Old Settlers - Gabes Mountain Backpack

New Miles Completed: 20.3
Total Miles Hiked: 22.4
2-day / 1-night Backpack, 27-28 December 2017

I love winter in the Smokies. No bugs, fewer people, great views because the leaves are off the trees... It's a great time to get in some good trail mileage. I had intended to this chunk of trails earlier in the fall as a 3-day / 2-night trip with overnight stays at backcountry campsites #33 and #34. But #34 was closed for much of the fall because of aggressive bear activity, so that plan never came to fruition. SO - I decided to make a 2-day winter trip out of it. My sweet wife helped me drop my car off at Cosby campground, and then shuttled me over to Greenbrier to drop me off at the Old Settlers trailhead.

At the Old Settlers trailhead

The Old Settlers trail winds in and out, and up and down through ridges and valleys that were heavily settled prior to the establishment of the Park. A few things stand out to me about this trail:

1. If you just look at the trail profile, it really doesn't look difficult. I found it to be harder than I expected, with lots of ups and downs, some of them fairly steep. (I also had a pretty full backpack with my winter gear, which I'm sure contributed to the difficulty level)

2. There are SO MANY cool old homesites with rock walls and chimneys all over the place - this is especially true of the middle of the trail - between campsite #33 toward Gabes Mountain trail.

3. There are also SO MANY creek crossings. There is one crossing near the Gabes Mountain end that has a bridge, but all others are not bridged. But all of them were also easily rock-hopped at least at the water level this time of year.

4. There are also SO MANY blow-downs across the trail, and many sections where the trail is very narrow, and plants crowd the edges of the trail. The blow-downs made for slow-going, and it was difficult to effectively use trekking poles in the crowded sections.

Day 1: 6.7 miles - Greenbrier to Backcountry Campsite #33 (Settlers Camp)

I left the trailhead at Greenbrier at about 12:30, and made it to the campsite around 3:30. This included lots of stops for pictures of rock walls and chimneys, and numerous creek crossings. There are also several old cemeteries in this section of the park. One of them is just off of the Old Settlers trail and you can't miss it - the Green Cemetery. There is a sign nailed to a tree pointing out the side trail to the cemetery, and spray-painted arrows on the trees pointing the way.

Sign to the side trail to the Green Cemetery

Spray-painted arrows point the way

Minerva Green - 1845 to 1910

Juxtaposition of an old slate-rock headstone with plastic flowers

There are also lots of places where other (unmaintained and unofficial) trails come in to meet the Old Settlers trail. There must have been a big system of trails between homes & communities in this area. Luckily, at nearly all of the dubious junctions where one might get lost there are signs that point you in the direction of the "real" trail.

Directional sign to keep you on the Old Settlers trail instead of veering off on to an old manway

Backcountry campsite #33 is just awesome. There are sites on either side of the trail. One is literally just off of the side of the trail on the north side, and the other is further back in the trees away on the south side of the trail. The campsite has its own old chimney and rock wall in keeping with the nature of this trail. I opted to stay in the north-side site because it has a great fire ring area, and sits right above the creek.

Backcountry Campsite #33 - Settlers Camp

Old chimney in campsite #33

Fire ring at campsite #33, complete with rock chairs

I got in to camp, got my tent set up and commenced to gathering firewood. I knew it was going to be a pretty cold night, so I wanted to be sure to have a good fire going so I didn't have to go to bed at 6 pm!

I got a good stack of firewood ready, and got my fire going. Had dinner (Mountain House Rice & Chicken - it was pretty good!), and then Oreos for dessert.

Nothing like a nice fire and some Oreos for dessert to make a good night in camp

I managed to make it to about 8 pm before I got cold enough, and tired enough to hit the sack. Climbed into my 0 degree sleeping bag and quickly fell asleep.

Day 2: 15.8 miles - Backcountry Campsite #33 to Cosby Campground

Brrrrrrrrr....  15 degrees at 8 am when I finally got the courage to get out of my sleeping bag.

8 am Thursday morning - 15 degrees F

I got up & got moving to stay warm. Mountain House biscuits and gravy for breakfast (forgot my coffee though :-/  Not a good way to start the day). Got my gear packed up and was on the trail by 9 am.

