Hike 1281 10/30/03 I delayed my leaf viewing trip a couple of weeks later than I should have because most of the leaves had fallen from the trees at the Mt. LeConte elevations by the time that I chose to hike. There was still good leaf color at the lower elevations, especially near Asheville, NC. The Blue Ridge Parkway had a few nice spots of color although most of the leaves were on the ground.

The sky was blue and I had a good view of Mt. LeConte from the visitor’s center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, before crossing US route 19. I saw a few more colorful trees before reaching the overlook that had a view of the campground where Tillroe Smith has his camper. Before I checked into the Best Western Motel in Cherokee, NC, I stopped by Tillroe’s place to see of he had arrived. His truck was there but he didn’t answer any of the two doors that I pounded on. I later found out that he was sleeping behind a third door. I also wanted to check out the foliage up his way.

I found a very colorful maple tree and some beautiful chrysanthemums just outside my door at the motel in Cherokee. Tillroe Smith awoke from his sleep and came over to see if I had arrived. We took another drive across the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tillroe said that the leaves along this route just basically turned brown and dropped off. We discussed tomorrow’s hike. I was aiming for the first morning light and he said that his alarm clock was not working so he would catch up with me later.

I left the motel before 6:00 a.m. and caught the early sunrise near Newfound Gap. It was 38 degrees at the trailhead and enough light to hike safely as I left at 6:35 a.m. There was enough daylight to get a dim picture of Walker Prong, as I crossed the bridge at the trailhead. I took a short rest at Arch Rock and took another picture in the early morning light. The sun struck the trail before I reached Inspiration Point. I took a picture, using a deformed tree to block the direct sunlight. I paused at Inspiration Point and looked around at Little Duck Hawk, Myrtle Point and the Dolly Parton Peaks before moving on up the trail to enjoy the Eye of the Needle. Little Duck Hawk and the Eye appear different each time that you look at them. I struggled to climb the steep steps and trail to reach Alum Cave Bluff. The sky was really blue and I enjoyed the beauty as I took a short rest. A man from Del Rio, TN overtook and passed me there. Del Rio is in the mountains near Newport, TN.

The view from above Little Duck Hawk was nice but very little leaf color was visible. As I continued to climb toward Gracie's Pulpit. I had a good view of the Chimneys and some foliage color toward the Sugarland Visitor's Center. I had a nice view of Paul's Face from Gracie's Pulpit. This is the halfway point to the lodge. Two and a half miles each way. I am always happy to reach this point. It is a great place to take a rest if it is not too cold and windy. Today, I did not stop there.

Tillroe overtook me above the new log steps and I did stop to have a snack break at the three-mile point. I have to keep the blood sugar under control. Tillroe left the trailhead an hour after me and overtook me within three miles. Shortly after resuming our hike, we started meeting overnight guests from the lodge. There was a man and two ladies from Sevierville. I did not get their names but I did take their picture. Above the upper steps we met a couple from Waycross, GA that had moved there from Indiana. She wanted to move back to be near her grandchildren. I know what she means. I have four grandchildren and three of them have hiked Mt. LeConte. The youngest one, Charles, will hike it next year, I hope. I was very pleased to learn that my granddaughter, Laura Haythorn, hiked Mt. LeConte a week ago today with a friend from the University of North Carolina. I remember years ago Laura made the statement to me: "I will NEVER hike this mountain again." The fact that she did it on her own and brought a friend is special to me.

We met a couple of guys near Lu's Pulpit. I took their picture but completely forgot their names and where they were from. We met a couple from the Ozarks in Missouri at Trout Branch. We chatted about my cross country bicycle ride in which we rode through their area. Clingmans Dome was beautiful under the blue sky. All of the flowers were gone from Grassy Slide. A short distance up the trail, I saw a shattered tree stump. A strong twisting wind took it apart. I also noticed that Newfound Gap was visible through the trees.

We met Tim Line, the lodge manager, near West Point View. I asked Tim about how his son Nathan made out on the Appalachian Trail this summer. Tim said that Nathan had started with three friends at the end of May and Nathan finished, alone, at the end of September. One other youngster finished later but the other two dropped out. Tim, Lisa, Grace and Jacob drove up to Maine and brought Nathan back home. Tim hiked Mt. Katahdin with Nathan to finish the trail. Lisa, Grace and Jacob hiked until the boulders got too tough. Congratulations to Nathan. I hope that he will send me some thoughts about his great accomplishment. Tim asked me up for the lodge closing. I told him that if the trail was ice free, I would come on up.

Betty Jane Barnett's Stairway to Heaven was great. The view of Clingmans Dome and the Chimneys was very clear. I saw some more rock strata that reminded me of the Pan Cake Rocks in New Zealand. Margaret's place offered a great spot to take another picture of Tillroe Smith. He is so good looking, if you don't believe it just ask him. Normally he will tell you without asking.

The lodge was a warm 62 degrees and sunny. I filled my CamelBak before signing in and returning to the porch to eat my snacks. Tillroe enjoyed his food in a nearby rocking chair. Douglas Lake, Sevierville and High Top were in view. After finishing our snacks and replenishing our water supply, we headed back down the trail. 

Before reaching the site of the Old Horse Gate we met Tom Grubbs from Boaz, AL. He had visited my web site frequently. Tillroe took our pictures. We moved on down the trail but stopped and chatted with most folks that we met. We met three guys from the University of Georgia heading for the Shelter. I suppose that they didn't want to stay around and watch Florida beat up on their Bull Dogs.

Above the entry to the manway over Little Duck Hawk, I paused and viewed the parking lot at the Alum Cave Bluff Trailhead. We paused briefly at the bluff before heading on down toward the Eye of the Needle and Inspiration Point. We met a couple of guys from near Orlando, FL, there. We did see a few red leaves on our way down but they were nothing to brag about.

We reached the trailhead at 2:45 p.m. for an eight hour and ten minute trip for me. Tillroe did it in an hour less time. There were lots of hikers on the trail today. I would guess 250 to 300 total. We headed on our separate ways. Tillroe to his camper and me to the Best Western Motel in Newberry, SC to spend the night before completing my trip to Jensen Beach the following day. What a grand way to spend a few days. I really appreciate Tillroe driving up and hiking with me and all of the friends that I met on the trail.

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