rocky sections, steep rock scramble)
Location: Newfound Gap Road, north of Sugarlands Visitor Center
Description:
|
|