This section of the trail is especially rich with rock walls and chimneys from homesteads that were here before the Park. It's quite literally a walk through history. I was imagining the lives of the people who lived here, and how difficult things must have been. Imagine living in a drafty log cabin with nothing but one small fireplace for heat when the temperatures are down in the teens...

Chimney at an old home site 

Rock walls lining the trail

There are LOTS of ups and downs in this part of the trail, and lots of creek crossings. I love trails that follow or cross creeks in the Smokies - there is something really magical about the sound of a mountain stream. And this time of years there is the bonus of really cool ice formations forming at the edges and on overhanging branches.

Directly after one creek crossing you get to a rock wall. A sign directs you to the right (south) to stay on the Old Settlers trail, or left (north) toward the Tyson McCarter place. This is well worth the short side trip to see. There is an old barn that the park service is clearly working to preserve, and then a little further on down the trail is the homesite complete with old chimneys and a still-standing spring house.

"Tyson McCarter Place. Built about 1876"

Tyson McCarter barn

Tyson McCarter spring house

From here I continued on up and the down the roller coaster of the Old Settlers trail, and then finally pulled in to junction of Old Settlers with Gabes Mountain and Maddron Bald trails about 1:00. Stopped here for lunch, and chatted with a few pairs of day hikers who were going up Maddron Bald trail. At this point I had already come about 9.2 miles and had 6.6 left to go.

Gabes Mountain trail sign at jct w/ Old Settlers & Maddron Bald trails

Beginning the climb up Gabes Mountain trail

The first mile and a half of Gabes Mountain climbs about 800 feet reasonably gently to reach the top of the ridge. This part of the trail is on a north-facing slope, so it doesn't receive much sunlight. It was colder and snowier than anything I had yet been on. It was a walk through pleasant forest lined with Rhododendron and Hemlock trees. The only downside is that the trail is REALLY rooty, especially on the eastern side between Cosby and Henwallow Falls. You've got to watch your step or you could take a tumble by catching your toes on the roots.

Interlacing roots on the Gabes Mountain trail

Shortly after cresting the ridge the trail comes to backcountry campsite #34 - Sugar Cove. I didn't stop to explore, but from the trail it looks like a really nice campsite. Lots of open spots, and it sits on a spot just above a stream.

Backcountry campsite #34 - Sugar Cove

From here the trail meanders gently up and down along the ridge. This was very nice walking, although the trail is often narrow and sits directly along the side of the ridge. There are several streams that cross the trail, sometimes with amazing ice formations.

Frozen trailside beauty

Ultimately the trail brings you to the side trail down to Henwallow Falls. I've been to Henwall Falls a few time previously, and debated about whether or not I should take the time to go down and see it again. But man, am I glad I did. Henwallow is really more of a cascade than a falls, with water cascading down a sheer rock face. With the frigid weather the sides of the falls were draped in icicles - absolutely breathtaking!

View down into the valley outside the Park from Henwallow Falls

Side trail to Henwallow Falls

Frozen Henwallow Falls - absolutely breathtaking!

From here it was just 2.1 miles to the Cosby picnic area and my car. Luckily, it's also almost all downhill from here. I saddled up and headed down the trail. This section of the trail is more well-traveled than the western end because a lot of folks day hike from Cosby campground up to Henwallow Falls.

Ultimately, right at 5 pm I ambled in to the Cosby picnic area to my car. What a couple of days! The weather was cold, but enjoyable. The trail was challenging, but beautiful and full of amazing history. I'm so glad that I get to call this area home, and that the Smokies is in our big back yard.

I made it! 22.4 miles in 2 days from Greenbrier to Cosby.

It was a great way to end this year of hiking. Looking forward to more and more in 2018. 

Til next time, happy hiking!

Twentymile - Long Hungry Ridge - Gregory Bald - Wolf Ridge - Twentymile Loop - Lost Cove Backpacking Loop

New Miles Completed: 21.4 (and 5 new trails completed!)
Total Miles Hiked: 30.7
3-day / 2 night Backpack, 17-19 Oct. 2017

There is no bad time to visit the Smokies... But October may well be the BEST time to visit. Warm days, cool nights, not much rain, lots of sun. And, of course, when the leaves start to change color the views are incredible.

