From Cades Cove To Tremont Some Hidden Gems Of The Smokies

Well, the first blog of 2017 covers the last hike of 2016. This outing, with some of my good friends from the Harvey Broome Group, was a two-parter and feature some off the beaten path spots in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Some known and some almost forgotten.

The first half was some off trail hiking in Cades Cove. First, we head up by the John Oliver Cabin and off the Rich Mountain Trail to two homesteads the first just had some old washtubs. The second still had the old chimney still standing and nearby was the remains of an old vehicle (I think a truck), but has been crushed by a fallen tree. 

First time in the park since the fires.

When we entered the cove caught a couple of bucks battling...

...I think he lost!

These turkeys were about 10 feet away at John Oliver Cabin parking.

The first homesite.

Deja vu again.

John Oliver Cabin.

X marks the way...

...to this second homestead.

Like my "new" truck.

Ran to those turkeys...again.

Next, up we hiked to Gregory's Cave. From what I gather this use to be an attraction back in the 1920's, it is said that the Gregory family charged 50 cents to enter the cave up until 1935. During the Cold War in the 1950's, it was used as a fallout shelter and I also read that the Missionary Baptist Church once held services here. The entrance to the cave is 10 feet wide and four feet high and the main passage going back 435 feet with a second, off the main shaft, being 100 feet in. However, we could go no further than the entrance as it is now gated and accessible by permit only and usually just for scientific research. On our way, we passed a set of old tables which is the most visible remains of an old picnic area that was part of an old amphitheater used by the Park Service until the 1950's (from what I found on the Interwebs). 

While they were driving we were hiking.

Some kind of cypress tree, but it is not native to the Park.

Some of the remnants of old amphitheater site...

...with old picnic tables.

A lost Smokies site...Gregory's Cave...

...inside you could see the air moving...

...there was some cool formations inside.

Headed out.

Cool sycamore tree.

After stopping to solve a mystery at the Missionary Baptist Church (a light at the end of the cemetery was a solar lamp) it was on to a spot in Cades Cove I have wanted to visit the site of the Pearl Harbor Tree since I heard about it. The story goes that after hearing the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Gollman Myers knew bad times were on the horizion, especially with two draft-age sons. To mark the somber occasion he transplanted a Sweetgum sapling near the family home. He put an old tire rim around the sapling to protect it from being mowed over. Seventy-five years later the tree long ago had outgrown the tire rim (breaking it) and now stands at 60 feet.  Then back in the 70's Myers son Bernard placed the marker now on the tree so his grandchildren could find it. It has gradually gained fame and even has a song about the tree.  Because of this fame, the tree is not too hard to find as it also sports American Flags today.To find it the small pull-off (two cars) on the right it is just past the large area of parking for the Cades Cove Valley View about four miles into Cades Cove.

Snow on the mountain.

Deer heard.

Cades Cove Valley View.

Headed to...

...the Pearl Harbor Tree...

...how has it grown!

The old Myers homesite.

Dan Lawson Place.

Famous Cades Cove Tree.

Tipton Cabin.

The tree was the last place we visited in "the Cove" it was suggested we make a side trip to the Tremont section of the park to view a waterfall, and since the Wood Booger had never been to either I was on board. The hike to Spruce Flat Falls starts at the parking area for the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. The institute runs programs in the summer for kids and adults a like. It is here were the trailhead for the Falls Trail which is surprisingly a little steep and narrow in spots. Oh, and also rocky, but the one-mile trail has a great payoff...a 40-foot cascade that is as good as some of its more famous cousins in the Park. It was definitely the way to close a great day of hiking in the Smokies.

Starting point....

...for the hike...

...to Spruce Flat Falls.

Start on the Lumber Ridge Trail...

...to the falls trail.

I think this little guy is confused it is a long time until spring!

There was some vista on the trail...

...but the main event was the falls!

The whole falls.

Typical Smokies one-rail footbridge.

Trail snakes back.

Well, Yule is at an end.