Appalachian Trail - Hogpen Gap to Low Gap Shelter (White County, Georgia)

 

Earlier this year, I had set a goal for myself to hike the remaining sections of the Georgia Appalachian Trail (AT) that I had not yet hiked. I knocked out a few sections in the spring and had a plan and schedule to finish up in the fall. Summers are no time to be tackling challenging hikes in this region due to the excessive heat and humidity. Unfortunately, a little storm named Hurricane Helene came through around the end of September and damaged some sections of the trail. I postponed a planned hike and delayed my schedule. I don't expect to finish these sections this year, but I'm still going to try to knock out a few and then hopefully, in the early part of next year finish off the list. Today though, I'm leading the meetup group along the section I cancelled a couple of months back, Hogpen Gap to Low Gap Shelter. 

Meeting the group at one of the three parking areas near Hogpen Gap, the four of us did a quick round of introductions and then quickly hit the trail. Most of the leaves have already fallen, but a few autumn colors remain. The trail is easy to follow, even with the leaves covering it in most places. Though there are a couple of moderate uphill sections, this part of the AT is pretty easy by all of our standards and we make good time.

Reaching the shelter, we stop to have a short lunch break. It's a nice group of people and we have some great conversation on a number of topics. The shelter itself is one of the nicest I've encountered on the AT. It seems very sturdy and includes a picnic table, where we enjoy our snacks. After this short break, we turn around head back the way we came. 

The entire trail was pretty uneventful, but it was nice to get outside again. When we reach our cars, everyone thanks me for leading the hike on such a day with such great weather. Our hike covered about 9.6 miles, including the little spur of the main trail to the shelter. Over that distance, we had around 1,700 feet of elevation change, though it was mild enough to not be all that noticeable. With temperatures starting in the low 50's and reaching the low 60's by the time we were back at our cars, the weather really was perfect.

Long Creek Falls (Fannin County, Georgia)

 Wanting to get more miles in today, I decided to join one of the Meetup groups for a hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail (AT). The planned starting point was an area known as Three Forks and I plan on hiking another section from here at a later date. However, I took advantage of the carpool today, which should allow me to scope out the road and parking situation. Meeting up with several of the other hikers at a nearby Best Buy, we loaded into two vehicles and started the long drive north.

The drive went by fast, though the last several miles are along fairly rough forest service roads. We arrived at the parking area, which has room for around twenty cars in various configurations. While the group prepared themselves, I walked around and gathered a couple of other hikers that were part of our group, but that had decided to drive themselves. After a quick round of introductions, we quickly hit the trail heading northeast towards Long Creek Falls.

Reaching the junction, the entire group opted to take the spur trail back to the waterfall, which I had visited a while back on a different hike. Though we haven't had much rain lately, there was still a pretty good flow to the waterfall. In addition to the waterfall, I pointed out the petroglyphs (modern in nature) to the group. These had been brought to my attention on my last visit and after a careful examination that time, I was very confident in saying that the figures were scratched into the rock by European-American visitors and not Native Americans. I've visited a lot of rock art sites all around the country and even take some special interest classes to learn more about them. I can say with confidence that these were likely made in the last 100-150 years by settlers.

Leaving the waterfall, we continued north a ways and stopped at a cemetery and trail shelter just off the trail. It was a good place for a snack. We rested for a few minutes and then were at it again continuing northwest. As we made our way to the top of a ridge, a light mist started and we decided that it might be best to head back and possibly hike southwest on the trail to get more miles in. The idea being that we didn't want to be too far from the cars if a downpour should happen on top of us.

After crossing Chester Creek along a well made bridge, we entered a rhododendron tunnel and everyone commented about how beautiful it was. This side of the trail seems to be prettier than what we had done originally. To be honest, I didn't notice that much difference, but the others seem taken with it. We went a little further before turning back. 

Reaching the parking area just as my GPS tracker flipped over to 7.0 miles, our hike for the day was done. We said our goodbyes and piled back into the cars we came in headed for home. Overall, it was nice to get out with the group again and the trail was interesting enough. It did allow me to confirm that I could bring my car to this trailhead to complete full section of the AT from this point in the future.

Gibbs Gardens - Japanese Maple Walk (Cherokee County, Georgia)

 

It's been a couple of week since I've been able to get my mother out of the house and with the fall colors in full display, I thought it would be a great opportunity to take her back to Gibbs Gardens. The Japanese Maples should be showing off some amazing colors this time of year. I had the pleasure of visiting right after my wife and moved to Georgia, about five years ago, and it was an afternoon well spent. Hopefully, my mother will think so as well.

Though she can walk just fine, I thought this might be a little much for her and so, I loaded up here wheel chair into the back of my Subaru and we hit the road. It's about an hour drive. Once we arrived, we were directed to a parking spot, though I didn't mention the wheel chair and later regretted it, as I had to push her a fair distance on along a gravel road. It all worked out though. 

Once we entered the gardens and paid our admission, we first headed for the cafe and enjoyed a light lunch. Truffled egg salad on a croissant for both of us - quite tasty. I grabbed a bottle of water and we proceeded into the gardens, headed for the Japanese Garden area. The walkway is of a sandy/gravel composition and not very friendly to wheel chairs. It gave me a bit of a workout just pushing her around, but I think she was enjoying herself. 

I was amazed at how many people were here and a little disappointed in the color displays. I think we came a week or so too early this time around. That's not to say that there weren't some beautiful colorations, but there weren't quite as vibrant as I remember for my last trip, which closer to mid-November that year. We strolled around a couple of the lakes taking in all the gardens had to offer. She commented on how pretty everything was.

