Happy Bottom Hiking Club

When: Saturday, August 1

Time: 10:00 AM

Meet where: Indian Gap parking lot on the Clingman's Dome Road. We will carpool up to the Fork Ridge Trailhead where we will start.

Hike: John and I are calling this a Mt Collins hike although I don't think we can summit the actual mountain. Let me quote from Kenneth Wise's book. This quote starts at our end but the description is good:

"On leaving Indian Gap the trail enters shortly into an extensive basin that forms an upper corner of the vast Little River watershed. The terrain is virtually flat (let ME repeat that - the terrain is virtually flat so no whining) and the forest cover is composed almost entirely of red spruce, Frasier fur, and other species of the Canadian subartic. The ground is damp, if not wet, and covered with ayellowish green spongy humus that imparts an otherworldly pallor to this foreign environment. Where the firs are thick, a sweet, resinous aroma permeates the air." (let me repeat this - the terrian is virtually flat - his words not mine)

If you look at an elevation map it is mainly downhill with only a 600 foot total elevation loss. I didn't include going to the Mt Collins trail shelter which would add another 1.5 miles to the 2.5 mile hike. All this is very doable so I'd rate this a moderate hike. I'm even letting you sleep in with a 10 meet time. I've had heart surgery, fibromyalgia, diabetes and 70 kidney stones. If I can do you can! (Okay, get off your soapbox Scout Master) Another stroll in the woods.

What you need: Good hiking boots. If this is wet tennis shoes won't be a good choice. Lunch and snacks. Goes without saying but I will anyway, water. Even though the weather report says lower humidity and sunshine for K-town bring something for rain. The mountains can be difficult at times.

I'm estimating 3 to 4 hours taking our time.

RSVP if you're coming and we can figure our car pooling to save people gas (tip your driver please).

'nough said

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed Mt. Le Conte Backcountry Shelter and trails to the popular Cliff Tops area due to bear activity until further notice. At this time, trails leading to the summit of Mt. Le Conte remain open, but hikers are strongly encouraged to hike in tight groups of three or more and carry bear spray. Park wildlife staff are currently stationed onsite to monitor the situation.

On Sunday, May 17, one of the park's wildlife technicians encountered an aggressive bear near the trail to Cliff Tops that persistently approached and followed him for 0.3 mile. Loud noises and attempts from the ranger to scare the bear did not deter the bear’s repeated threatening advance. The bear followed him to the LeConte Lodge area before retreating into the forest.

"Hiking in bear country requires caution at all times," said Deputy Superintendent Clay Jordan. "We seldom fully close trail areas, but the unusually aggressive behavior exhibited by this bear warrants action by staff and special precautions by hikers."

Park officials urge everyone to exercise caution while hiking, camping, and picnicking to ensure their personal safety and to protect bears. Black bears in the park are wild and unpredictable. Though rare, attacks on humans do occur, causing injuries or death. Hikers are always encouraged hike in groups, closely control children, and carry bear spray. Taking these precautions become especially important when a notably aggressive bear is identified by park officials in an area.

Bears should never be fed and all food waste should be properly disposed to discourage bears from approaching people. Feeding, touching, disturbing, and willfully approaching wildlife within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces wildlife, are illegal in the park. If approached by a bear, visitors should slowly back away to put distance between the animal and themselves, creating space for the animal to pass. If the bear continues to approach, rangers recommend that you stand your ground together as a group and do not run. Hikers should make themselves look large and throw rocks or sticks at the bear. If attacked by a black bear, rangers strongly recommend fighting back with any object available and remember that the bear may view you as prey.

For more information on what to do if you encounter a bear while hiking, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/black-bears.htm. To report a bear incident, please call 865-436-1230.

Forest (drybrush effect)

Mountain camellias (Stewartia ovata) are beginning to bloom in the park. These small trees with beautiful white flowers grow in the forest understory and along streams. Also known as mountain stewartia and summer dogwood, the tree has a limited range and is considered to be rare. While it is found mainly in the southern Appalachian region, small, isolated populations also grow in a few other areas, including Williamsburg, Virginia, and northern Mississippi. In the park, look for several mountain camellias blooming along the Gatlinburg Trail.