Gregory's Ridge Trail and Gregory's Bald Trail (and Parson Branch Road to make a loop)

Gregory's Ridge Trail and Gregory's Bald Trail (and Parson Branch Road to make a loop)
March 26, 2016
15.3 Miles Total
10.2 New Miles
645.57 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
46.6 Total Miles in 2016

Gregory's Ridge Trail 

(5 miles)

Gregory's Ridge Trail is uphill pretty much the entire way.  I would call it strenuous but not a complete butt kicker.  It is a beautiful trail and the view at the top is completely worth the climb. 

When you reach this sign you only have about half a mile to go and it is a tough half a mile.

Then you reach Gregory's Bald and realize why it was all worth it.  I could have just put my tent up and stayed forever.  Although we probably would have been blown away.  The wind is strong up there.  There are some very unique trees on top of the bald and the view is a complete 360 of the mountains.

We took Gregory's Bald Trail (5.3 miles) on the way down instead of going down the same way we came up.  This was one of my favorite trails I have ever hiked.  It was beautiful and so peaceful.  The descent wasn't steep so it wasn't hard on the knees.  

"I am most alive among the tall trees"

Abrams Falls

Abrams Falls
March 5, 2016
6 Miles Total
0 New Miles
635.37 Total Smoky Miles to Date (Since November 2013)
36.4 Total Miles in 2016

Finally got my mom to join me on a hike.  I took her to Abrams Falls.  It was a beautiful day.  A little chilly to start with but it warmed up quickly when we started hiking.  We decided to hike on for a few miles because that is one of my favorite trails.  It follows the river as it climbs steadily towards Hatcher Mountain.  We turned around at the first challenging creek crossing because I know the climb out can be exhausting, especially if you haven't hiked in years.  The next challenge is to get my brother on the trail.

In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.  -John Muir