I took advantage of a free week to do a short backpacking trip in the western end of the park on the North Carolina side. I did this odd clover-leaf configuration to get as many trails in as possible with as little backtracking as possible. Overall I think it worked out well. Many of the trails in this section are steep, so there was lots of up and down, but that's the Smokies.

Day 1:  Twentymile Ranger Station to Gregory Bald via Twentymile, Long Hungry Ridge, and Gregory Bald trails.

Day 1 route

 I arrived at Twentymile Ranger Station around 10:30 am, and there were several cars in the parking area. October is a busy time in the park. If you are coming from Knoxville to get here, you invariably have to come over The Dragon - U.S. 129.  318 curves in 11 miles. Zillions of motorcyclists & sports car enthusiasts. Luckily on a Tuesday morning it was not too crowded.

Beginning of the trip selfie.

The weather forecast was perfect. Highs in the 60s/lower 70s, lows in the lower 40s, and all sunny days.

Bridge over Twentymile Creek @ junction with Wolf Ridge trail

Twentymile trail is an old railroad bed, built by the logging company that extracted timber from this area of the park in the 1920s-30s. Because it's an old rail bed the trail is wide and smooth and the grade is pretty gradual along the lower parts.

Twentymile trail - Wolf Ridge trail junction

 After just 0.5 miles you reach the first trail junction. Wolf Ridge trail goes left (due north) up to Gregory Bald, while Twentymile trail turns east and then northeast. I followed Twentymile trail from here up toward Proctor Field Gap.

Twentmile Cascade

Twentymile trail follows Twentymile Creek, and along the way there are LOTS of beautiful cascades along its length. There is a short side trail to this one, which is just after the trail junction. The trail crosses the creek several times in this 2.6 mile section, always on large & sturdy bridges that must be leftovers from the rail line days.

Along the way Twentymile trail passes backcountry campsite #93 (Twentymile Creek Campsite). There was an aggressive bear warning for this campsite when I came through, although it was still open. It is near the creek, but seemed small, and was directly off of the trail - not a terrible site, but not one I would be super enthusiastic about staying in.

Trail junction at Proctor Field Gap

Twentymile trail continues this way - a nice wide trail with a gentle grade - up to Proctor Field Gap where the Twentymile trail, Twentymile Loop trail, and Long Hungry Ridge trail all come together. Sadly, somebody had obviously recently used this spot as an illegal campsite. There was a big fire scar and chunks of half-burned wood, along with a few piles of used toilet paper... Grrrrr.

After a short break for a snack and a drink I turned north here on the Long Hungry Ridge trail on toward Gregory Bald. I've been both excited and nervous to do this loop for a while. Long Hungry Ridge trail gains 2200' in elevation over 4.5 miles, and most of that elevation gain is concentrated in the middle 2.5 miles. In the first 1.5 miles or so the trail retains the gentle grade and creek crossings of Twentymile Creek. 

Backcountry Campsite #92 - Upper Flats

Backcountry Campsite #92 - Upper Flats

A little over a mile from Proctor Field Gap the trail runs into Backcountry Campsite #92 (Upper Flats Campsite). This is a big, open, and beautiful campsite that sits right on the creek. The trail runs essentially straight through the campsite - and be sure not to miss the sharp left turn of the trail as it goes through the campsite. This campsite was closed because of aggressive bears when I went through. Directly after the campsite the trail makes a couple of unbridged creek crossings that apparently can be difficult if the water is high. This is where the name "Long Hungry Ridge" comes from - a group of bear hunters got trapped up on the ridge because they could not find a place to safely cross the creek to get back down. Luckily in October the water is pretty low and I easily rock-hopped across.

Shortly after CS #92 the trail starts to get steeper and narrower. It travels through beautiful forest, and I was happy to see lots of chestnut stump sprouts along the way. American Chestnuts (Castanea dentata) were wiped out by an invasive pathogenic fungus back in the early 20th century. The stumps continue to send up sprouts that can get fairly large (10-15 feet tall and 2-3 inches in diameter) before they too succumb to the fungus. But seeing them always gives me hope that Chestnuts may someday become a part of our forest again.

