Hike: Gregory Bald (Smoky Mountains) w/picts

[creeky]

(Hey Mods... it would be neat of we had a "The Great Outdoors" section for backpacking and nature related stuff. RVing, Boating, camping, backpacking, etc. Just a thought. )

Just got back from hiking to Gregory Bald, again, (and Parsons Bald) Sunday night. We went up Long Hungry Ridge trail, then across Gregory Bald then back down Wolf Ridge. Had a great time but my camera is going out and taking blurry pictures which was a MAJOR disappointment. Still I got some decent shots off.

Total of 15 miles. We took our time and made a 4 day three night hike.

We hit the woods at 5:30pm Thursday and pulled out at 1:00 pm Sunday.

Picture s below, then stats for any backpacking geeks.

(Click on images for a larger view.)

Here is our first night's campsite. (#92)

My tent is the Green one.

Another view of two other tents that

were with us.

View from across the bridge and the creek looking back.

My pack loaded up.

One of our guys with our pet "dog". He followed

us all around the bald. All you had to do is hold

your hand up and she would come right up to you.

(On top of Gregory Bald.)

Hazy view of Cades Cove from Gregory Bald. The last two times I have been up there it wasn't hazy a bit. Still a nice view though.

(Elevation is 4995 ft.)

Gregory Bald is full of Blueberry bushes.

They were AWESOME! And Sweeeeet!!

I was pretty happy to see that there were some

"Gregory Azelas" left in bloom on the Bald. They peak in the

last two weeks of June.

Artsy, Fartsy picture from Gregory Bald.

Another shot from the Bald.

Another Picture of our "dog".

Here she is nosing around my pack. If I had the

time I sure i could have taught her to fetch.

Me at the Bald.

The next morning me and my Bro-in-law hiked

back up to the Bald to watch the Sun rise. Really cool.

A great place to set when at the Bald.

A Spike in velvet and a doe. Again she came right up,

but the Lil' spike would only come within five feet and

we had to be really still for him to get that close.

Our tent at #13 Sheep Pen Gap

MORE Blueberrys!!! Yeah!!!

Eat too many... Crap like a goose!! BOOO!!!

Parsons Bald. It is not "maintained" anymore and is allowed

to grow. Full of Bluberries! Tons of them. Less plants than on "Gregory", but more berriess because less people go there I guess.

Saw this on Parsons Bald. Don't have any idea what it is but it caught my eye. Flaming Red! Really pretty. (But in a manly sort of way. LOL!)

Our packs at rest while we are playing around in the creek.

Quick shot of our creek heading down the trail.

Gratuitous water shot.

Okay... geeky backpacking stats...

• 15 miles total

• Saw: Bear, Deer, Flushed a covey of quail, rabbits, turkey, yellowjackets! LOL!

• Used my new Kelty Coyote 4750 pack (AWESOME!)

Stayed at campsites: #92, #13, #95

• Drive was about 500 miles round trip (WHich included the "Dragons Tail"... SUPER COOL, and WICKED AWESOME!)

• Other packs were 2 Kelty "Soar" packs, and 1 Kelty "Nimble"

• My tent is an Eureka Mountain Pas XT (No longer made.)

Pack weighed 25 Lbs. w/o water, about 30-32 lbs. w/water.

(I think I could have shaved a couple of more pounds though.)

• My stove is a "Coleman Peak One", other guys have "Jet Broils"

Hope you like the pictures.

[EMTRN]

That is nice and all, but come to Memphis if you want to see some real scenic beauty.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

Looks like a great trip! I wish I was closer to all the great hiking opportunities in East Tn.

I have a Jet Boil myself, probably the third best purchase I have made in hiking gear. #1 was a Thermarest TrailLite and #2 was a camelback.

[creeky]

I have a Jet Boil myself, probably the third best purchase I have made in hiking gear. #1 was a Thermarest TrailLite and #2 was a camelback.

I already had a decent cook set other wise I would have a jet broil

myself. Those things are awesome!

My next purchase is a new mat. I'm getting older and need more padding

that my foam I have now. I carry a 2 Liter water bladder as well.

I'll look into that "Thermarest TrailLite" for sure!

[Guest SUNTZU]

That looked like a great time Creeky. Thanks for telling me what your tent is, too bad they don't make it anymore. I'm in the market for a good backpacking tent. Have you ever used a hammock? My girlfriend wants a Hammock Bliss No See Um No More hammock. I want her to have a Hennessy, but they are pricey. Nice "dog" by the way.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

That looked like a great time Creeky. Thanks for telling me what your tent is, too bad they don't make it anymore. I'm in the market for a good backpacking tent. Have you ever used a hammock? My girlfriend wants a Hammock Bliss No See Um No More hammock. I want her to have a Hennessy, but they are pricey. Nice "dog" by the way.

The Hennessy is worth the money. I go camping with a guy who uses one and it is fantastic. It is near the top of my gear-to-buy list. Im currently using a Mountain Hardware Lightpath 3, which despite its name, is really a two person tent. I am happy with it, but if I had to do it again, I would buy a MSR Hubba Hubba. I have learned that I really prefer free-standing tents for quick setup, being able to pick them up and shake the dirt out, and I prefer the way the interior volume is distributed (much easier to sit inside and play some cards).

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

I'll look into that "Thermarest TrailLite" for sure!

If I have enough room in my pack, I also take one of the Thermarest Pillows.

They weight almost nothing, back up tight, and are 20x better than sleeping on some dirty clothes in a stuff sack.

In case you cant tell, I place a high priority on the quality of my sleep

[creeky]

No experience with Hammocks "Suntzu".

Seen some people use them though.

The dirty clothes in my tent bag is getting old for a pillow.

One night isn't bad. But after this last trip it get old on the third

night in. LOL!

I've heard really good stuff about the MSR Hubba Hubba. My wife is starting

to get the itch to go, so I'll be tent shopping again in a couple of years. If

not sooner.

[Guest SUNTZU]

I use the Kelty pillow. They sell it at Dick's for the same price as Campmor, 19.99.

http://www.kelty.com/Kelty/products.php?type=&id=88

I'm probably going to be getting the Hubba Hubba or the Mutha Hubba. I normally use a tarp for the weight, but want something that has room for two for, uh, playing cards. I stopped carrying my Brunton backpacking lantern, and only use a candle lantern. That candle lasts all night long and puts out pretty good amount of light.