A Little Ice & Snow In The Smokies Before Heat Miser Reigns

Tuesday was the last day that the reign (over the weekend) of the Snow Miser was on display, so Deb and I headed to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) for some icy hiking around Sugarlands Visitor Center. The plan was to hike the Gatlinburg Trail, which we did. Actually, we did just over half of it and the reason was the trail was pretty icy. If you have ever been on icy trails when the snow starts to melt and then refreezes it can be much slicker than when it snows. That was how it was today. It wasn't totally a surprise as I had seen the trail on the way in and it looked pretty slick on the lower half. The second was it was windy, much windier than expected. With there being a lot of burn area from the Chimney 2 Fire on the lower half of the trail (see sign below), we decided it was best to turn back. 

Looking like Winterfest.

I think they got more ice in the High Country.

I finally got a good picture of this sign.

Main entrance.

Visitor center.

Clouds over Sugarlands Mountain.

Headed on the Gatlinburg Trail...

...past Park Headquarters.

Still ice out there.

Snow in the Sugarlands Cemetery.

That warning sign.

Beautiful ice on Two-Mile Creek.

West Prong of the Little Pigeon River...

...heads toward Gatlinburg.

Trail starts to get icy.

Another beautiful shot of the winter river.

Here some of...

...burn damage...

...just off the trail...

...the icy on the trail & wind caused us to turn around.

Nice!

However, as a backup, we decided to head to Cataract Falls, while not the most spectacular waterfall it is nice all the same. After that, Deb headed back to Sugarlands, while I hit the Fighting Creek Nature Trail and hiked on to John Ownby Cabin. I have to say the condition of this more traditional trail was better than the wider, more groomed Gatlinburg Trail and the one to Cataract Falls. 

Headed on...

...the icy trail...

...Cataract Falls.

Close up of the falls.

Deb enjoying the ice.

Cove Mountain Trail is still closed.

Just past under the bridge.

Deb at the footbridge...

Where the trail splits...

...& I headed out on the Fighting creek Nature Trail.

Footbridge right before...

...John Ownby Cabin...

...water dripping off from snow melt...

...inside (again).

Headed back.

After I got back we headed to the visitor center, which was open but the gift shop was closed for inventory. Well, we headed to Gatlinburg to the next best thing, the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) where I got to sit by the fire for 15 minutes. When we got outside it was evident that the Snow Miser had given way to his brother, Heat Miser, as most of the snow was gone. So, after here we went to another favorite place of ours, the Village and specifically the Day Hiker. I have to say this was our first trip to Gatlinburg since the above-mentioned fire. While on the main strip it looked like business, as usual, a glance up Crockett Mountain and the devastation was evident.  

Back at the visitor center...

...notice the tape the Gift Shop is closed.

Cable car descends.

Sitting by the fire at NOC.

Always I have to take a picture of GSMNP weather.

Space Needle.

Cool, ice behind a fountain at the Village.

On Crockett Mountain...

...some of the damage...

...from the terrible fires in November.

After some time in Gatlinburg, we stopped in Sevierville at Tanger Outlet and to eat, before heading home. Overall it was a nice day in the Smokies and got me 4.75 miles closer to my 250-mile pin (just over 31 miles to go) and let the reign of Heat Miser (for this weekend at least) begin!

Tanger Outlet.

Mt. LeConte from the TGI Friday's parking lot (more on eating here later).

Winterfest lights.