American Chestnut stump sprout

Steep & narrow upper section of Long Hungry Ridge trail

The closer I got to the top, the narrower and more closed in the trail seemed to become. Finally, about 3.5 miles up the trail you reach the Rye Patch - this is the flat-ish top of the Long Hungry Ridge that was once planted in rye grass. I was expecting a grassy bald, but it was basically just a nice flat section of dry ridge top. Very welcome hiking after coming up the ridge.

Long Hungry Ridge - Gregory Bald trail junction

Gregory Bald - Gregory Ridge trail junction

The Long Hungry Ridge trail ends at the Gregory Bald trail. I turned left (west) here on the Gregory Bald trail toward Gregory Bald. In just a minute or two you reach Rich Gap - the junction of Gregory Bald trail with Gregory Ridge trail which comes up the north side of Gregory Bald from Cades Cove.

Old trail to Moore Spring

At Rich Gap there is another faint trail that seems to lead directly south with just a cryptic sign that says "No Horses." I had read elsewhere that this was the trail that led to Moore Spring - a famous spring that always seems to have a strong flow, even in dry weather. Also, there was once a shelter near the spring, and I hoped to find both the spring and the remains of the shelter. So I followed the faint trail behind the sign.

Moore Spring

Eventually (maybe a quarter mile?) the old trail does indeed lead to Moore Spring which is in a beautiful little clearing. I stopped here to refill my water bottles and to have some lunch. The spring has a metal pipe inserted to direct the water, and it was flowing great! I looked around a little, but did not find the remains of the shelter. From the spring there is a continuation of the trail that leads up the hill toward Gregory Bald. This comes out on the Gregory Bald trail partway up the hill toward the bald.

At the top of Gregory Bald I dropped my pack and enjoyed taking in the views, sitting and reading in the sunshine, and just relaxing. At this point it was only 3:30 pm, and the campsite was just on the other side of the bald so I took my time to enjoy being on top of the world.

View looking north from Gregory Bald

Gregory Bald USGS marker: 4949 feet above sea level 

View looking south from Gregory Bald

After relaxing on top I headed downhill to Backcountry campsite #13 (Sheep Pen Gap) just on the west side of Gregory Bald. Got set up and met some great folks. A group of 5 guys who have been hiking and camping together in the Smokies every October for 30 years! Enjoyed hanging out around the fire with them in the evening. Watched the sunset from Gregory Bald, ate dinner & went to bed!

Campsite #13 - Sheep Pen Gap

Day 2:  Gregory Bald to Lost Cove via Wolf Ridge, Twentymile Loop, Twentymile, and Lost Cove trails.

Day 2 route 

Rolled out of bed at 8 am, had breakfast, broke camp, and was on the trail by 9 am. Wolf Ridge trail begins right at campsite #13 at its intersection with Gregory Bald trail. The first mile coming down is pretty flat, rolling along the top of Wolf Ridge and out to Parson Bald (which isn't very bald anymore). There were a few patches of frost on the grass, but I was comfortable hiking in shorts & a t-shirt.

Wolf Ridge - Gregory Bald trail junction @ campsite #13

Wolf Ridge trail along the top of the ridge

A little bit of frost in the morning!

Parsons Bald - not very bald anymore.

Past Parson Bald the Wolf Ridge trail takes a sharp turn and starts down. It loses about 3000' of elevation from Parson Bald down to the junction with Twentymile Loop trail and descends pretty relentlessly. The forest that it travels through is very pleasant, and is mostly ridge-side walking through open woods.

Cool fungi growing on the side of a standing dead tree along Wolf Ridge trail.

The middle section of Wolf Ridge is nice, but fairly unremarkable. It took me a little over 2 hours to descend to the side trail to CS #95 (Dalton Branch Campsite) about 4.5 miles below Gregory Bald. I took the side trail (maybe a quarter mile?) out to CS #95 for a break. It's a really nice campsite - it sits directly on the creek Dalton Branch, and has lots of good tent spots.  It's pretty big and has a nice campfire area. Seems like a nice place to spend the night. I spent 45 minutes having a snack break and reading.

