Bears In Elkmont...It Must Be Summer!

While it might be a fortnight back, let's briefly revisit when Spring became Summer (meteorological) at Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).

GSMNP

Now, there is no way I can top the colorful story spun by my hiking partner, "Psycho" Pete. He's right there was a bear in our section of Elkmont Campground. I talked with someone, and the Mama Bear and Cub had been spotted the previous night near H-7 where we were set up. Yes, the Park Rangers put a baited bear trap across from my campsite. Oh, and yes, the woman camped across from us left, and the couple behind us left late in the evening and didn't return. But we stayed, and I can't verify Pete's account, but he's sticking to it. 

Elkmont Campground

This was right across from my campsite.

The bears didn't scare us off.

The next morning & are neighbors (BR) didn't come back.

The rest of the trip included some somewhat synchronized fireflies, a hike through Daisy Town, and the old ruins of the Wonderland Hotel. Then, I ended the trip at Cataract Falls and Fighting Creek Trail at the John Ogle Cabin, which is being refurbished...

Daisy Town before Firefly watching Wednesday evening.

At the Wonderland Hotel on Thursday...

...the Cataract Falls...

...& (T) The John Ogle Cabin. (B) View of Gatlinburg & Mt. LeConte.

SmugMug Photos

Not Camping Trip To Elkmont In The Smokies

As I mentioned in the previous blog, the planned camping trip to Elkmont in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) had to be cancelled by unforeseen circumstances. However, it didn't stop a trip to look at the fall colors in the Smokies, specifically, Elkmont. One of the reasons the middle of the week was chosen is because it is crowded this time of the year and getting a weekend spot in Elkmont Campground is impossible. Still, while I missed camping it was still fun to hike around Daisy Town and the old cabins. However, a hike on the Gatlinburg Trail was postponed because it took an hour to get from Laurel Falls to Sugarlands...it was Friday.

Sunrise.

Entering the GSMNP...

...& Elkmont.

Beauty of Little River.

Jakes Creek Trail...

...Cabins on the trail were removed...

...& refurbished.

Heading to...

///Levi-Trentham-Cemetery.

Cabin #10.

Daisy Town

Cabin #7-A

Appalachian Club House

Turkeys!

I missed these steps last year...

...but not the main chimney of the Wonderland Hotel.

Traffic to Sugarlands.

SmugMug Photos: Not Camping Trip To Elkmont In The Smokies

Smokies Plus Wild Cherries Equal Bear Jam

Hiking and mountain vistas weren't the only highlights of my recent trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). No, it was seeing the park's most famous inhabitants...BEARS!

For anyone familiar with this blog you know that bears are a favorite animal of mine. So, when I get to see one it is great, but multiple bears, well that is spectacular and that is what happened on that Thursday. As I was coming down the Newfound Gap Road right not long after passing the Chimney Tops Trailhead there was a huge gaggle of cars for the Tops main overlook. Immediately I knew what it was a BearJam. For the unenlightened, it is when traffic backs up, usually on both sides, because of bears. 

My Smokies High Country Adventure.

Usually what awaits at Chimeny Tops Overlook.

I saw where everyone was looking it was a tree right before the Chimney Tops Overlook (or after for me) and it was packed with cars, so I parked at the overlook on down and hurried towards the crowd. I had seen two bears that looked like a yearling and a larger bear that looked like a sow. From what I have seen in the past for these Bear Jams the bruins move on quick, but not this time. The adult bear I saw had come down the tree, but she had not one, or two, but three cubs in the tree. So, with this bear family and the yearling that made five. When I looked up into the tree it was obvious why they weren't to eager to leave, it was a Wild Cherry...it was loaded! Anyway, I got some great pictures of all five. While it was cool it did get a little uncomfortable, because a number of people were getting too close. I fully expected this one guy to get mauled. Yes, cubs are cute but they're bears. Still, that brings my bear total to seven!

Bear Number 1: Mama Bear...

...Bear Number 2: Yearling...

...Bear Number: Cub #1

...(Above) Bear Number 4: Cub #2 & (Below) Bear Number 5: Cub #3....

A Second Attempt For My Blog From The Smokies High-Country

This was going to be a much longer blog on my recent overnight to Icewater Spring Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), but the Blogger app I was using deleted the whole thing when I was almost done! So, I'm not going to try and re-transcribe it because I just don't want to (it was pretty long) and it has been a fortnight ago, so I just want to get it up. . So, on Wednesday, this was my first shelter overnight since 2019 and first time to Icewater Spring since 2018. It had been even longer since going to Charlie's Bunion (November 2017). I also hiked for the first time to the Sawtooth.

Arriving at GSMNP.

Heading up the Newfound Gap Road.

Morton Overlook.

Starting down the AT from Newfound Gap.

Collection of AT blaze trees.

Heading on the AT to the...

...Boulevard Trail junction.

My home for the night...Icewater Spring Hilton (Shelter).

To Charlie's Bunion junction, but I'm not stopping...

...heading past Dry Sluice Gap to the Sawtooth.

The Sawtooth (unassisted) view...

...& tech assisted looking into TN...

...& NC.

The "Original" Charlie's Bunion...

...the trail-up was grown up.

The (real) Charlie's Bunion.

Heading past the old tree headed back on the AT.

When I got back a group from SAWS was doing trail work & set up at the shelter (with bear fence).

Then Thursday, after hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) back to Newfound Gap I headed up to Kuwahi (Clingmans Dome) for the loop hike to a cloud-covered tower (it was clear when I started up). Anyway, I will add descriptions in the pictures on some of the things I left out. Oh, if you are wondering where are the bears? Well, I didn't want them buried in this blog, so I am going to do their own blog. If you want to view more photos check them out on my SmugMug...

Heading back on the AT.

A mega-Widow Maker.

Back at Newfound Gap.

Headed on the Clingmans (Kuwahi) Bypass Trail to the AT.

Mt. Buckley View...the last around the top.

Summit of Kuwahi & the Clingmans (Smoky) Dome Tower.

It was crowded & socked in.

On the way down it started raining.

The view from the parking area at my start & end.