Andrews Bald hike

[Guest aBRG2far]

Sunday my wife and I hiked to Andrews Bald on the NC side of the Great Smoky Mts Nat Park. Andrews is the highest grassy bald in the park at 5800ft. Balds are high elevation meadows used by early settlers for summer grazing, no one is sure how they formed. This trail begins at the parking area for Clingmans Dome, the highest point in TN straddling the TN/NC border as well as the Appalachian trail and descends down Forney Ridge. Yep descends, this trail starts off higher than it destination meaning the hard work comes on the way back after your already tired. Starting at 6280ft the trail drops 440ft over 1.8mi staying over a mile in elevation. 440ft is deceiving too as there is a 150ft hump the trail passes over before entering the bald.

When we arrived from the sunny and dry valley we were greeted by a passing sprinkle. Common at this elevation it only lasted 5 minutes and the sun was back out. Little did we know what Mother Nature intended for us. Notice the dead trees? They're spruce, killed by woolly aphids. They have really taken a toll on the high mountains.

Ready to go? Why not? The sun is shining, birds singing, its not to hot and lets get away from all those tourist. Here is the trail head, looks easy huh?

Here's my wife Robin at the start of the trail, she didn't get to go last month to Grotto Falls so she wanted to come this time. She'll be sorry she did. Just over an hour latter we'll be near hypothermia. Notice the trail? How nice and smooth with steps. That only last about 100yds, afterward its a cross between a rock pile and creek bed. For most a 3.6mi round trip would be considered a easy hike but the rockiness makes this particular trail more of a skills test where every step needs to thought out. Add the elevation and it easily makes it into a moderate hike. Coming out is akin to the stairmaster from hell.

Just over an hour and 1.5mi into our trip the sky darkened, lightening flashed, thunder boomed and it began to pour the rain. We took shelter under some larger spruce trees along the trail as we were soaked to the bone, as we stood there shivering with the 15 degree temperature drop we watch a tree inch wave of water come down the trail turning it into a stream. About that time hail began pelting us stinging our skin, the picture above was taken an hour after the storm and we were returning. The storn lasted about 20 min and we were able to continue. 15 minutes later we arrived at the bald.

Here I am soaked to the bone, but worth it. Rhododendrons and flame azaleas are in full bloom. The flowers and view are the reasons for going in June.

Robin all wet and the storm moving onto the northeast. The sun came out while we were there and it was beautiful.

[Guest aBRG2far]

Time to dry out. Me wringing out my socks, while getting some sun. I hung my shirt over a trail sign to dry while we ate. I've lost 80lbs since January and still got a long ways to go but I would have never been able to make this trip 6mo ago in my former condition.

The reason to hike here in September, wild blueberries. Along the trail thornless blackberries were just now blooming they ripen in August though.

But heres one of the reason for this trip. The rest of the pictures are of the bald and it views. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

[creeky]

Awesome Pictures!!!

I've been to Gregory Bald twice, but been over to Andrews Bald.

I'll be heading out again in a couple of weeks for 4 days, 3 nights, and

will be crossing Gregory bald again from the NC side.

Smokies are really neat. I had read that they are considered a rain forest

and always carry rain gear! LOL! Temp drops quick to.

Congrats on the weight loss. I dropped about 15 pounds last year...

then gained the crap back. <sigh>

I wanted to make it up there to see the azaleas in full bloom but'

things came up and we had to post pone our trip.

Edited June 27, 2008 by creeky

[Guest db99wj]

Great pictures, the topography on the west side of state....well sucks.

[Marswolf]

I haven't hiked the Smokies in some time. I'll have to get back to that.

Congratulations on the weight loss. That's fantastic.

[deerslayer]

Back in October, my brother and I went up to LeConte via Trillium Gap Trail, and came down the Rainbow Falls trail. My third trip up, I believe. We did the round trip in six and a half hours (almost 4000' elevation gain/drop, 15.7 miles total)--felt like crap afterwards, but can't wait to go back. For the first time in my life, my flat feet gave me problems. Also, for the first time in my life, I could not keep up with my brother, and that really pissed me off. I hope to eventually hike all the trails leading to LeConte. I still lack the Boulevard and Bullhead, but this age thing keeps creeping up on me.