Side trail to CS #95

Campsite #95 - Dalton Branch Campsite

Campsite #95 - Dalton Branch Campsite

Dalton Branch - water source for CS #95

Wolf Ridge - Twentymile Loop trail junction

Leaving CS #95 the Wolf Ridge trail follows Dalton Branch for almost another mile down to its junction with Twentymile Loop trail. At this junction I turned east onto the Twentymile Loop trail heading 2.9 miles over toward Proctor Field Gap.

From this side the Twentymile Loop trail crosses Moore Spring Branch and then climbs up a ridge over it's first 1.5 miles. It then meanders up and down along a ridge side before crossing into the Proctor Branch watershed, crossing the creek over several log bridges. I passed SO MANY piles of bear scat on Twentymile Loop trail that I was tempted to start keeping track (but I didn't...). Clearly this is a bear thoroughfare and I was hopeful that I might spot one too (but not TOO close...).

I reached Proctor Field Gap and the junction with Twentymile trail and stopped to take a break. RIGHT after I put my pack back on and started up the Twentymile trail I heard a noise behind me and there was a bear, snuffling around right where I had put my pack when I was resting... 

He was a big guy, but other than being slightly curious, didn't seem to have any interest in me. He wandered around a bit and then went up the Twentymile trail - the same direction I was supposed to be going! I let him get a good head-start on me before following him up the trail several minutes later. I passed him further up the trail - he had gone up the side of the ridge, and paid me no mind as I passed on.

Twentymile trail sign @ Proctor Field Gap

 The section of the Twentymile trail above Proctor Field Gap gets much steeper than the lower section. It gains about 1200' in 2 miles on its way up to the Appalachian Trail at Sassafras Gap. The trail here still has the hallmarks of an old road or rail bed - but it sure is steep! As you ascend you get views to the right (southeast) of the main ridge of the Smokies rising from Fontana Dam, including the ridge of the Appalachian Trail. I got a brief glimpse through the trees of the Shuckstack Firetower, which I would visit the next morning.

View of Shuckstack Fire Tower from the upper part of Twentymile trail.

Junction of Twentymile trail, Lost Cove trail, and Appalachian Trail @ Sassafras Gap

After huffing and puffing my way up to Sassafras Gap, and taking a few minutes to rest, I saddled up and got ready to head down the Lost Cove trail toward campsite #91 (Upper Lost Cove Campsite). Just as I was about to start down, another backpacker came up Lost Cove and said "Hallelujah! I made it to the top. This must the steepest damn trail in the whole park!" Knowing that I had to go down it today, and then back up the next day, his comments didn't make me feel very excited...  But I headed down anyway. And he was right - the top mile and a half or so are about the steepest I've encountered in the Smokies. There were places I was using my trekking poles just to keep from sliding down the trail. When the trail hooks up with Lost Cove Creek (which it criss-crosses several times) at about 1.5 miles the gradient flattens out a little bit, but it's still fairly steep.

Backcountry campsite #91 - Upper Lost Cove Campsite

Backcountry campsite #91 - Upper Lost Cove Campsite

I finally rolled into CS #91 about 4:30 pm after a 12 mile day with lots of ups and downs. There were tents, hammocks, etc. all set up in the campsite, but no other campers. The guy who told me how steep Lost Cove trail was had also told me that the guys staying in the campsite were out fly-fishing, AND that there were so many unbridged creek crossings below CS #91 that I should just put on my water shoes and hike in them... Turns out he was right on all counts!

So I set up my tent, hung my pack on the bear cables, put on my water shoes and hiked the 0.7 miles down to the end of Lost Cove trail. There were at least 7 creek crossings, and none of them had bridges. I just waded across in my water shoes and enjoyed the feeling of the icy cold water on my sore feet.

Unbridged crossing of Lost Cove Creek

Lost Cove - Lakeshore trail junction

CS #91 was really nice. It has a stated capacity of 4 on the backcountry permit system. Not sure why because it seems like it could easily accommodate twice that many campers. The trail runs right through the middle of the campsite, but it has several reasonable tent sites and a very nice fire ring area. It sits just above Lost Cove Creek for water.

