HikeSummer '15

With the end of August and the beginning of September this means that HikeSummer ’15 has come to an end. I will say it was a topsy-turvy outdoor season. I had my apartment flood at the start, moved my stuff up to Tennessee and ended up relocating here a year ahead of time. Because of a number of factors I didn’t get out as much as planned. What I missed in quantity I made up in quality. I visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) on five occasions including hikes to The Jumpoff, Charlie’s Bunion, Chimney Tops and the crown jewel of the Smokies…Mount LeConte. Add to that visits to Grotto Falls, Laurel Falls, Cades Cove and Alum Cave Bluffs, I did a summer’s worth of stuff just in the national park. I was on the Appalachian Trail and number of times including Hot Springs and the Beauty Spot. You could have called HikeSummer ’15 Waterfall Summer as I visited 12 different falls including Minnehaha Falls in Georgia, Highway 64 near Highlands better known as the "Waterfall Road" and the deadly Elk River Falls. Overall HikeSummer ’15 was a season to remember.

Total Days Out: 22; Hiking Days Out: 10

Total Hikes: 41; Hikes: 27; Urban Hikes: 12

Total Miles: 78.2 Miles; Hiking Miles: 56.3 Miles; 21.9 Miles

Longest Hike: Alum Cave Trail to Mt. LeConte - 12.5 Miles (08-22-15)

Shortest Hike: Minnehaha Falls - 0.5 Miles (06-09-15)

Warmest Hike: AT near Hot Springs - 96 Degrees (07-26-15)

Coldest Hike: Mt. LeConte - Mid 50's (08-22-15)

Mountain Peaks: 13

Highest Mtn. Peak: Mt. LeConte - 6,593 ft. (08-22-15)

Lowest Mtn. Peak: Point Lookout - 1,460 ft. (08-08-15)

Fire Towers: 0

Waterfalls: 12

Tallest: Minnehaha Falls - 100 ft. (06-09-15)

Upper Road Prong Falls: 12 ft. (08-13-15)

Lakes/Rivers: 10

Lake: Cherokee Lake - 45 Square Miles (08-08-15)

Longest River: Holston River - 386 Miles (3 Times)

Shortest River: West Prong of the Little Pigeon - 30 Miles (5 Times)

Highest River: French Board River - 3,689 ft. (07-26-15)

Lowest River: Little River - 813 ft. (08-01 & 13-15)

Trailheads: 20

Highest Trailhead: Newfound Gap - 5,046 ft. (06-25-15)

Lowest Trailhead: Point Lookout - 1,275 ft (08-08-15)

Named Gaps: 12

Highest Road Gap: Newfound Gap - 5,046 ft. (06-25-15)

Highest Hiking Gap: Dry Sluice Gap - 5,375 ft. (06-25-15)

Lowest Road Gap: Davenport Gap - 1,975 ft. (06-09-15)

Lowest Hiking Gap: Fighting Creek Gap - 2,300 ft. (08-01 & 13-15)

Gift Shops/Visitor Centers: 12

Highest: LeConte Lodge - 6,400 ft. (08-22-15)

Lowest: Panther Creek State Park - 1,218 ft. (08-08-15)

Overlooks: 18

Highest: Newfound Gap - 5,046 ft. (06-25-15)

Lowest: Cherokee Lake Overlook - 1,300 ft. (08-08-15)

Major Trails: 4

Appalachian Trail: 4 Times

GSMNP Trails: 10

10 Trails