WinterOutdoors '15-16

Well it is first week of March and that means that it is unofficial start of spring which is also the end of winter. Like last year it was a roller coaster season with cold weather at the start of December, but 70's degrees by Yule. Then four snows events in January and February with 60's sandwiched in between. Like the season, WinterOutdoors '15-16 was also up and down. December started out fast with hikes including ones to Mount Sterling and Hot Springs. January had two hikes in the first week and nothing there after, except snow. February was the same, two hikes early on the Appalachian Trail, then snow but there was two more to finish the month in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So with that it is time to say goodbye to WinterOutdoors before welcoming Spring-Thru '16.

Total Days Out: 30; Hiking Days: 21
Total Hikes: 32; Hikes: 12; Urban-Other Hikes: 20
Total Miles: 80; Hiking Miles: 56.05; Urban-Other Hikes: 23.95

Longest: Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion - 8.5 Miles (02-28-16)

Shortest" Pigeon River Gorge - 0.5 Miles (12- 16-15)

Coldest: Buffalo Mtn. - 10 Degrees (01-06-16)

Warmest: Chestoa Over Cliff Ridge - 60 Degrees (02-02-16)

Mountain Peaks: 16

Highest: Mt. Sterling - 5,842 ft. (12-16-15)

Lowest: Russell Knob - 1,812 ft. (12-05-16)

Lookouts & Towers: 2

Highest & Tallest: Mt. Sterling FT - 5,842 ft. & 60 ft. {12-16-15)

Lowest & Shortest: Meadow Creek FT - 2,875 ft. & 18 ft. {01-02-16}

Cliffs & Outcrops: 24

Highest: Fodderstack - 5,545 ft. (02-28-16}

Lowest: Lower Lovers Leap - 1,620 ft. (12-20-16)

Overlooks: 14

Highest: Newfound Gap - 5,048 ft. (02-19 & 28-16)

Lowest: Megis Falls - 1,435 ft. (02-19-16)

Waterfalls: 11

Tallest: Megis Falls - 35 ft. (02-19-16}

Shortest: French Broad Cascade - 3 ft. (12-20-16)

Bodies of Water: 10

Largest Lake: Douglas Lake - 44.41 Sq. Miles (12-16-15 & 02-19-16)

Smallest: Davy Crockett Lake - 383 Acres (12-20-15 & 01-02-16)

Highest: Clinch River - 2,545 ft (12-04-15 & 01-14-15)

Lowest: Tennessee River - 831 ft. (01-13 & 15-16)

Trailheads: 17

Highest: Newfound Gap - 5,048 ft. (02-28-16)

Lowest: Hot Springs - 1,326 ft. (12-20-16)

Named Gaps: 22

Highest Hiking: Dry Sluice - 5,375 ft. (02-28-16)

Lowest Hiking: Pump Gap - 2,100 ft. (12-20-16)

Highest Road: Newfound Gap - 5,048 ft. (02-19 & 28-16)

Lowest Road: Moccasin Gap - 1,266 ft. (12-04-15 & 01-14-16)

Shelters: 2

Highest: Ice Water Spring - 5,939 ft. (02-28-16)

Lowest: Hogback Ridge - 4,332 ft. (02-06-16)

Gift Shops & Visitors Center: 8

Highest: Tennessee I-26 Welcome Center Flag Pond - 2,325 ft. (02-06-15)

Lowest: Hot Springs Welcome Center - 1,326 ft. (12-20-15)

Lowest: Bluff Mtn. Outfitters - 1,326 ft. (12-20-15)

Recreation Areas: 2

Highest: Houston Valley RA - 1,800 ft. (01-02-16)

Lowest: Chestoa RA - 1,688 ft. (02-02-16)

Major Trails: 6

Appalachian Trail: 6

Benton MacKaye Trail: 1

GSMNP Trails: 6