The other campers finally came back to camp after dark having been fly-fishing on Eagle Creek all day. They didn't catch any fish, but it sure seemed like they had a great day. Three guys from Michigan who camp together every year in different places around the eastern US. They were using this campsite as their home base and doing day hikes and fishing trips out of here to take in as much of the park as they could. We had a great time sitting around the fire and sharing experiences together.

Day 3:  Back to Twentymile Ranger Station via Lost Cove, Twentymile Loop, and Wolf Ridge trails.  With a short side-trip on the AT to visit the Shuckstack Firetower.

Day 3 route

Getting out of bed on day 3 I was dreading the trip back UP Lost Cove trail. But I was out of bed by 8, and on the trail by 9, and while it was tough it wasn't as bad as I had feared. I took plenty of rest breaks and just plodded along. It was tough, but not awful. Plus, I was excited to get to the top and the AT!

At Sassafras Gap I hopped on to the AT and went south a little ways to the side trail to the Shuckstack Firetower. The last time I had come this way was back in 2000 when I hiked the western section of the AT through the park (Newfound Gap -> Fontana Dam). I remember stopping at the firetower and thinking it was pretty rickety back then, 17 years ago. I was curious to see what kind of shape it was in now. The AT from Sassafras Gap to Shuckstuck rises gently but steadily for about a half-mile to an unmarked side trail that leads to the tower. If you didn't know it was there you could easily walk right by this spot and wonder where the side trail leads. Despite the fact that the tower is directly overhead, you cannot see it through the trees.

I'm happy to say that the tower is still in pretty good shape. One of the side rails on a stair section has fallen off, and the flooring in the top of the tower is pretty sketchy, but the stairs themselves are all in good shape. If you're afraid of heights it can be a scary experience - there is not a lot of metal between you and a fall at some of the stair landings, but the views are amazing and worth it!

View of Fontana Lake from Shuckstack Firetower

Shuckstack Firetower

It was exhilarating to be on top and have a 360 degree view in the bright sunshine! The foundation and chimney of the old fire warden's cabin is still there, and clearly it's used as a stealth campsite. I spent about a half hour here enjoying the views and imagining the lives of the people who lived and worked here. I met one guy here who was just starting his through hike of the AT through the park - he was headed north to Davenport Gap. And a couple who were on their way out of the park having started on the AT at Newfound Gap a few days prior and who were heading out to Fontana Dam.

I packed up and headed back north on the AT, back to Sassafras Gap and the Twentymile trail again. Most of my day was backtracking: up Lost Cove, then down Twentymile, then across Twentymile Loop. In order to finish off all of these trails I had to include this backtracking to get back to Wolf Ridge trail to to the last 1.1 miles of Wolf Ridge going back toward Twentymile Ranger Station.

Wolf Ridge - Twentymile Loop trail junction

One of several footlog bridges on Wolf Ridge trail

This last little section of Wolf Ridge trail parallels and crosses Moore Spring Branch. Much like Twentymile Creek on the other side of the ridge, Moore Spring Branch is a beautiful mountain creek with lots of pretty cascades. There were lots of crossings, all of which had footlog bridges, some of which were obviously very new. I'm always amazed and grateful for the work put in by the park employees and volunteers to make the GSMNP backcountry experience awesome.

At long last I arrived back at the Wolf Ridge - Twentymile trail junction, just 0.5 miles from the Ranger Station, and shortly back to my car.

What an amazing trip. This section of the park is both beautiful and rugged. There was a lot of elevation gain and loss on this trip and I'm so glad I got to experience it all. The camping was a blast, both #13 and #91 are really great campsites. I'd love to go back and stay in #92 and #95 someday too. It felt really good to get this big chunk of trail done on this end of the park. Now I've got to set my sights on some of the other North Carolina sections, again with some multi-day backpacking trips. My only regret is that the fall colors have not yet come into their magnificence. So while the views were amazing, they will only get better with time. Probably going to be late October before the fall colors peak this year.

Til next time, happy hiking!