Finishing the Map: The Final 100 miles

When you look at the "dollar map" provided by the park it really doesn't seem too much of a stretch to knock all the trails out in a relatively short amount of time. If you attempt to hike all the trails in the park you may even be encouraged with the quick progress you initially make. Its only until you get to the final 100 or so that you realize how many miles of trail GSMNP really has and how hard some of them are to get to. Truth be told I started my map in high school almost 15 years ago, thinking that within a few years I would be one of the select few who have hiked them all. Here I am now, still trying to knock off trails.

Caitlin and I decided we would try and finish my map this year, which would get her a pretty good start on her map as well. For round number 1 of the map project we picked something pretty easy, a few rambling miles near Fontana Lake.

For our second round of map miles we did some more logistical cherry-picking and did a nice loop off of straight fork road. This was a surprisingly nice hike with all the smokies elements, plenty of views, wildflowers, and creek walking. Unfortunately this is one of our last remaining easy short loops in terms of what I have left in terms of finishing the map.

The entire Cataloochee area is pretty much a blank spot for both of us. If we are able to get out on the trails again in the next few weeks were considering a figure eight type loop of caldwell fork trail, etc. at the end of Cataloochee road. If not Cataloochee, we will most likely be back over by the lake to clear some bits and pieces I have remaining over there. 

Spring Sprang Early and Now its Summer

Last night Dave and I were sitting at dinner when he said..."It's May...no matter what the calendar says"....These weird early spring days of 80 degree temps are really fantastic right now...but we are both afraid of what summer will bring us.

What spring has brought so far have been some spectacular running days...and I have even had a few chances to get on the trail and see whats blooming. Everything has bloomed WAY early (I mean yesterday Mountain Laurel was blooming on the hike we did...a full month ahead). But the wildflowers have been amazing.

Too many February days like this lead to the flowers below

One of my favs from this spring...thanks for the new camera Dave

Squirrel Corn

Painted Trillium...I just saw the second one peeking out from beneath it just now.

Buckley is a good hiker it turns out...on the AT in Cherokee NF

So...all things considered, spring has been fabulous so far. It looks like we have more hiking in our future, so hopefully more posts here as well. It has been pretty busy around the Worth house so we have definitely been neglecting the blog.

Maybe someday we will get back on track....see ya soon...Caitlin

Outran

At the end of the month Caitlin and I always compare notes on how much we ran, hiked, biked, or whatever. Its always fun to compare what we are doing against each other, last month, or the same month last year. Typically I run more than Caitlin three or four times over, but... for the first time ever...she got me this past month, pretty much doubled me in fact. To my defense I have been on backcountry patrol at work everyday, putting my hiking miles around 50 or so a week. This much time with a full pack on trail will diminish anyone's running mojo.

Anyway, here's my sorry March mileage:

Running Miles: 34
Hiking Miles: 155
Biking Miles: 105

On trail, off trail, and otherwise it was a good month despite the lack of running miles.