Congrats on the 80 lbs! Keep up the good work!

Edited June 27, 2008 by deerslayer

[Shug]

Congratulations on the weight loss! Thats quite an accomplishment. I could use to lose some, how did you do it?

[Marswolf]

My first backpacking trip ever was in 1967 to LeConte. Back in those days you could pitch a tent in the clearing on the mountain. I don't think they let you do that these days. Bear got the food. and we slept in a dog tent my neighbor had. Went in on the Boulevard Trail and out the next day on Alum Cave Bluffs Trail.

That was the start of many trips in the Smokies, AT and other areas.

[Guest aBRG2far]

Congratulations on the weight loss! Thats quite an accomplishment. I could use to lose some, how did you do it?

I was going to die if I didn't change. At 423lbs I was borderline diabetic, high blood pressure, lethargic, ED, had sleep apnea, joint pain, acid reflux and spent half of almost every night sleeping upright in a recliner due to headaches. So I decided enough was enough and to do something about it.

I started an online food journal, fitday.com. Its free and tracts all your calories, protein, fat, carbs, nutrition and exercise. That's been my biggest help, to see just how much I was eating. All you do is enter the food and portion and it does the rest, with over 20K foods in its database and the ability to add custom foods it doesn't. It also lets others see your daily intake if you want too here's mine, http://www.fitday.com/WebFit/PublicJournals.html?Owner=scanaway . I bought a kitchen scale and started weighing and measuring my portions. I also quit eating fast foods and regular sodas. I still eat what I want with a few exceptions, I try to stay away from white foods, potatoes, bread, sugar, rice but will have some for lunch instead of dinner if I really want them. I started out with an intake of 2000 calories per day and as I progressed it has dropped about 100 per month to where I'm eating just under 1400 calories per day. I also take a multivitamin everyday.

I walk twice a day and am now up to 3mi total per day and swim laps 3 times a week for an hour each time. I just bought a weight bench to help me tone now that I'm running into lose skin. Last week I packed up a 30gal tub of clothes that are now to big for me. I hope to hit my 100lbs lost mark by the end of July, 7 months after I began.

Edited June 27, 2008 by aBRG2far

[Guest aBRG2far]

20 years ago before gaining my weight I climbed LeConte several times, I never did Trillium Gap or the Boulevard though. I have been to Charlies Bunion but that's as close as I've come to the Boulevard. Alum Cave is my favorite, I won't make it this year but going back to the top is one of my goals. I plan to go to the bluffs in the Fall. I've been doing one hike a month, slowly building up to longer and steeper ones. In April I did Laurel Falls. May, Grotto Falls. June, Andrews Bald. July, Mouse Creek Falls. August, Abrams Falls, and I havn't decided if I'll do Alum in Sept. or Oct.

[deerslayer]

20 years ago before gaining my weight I climbed LeConte several times, I never did Trillium Gap or the Boulevard though. I have been to Charlies Bunion but that's as close as I've come to the Boulevard. Alum Cave is my favorite, I won't make it this year but going back to the top is one of my goals. I plan to go to the bluffs in the Fall. I've been doing one hike a month, slowly building up to longer and steeper ones. In April I did Laurel Falls. May, Grotto Falls. June, Andrews Bald. July, Mouse Creek Falls. August, Abrams Falls, and I havn't decided if I'll do Alum in Sept. or Oct.

Congrats on changing your lifestyle for the better. Just out of curiosity, you plan on going up Chimney Tops? The last time I was up there, the tail end of the trail had washed out. Any news on that? If you can do Chimney Tops to the end, Alum Cave Bluff will be no problem. I'm jealous that you live so close to all these trails.

Keep working and keep us updated on your progress! Post some pics from each trail, too.

