Great Smoky Mtns, and NC Waterfalls

[grouseking]

I took a vacation to Asheville, NC this past week and did a couple nice hikes, one from Newfound Gap on the TN/NC border along the AT to Charles Bunion, then a quick jaunt up Clingmans Dome. Earlier in the week I went to a place called the Dupont State forest to check out a bunch of waterfalls in the rain. Warning lots of pictures coming.....

I'll start out with a friend we met along the way on the AT.

This bear was far too easy around people...the only way I could get it off the trail was to bang my poles and give it a taste of its own medicine...I bluff charged him briefly. THe bear jumped back, then slowly made its way off trail. Then we walked by as loud as possible. I was at least 15 feet beyond where he moved off trail, and I saw my girlfriend and her friend looking to see if they could get one more pic. I said....LET's GO!!! Then he hissed at them which sent us running. That is not a good experience if you ask me. Smokies bears are definitely far too used to people. One more pic...

Back to the hike...we started at Newfound Gap, which had great views by itself. If I didn't hike, I would have gotten my views, cheating.

We started at 5000 feet, so the elevation gain was pretty mellow. But humidity was high, so I was swimming in sweat anyways.

Flower littered AT

Smokies looking smoky

After about 1.5 hours, we had lunch at Icewater Shelter, looked nice!

I was told once that the AT is the most boring part of the Smokies, but there were quite a few views along some narrow exposed ridges. If this is considered boring, I want to explore elsewhere.

Getting close to Charles Bunion

Lots of exposure here!

i wanted to get out onto that rock but it would have meant hugging a cliff next to a super drop.

A lot more coming!

 

[grouseking]

Time for some more!

More spectacular views

Feet view

Headed back, the climb up back to the shelter was pretty easy, and then the trek back to the car was also quite simple. It gave us time to look around, and seeing what wild boar do to the side of the trail is pretty crazy. Looiks like they rototilled the dirt.

Are we in New england? Nooo, at 5500 feet in NC/TN

Next on the agenda, a drive up to the Clingmans Dome parking lot to take the paved path up to the summit. The trail was a stiff climb, but it went by quickly. I didn't dilly dally because there were thunderstorms popping up left and right.

Ex of thunderstorm popping up

A look at Clingmans Dome and lots of dead fraser firs

Stay away please

Looks like a ride...

Super hazy view from the top...I think that is Mt Leconte in the distance.

I was hearing thunder

I high tailed it back to the parking lot. Thankfully the clouds cleared a bit as I headed back and the weather stayed nice the rest of the day. More pics in a minute.

 

[grouseking]

Elk and Blue Ridge Pkway

I had read about Elk in the Smokies, but I never thought I would actually see them. Well, I thought wrong!!

I'm really not THAT close.

Finally, you look at me! Yum...

And finally, a great way to end the day...along the Blue Ridge Parkway...

Mellow at 5000 feet

allrighty, one more picture barrage coming!

 

[grouseking]

Dupont State Forest Waterfalls

There are a multitude of trails within the Dupont State Forest, but thanks to the rainy weather, we stuck with short treks to a few waterfalls.

We were told this park is where some movies were filmed, including Hunger Games, and the latest version of the Last of the Mohicans.

Here is Hooker Falls

Looks like a lobster centipede.

Rhododendron

Lower part of triple falls

Great Blue Heron

And then there is this...the cat who screwed with all my gear and clothes...

Hope you liked!!

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