After about 45 minutes of pushing her around, I suggested that we should probably start making our way towards the exit. Along the way, she was able to see a number of other sections including some late-blooming flowers. The staff allowed me to leave her at the gate while I went to get the car, which made it a lot easier than trying to push that wheel chair uphill on gravel. And with that, we were on our way home.

4 Bridges Half-Marathon (Hamilton County, TN)

I'm really not in shape to run a half-marathon, but I signed up for the 4 Bridges Half-Marathon in Chattanooga some months ago and I'm determined to see it through. In addition to the half, there is also a full marathon, 10k, and 5k going on this morning. The full marathon and the running event as a whole are referred to as the 7 Bridges Marathon Weekend. 

I got into Chattanooga yesterday afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing evening in my room. Waking early, I dressed, packed, and checked out of the hotel before walking the 1.3 miles or so through downtown to the races starting point. This walk included walking the Walnut Street Bridge over the Tennessee River. This bridge is for bikes and pedestrians and is actually a pretty cool feature of the city. I suspected it would be part of the race course.

With the sun beginning to rise in the east, all of the runners line up at the starting line and with the blow of a horn, we set off on our 13.1 mile journey. The race route twists and turns through the city and in the process crosses several bridges as we go back and forth across the river. Eventually, the course flattens out and we head east along a well maintained river walk for the majority of the distance. 

In addition to not really be in shape for this, I've been struggling with some recurring running injuries over the past couple of years. My old knees have been giving me problems and I often wear compression supports, but opted not for today's race. Today though, it will be an entirely new area that experience pain in. About three miles into the race, I notice a slight throbbing in my left Achilles tendon. It progressively gets worse and I'm forced to walk. Prior to the pain starting, I was doing okay and holding about a 10:00 minute pace, but with significant pain now, I'm forced to walk the majority of the rest of the distance. It's disappointing, but not surprising.

After the turn, we head back west along the river walk, returning the way we came and eventually get back to the Walnut Street Bridge. The pain is fairly intense now, but I want to finish strong and force myself to run a bit as I push each step across the wooden floor of the restored bridge. Making the final turn, I cross the finish line with a time of 3:23:29. Maybe this is the motivation I need. I really need to get back into shape. Five years ago, I was running half-marathons around in around two hours. Oh, how I've fallen. The injuries are part of that, but it's more a lack of training. Having signed up for a couple more races next year, I'm going to try to be better about this. 

All of that said and even with my poor performance, this was a really nice and well-organized race. The course was very scenic and crossing the river four times along the route was actually pretty cool, especially with the sun rising. I would definitely recommend this race to anyone interested.

Rock City (Walker County, GA)

 

Since moving to Georgia just about five years ago, I've heard about Rock City, an attraction in Northwestern Georgia near the Tennessee border. Whenever traveling anywhere near that part of the state or into our neighboring states in that area, it's impossible to avoid seeing barn roofs without 'Visit Rock City' painted on them. As I'm headed to nearby Chattanooga for a race tomorrow, I thought I would finally stop and see what this attraction is all about.

This drive up the winding road along Lookout Mountain ends in the parking area for Rock City. I'm truly amazed at how many people are here. There have to be three or four hundred cars in the parking area and it takes me a little bit to find an open spot. After parking the car, I head to the entrance and show my ticket from my phone. The path is well marked and basically wall-to-wall people. 

Essentially, Rock City is a walking path through the natural slots between several gigantic boulders atop the mountain. The owners have made the path very easy to walk and added bridges over the top and themed decorations. They even name some areas of the 'city' and gave them fantasy themes. There are a number of 'fat man squeezes' that the path goes through. There are also some spectacular overlooks and a couple of waterfalls, which I'm fairly certain are main made. I walk in and around the various sections taking a few pictures before finally reaching the end. 

All in all it takes about thirty minutes to do the entire walk and I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth. This feels like a molestation of the natural beauty of this place. I'm sure some feel that the 'enhancements' improve the overall beauty, but it's just the opposite for me. I would have much preferred to wander through this area in it's natural state. At least it was a good place to stretch my legs a bit after my long drive.

Valley of Fire - Petroglyph Canyon via Mouse's Tank Trail (Clark County, Nevada)

 

The Mouse's Tank area is one of my favorite sections of Valley of Fire State Park. I've hiked this trail probably three or four times during my time living in Nevada and it never disappoints. After parking, I start the short hike in the searing sand and begin making my way to the tank. 

Along the way, I scan the red cliffs covered in desert varnish for the many, many petroglyphs I know are present here. Before long, I spot the first ones and then more, and more. The canyon walls are covered with hundreds of figures - some recognizable, some more alien. Some of the other hikers around me notice me taking pictures and realize what I'm photographing. They begin to scan the walls themselves.

This continues for the short 1/3 mile hike before I reach Mouse's Tank itself. This area is named for a Southern Paiute called Mouse, who hid in this area in the 1890's after being accused of killing two prospectors in the area. Though the history is not clear, it's likely that Mouse was hunted, found, and killed by settlers to the area. The small canyon and water catches at the end now bear his name.

The tank itself at the end of the canyon exists in the shadow of the sandstone and even now at the end of summer and in this sweltering heat is full of water. I imagine Mouse chose this area to hide in specifically because he knew there would be water available. For now though, it's time for me to head back and get to the airport. I have a flight to catch, but it's always great to revisit this place.

Valley of Fire - The Cabins (Clark County, Nevada)

 My next stop in Valley of Fire is not nearly as impressive as some of the others, but still worth mentioning as I've not been here before. According to an information sign the Cabins were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps shortly after this area was designated as a state park in 1935. Constructed of the native sandstone, they were used to shelter campers and travelers to the park for many years before additional services were added. To be honest, this is not that impressive of a site, but it's interesting and staying in one of these cabins might have been memorable when this site was the only shelter available.