[Guest aBRG2far]

I have been to the Chimney Top a long time ago and is on my list for next year due to its steepness. I haven't heard or read of the trail being washed out there though. Trillum Gap to LeConte above Brushy Mt is the only one I know of thats closed.

[deerslayer]

My first backpacking trip ever was in 1967 to LeConte. Back in those days you could pitch a tent in the clearing on the mountain. I don't think they let you do that these days. Bear got the food. and we slept in a dog tent my neighbor had. Went in on the Boulevard Trail and out the next day on Alum Cave Bluffs Trail.

That was the start of many trips in the Smokies, AT and other areas.

On that same day we went up and down back in October, we went to Pigeon Forge to take a shower. We bumped into this guy who looked like he rode with General Lee, and he claimed that he frequently walked from the top of Leconte to what is now the Sugarlands Visitor Center way back when it had just become a National Park (he looked like he could probably still do it). He said he would hunt there as a boy, even after it became a National Park. He said the park rangers were a bunch of tenderfoot city slickers who were afraid to leave the trails, but nowadays, you can't get away with what he used to do because the current park rangers are a bunch of country boys. It was quite an entertaining conversation.

[deerslayer]

Trillum Gap to LeConte above Brushy Mt is the only one I know of thats closed.

What/when did this happen?

I always thought Chimney Tops was sooo high and a tough trail...until I finally went up to LeConte. I thought it was so cool that about 2/3 the way up Alum Cave to LeConte, you can look DOWN on Chimney Tops.

Edited June 27, 2008 by deerslayer

[Guest SUNTZU]

Thanks for posting this as well as the link. As some of the East TN guys know, I'm fat. I also backpack. I have just started reading the fitday website and will be signing up. I would love to lose 80 lbs...and need to lose that and more. Very motivational.

What do you carry in your pack? On day hikes, I carry a silicon impregnated tarp, emergency poncho, paracord, my Surge, firestarter and tender, some Clif bars, and a water filter, to name a few items. Because you never know what might happen.

Congratulations on the weight loss and thanks again!

[deerslayer]

Looking down on Chimney Tops:

[Guest aBRG2far]

What/when did this happen?

I always thought Chimney Tops was sooo high and a tough trail...until I finally went up to LeConte. I thought it was so cool that about 2/3 the way up Alum Cave to LeConte, you can look DOWN on Chimney Tops.

It was closed last month and was posted on the trail when I went to Grotto. The llamas were useing Bullhead to supply the lodge. It may be open now but I'd check with the Sugarlands before going.

[Guest aBRG2far]

Thanks for posting this as well as the link. As some of the East TN guys know, I'm fat. I also backpack. I have just started reading the fitday website and will be signing up. I would love to lose 80 lbs...and need to lose that and more. Very motivational.

What do you carry in your pack? On day hikes, I carry a silicon impregnated tarp, emergency poncho, paracord, my Surge, firestarter and tender, some Clif bars, and a water filter, to name a few items. Because you never know what might happen.

Congratulations on the weight loss and thanks again!

Your welcome, its amazing to see where the calories are coming from. At my former weight I had to ingest over 3200 cal a day to maintain that size, until I broke it down I didn't think I was taking in that much.

So far I've only went 3.6mi roundtrip and have only taken a Rouge Camelbak with a altoid tin kit, digital camera and a few snacks. I want a Alpine Camelbak since I'll start 4-5mi ones starting next month. I should have been better prepared in stead of getting caught out in a hail storm.

[Marswolf]

I did something somewhat similar on the weight thing back in the 70s. I was only a few pounds overweight, but wanted to get back down to an optimum weight. I got a good nutrition table book. Every time I put anything into my mouth, I looked up the calorie count and added it to my page for that day.

Just keeping a running total made me aware of stuff like how many calories I was adding to a salad by including a tablespoon of those little canned salad shrimp.

[Guest bkelm18]

I used Fitday back when I had to lose about 50 lbs before going to boot camp. It really helped alot seeing where your calories were coming from and where they were going. Sadly, I've gained all that weigh back but someday I'll get back to it.