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View Full Version : Just finished a 2night, 3 day hike in the Smokies



Beckham
10-15-2012, 18:41
So this past weekend my dad, my brother, my friend, and I hiked around 30miles over 3 days in the Smoky Mountains.

First, we did the Chimney Tops trail which was 4miles.

Stream as we're headed up to the top.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/541098_449576918427035_2016702002_n.jpg

Once at the top, this is what it looks like before climbing the rock face:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576530_449576935093700_1327874474_n.jpg

On the rock face:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/190230_449577065093687_637511512_n.jpg

Looking down the rock face:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/425974_449577215093672_428702016_n.jpg

Climbing:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/545270_449577361760324_1667401450_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/602431_449577458426981_30175625_n.jpg

The view:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/523739_449577478426979_957544175_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577154_449578148426912_1567346017_n.jpg

The chimney tops:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404625_449578361760224_720005837_n.jpg

A picture showing the climb:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/546855_449578028426924_610931016_n.jpg

After Chimney Tops, we drove about 15min to Clingman's Dome to start our long hike.

Here's the trail map. Started at Clingman's Dome then went down Forney Creek trail (stayed at campsite #68) then back up Jonas Creek Trail to Welch Ridge Trail and stayed at the shelter at Siler's Bald then climbed 1000ft back to Clingman's.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3936376416_1709e1ab01.jpg

Old railroad track from when they used steam locomotives to pull logs in the 30's.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/564152_449578991760161_1610701842_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482949_449579108426816_728606757_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/430557_449579151760145_1560750393_n.jpg

LOTS of stream crossings. Had fun figuring our way across without getting wet.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/398225_449579311760129_1418799545_n.jpg

First night:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644642_449579615093432_717715233_n.jpg

More stream crossings the next day:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/527498_449579681760092_777460672_n.jpg

And we're climbing.....

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/545777_449580395093354_719518259_n.jpg

View from our hike on day 2:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404761_449580468426680_77193296_n.jpg

Hiked on part of the Appalachian Trail, too. About 5miles on the AT.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/424720_449580688426658_1024055968_n.jpg

Our shelter on Siler's Bald the 2nd night:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/559604_449585065092887_915003778_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/958_449580781759982_1891896789_n.jpg

Good thing Team Tight Butthole had been there before. :D

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/522373_449584725092921_2048904738_n.jpg

Keeping the bears away.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/485799_449584998426227_1025332774_n.jpg

Put a tarp up since the wind was 40ish mph. Wind chill got to about 30-35* on the second night.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/554006_449585108426216_509270108_n.jpg

Day 3, hiking the last 5miles back to Clingman's Dome on the mountain ridges.

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/543398_449585305092863_1598454486_n.jpg

The "we're hungry and tired" finished picture at the top.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560754_449585435092850_1147613839_n.jpg

Maddoxsjohnston
10-15-2012, 21:06
I dig those pictures. Looks like it was a fun trip. What was the coldest it got at night?Lol at the "team tight butthole" :D.

canoe
10-15-2012, 21:20
Great pics. thanks for sharing

ParkRat09
10-15-2012, 21:23
Was that second shelter Spence Field? I put up some tarps last time I was there with a group of thru-hikers I met and those look like them!

HooKooDooKu
10-15-2012, 22:20
IMHO, the view from Chimney Tops is the best view in the park. The reason is because you're not way up high above everything with everything to look at being miles in the distance. Instead you're under the tops of the mountains, with the mountains "in your face" because of the way you are out on a peninsula.

I have not been to the top since the area to the right at the top was closed. I can't tell from most of your pictures, but one looking back down the rock face looked like the park service might have blasted some steps into the rock to make it a bit safer to climb. Is that the case now?

Namaste
10-15-2012, 22:29
I love your photos. Thanks for posting. Sounds like a great trip.

Beckham
10-15-2012, 22:29
The coldest it got was probably 30-35* wind chill on Silers Bald. It was VERY windy up there.

The shelter in the pics is Silers Bald. There was a large toolbox behind the shelter that the tarp was in (along with a saw and many other great items!).

Beckham
10-15-2012, 22:41
It didn't look like they blasted out any steps on Chimney Tops, but I have never been up there before.

Josh Calhoun
10-16-2012, 10:00
cant see the pics.....bummer

Ewker
10-16-2012, 10:41
In the picture of the shelter with the tarps up it looks like someone was in a hammock camping :)

Beckham
10-16-2012, 10:53
Yup! Two gentlemen from Birmingham, AL were in hammocks behind the shelter. We had the shelter to ourselves that night. :D

Ewker
10-16-2012, 11:47
I'm sure they were glad to let you have the shelter

Miami Joe
10-17-2012, 03:29
Amazing colors. So jealous being stuck down here in the Bottom this time of year.

Sman
10-17-2012, 04:23
Great Pics-------------- sure you enjoyed the real deal!!