I suppose the most ambitious trail escapade of the summer (so far) was the hike to the Jones Branch Overlook<\/a>, a quite scenic cliff-boulder overlooking the peaceful Jones Branch,<\/a> where the Appalachian Trail ascends\/descends the southernmost ridges of Unaka Mountain near the Nolichucky River<\/a>.\u00a0 From the secluded overlook, there are also some very good views<\/a> beyond the river gorge, out to the Bald Mountain Chain of the Appalachians.\u00a0 I accidentally found the overlook a few years ago, perhaps after a Jones Branch Waterfall<\/a> adventure, and have been going back every year since.\u00a0 My hiking buddy, \u2018Rat Patrol\u2019 had had never been there, however, and despite some sore ribs from a recent motorbike accident, decided to brave the elements (mostly heat and \u2018bugs\u2019) and check out the overlook.<\/p>\n \n View from the Jones Branch Overlook<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n The plan was fairly simple:\u00a0 We left a car at the trail-head near the Nolichucky River Campground, and drove up and around the mountain to \u2018Indian Grave Gap\u2019, where we began our hiking journey.\u00a0 The first 4 miles to \u2018Curly Maple Gap\u2019<\/a> went rather quickly, and without too much misadventure<\/a>. Then we began our side-trip to the overlook, ascending the old gap trail to the fork, and hiking out the seldom-used trail on the large, rugged knob<\/a> that is positioned between the north and south forks of the Jones Branch.\u00a0 We had to descend the face of the knob (it was very steep) about a tenth of a mile (perhaps a little further) to get to the rock overlook. The views<\/a> were nice–Big Bald was visible when we first arrived, but a cloud rolled over the mountains from North Carolina, and obscured part our view to the south.\u00a0 This same cloud tried to rain upon us, but it was so hot at the time, that the raindrops mostly evaporated before reaching us, showering us in a cool, refreshing mist, instead.\u00a0 We lounged about upon the exquisite rock cliff<\/a>, listening to the relaxing sounds of the waterfalls far below us, for as long as time would allow, and then retraced our steps back up the steep face of the knob, and (after investigating some of the other intriguing cliff-boulders<\/a> that inhabit the side of the knob) made our way back to Curly Maple Gap.<\/p>\n \n Bol'Dar on the Jones Branch Lookoff<\/p><\/div>\n We met a thru-hiker at the shelter there, a fellow named \u2018Heavy Metal\u2019<\/a> from Detroit, and we stopped for a while to talk with him before descending the Appalachian Trail into the Jones Branch.\u00a0 I couldn\u2019t resist climbing up onto the large boulder-spine<\/a> that buttes out of the side of the \u2018Johnson Rock Ridge\u2019 since \u2018they were there\u2019; Rat was a bit reluctant to follow, but managed to climb up and get one last view<\/a> of the mountains before climbing back down.\u00a0 I inexplicably \u2018wiped out\u2019 on my way down off of the rock spine, and sprang a leak in my arm.\u00a0 It was nothing serious, however, and we continued on down the trail, finishing our 11-mile hike at the river, where Rat\u2019s car was waiting for us.\u00a0 Somewhere along our trek, I apparently encountered a herd of chiggers, which was rather unpleasant, but not earth-shattering.<\/p>\n Flint and Coldspring Mountains…<\/strong><\/p>\n There was another rather ambitious hike to Coldspring Mountain<\/a>:\u00a0 In early August, I drove up to Devil\u2019s Fork Gap <\/a>along the Tennessee\u2014North Carolina state line.\u00a0 The air smelled just like perfume at times, as I began hiking the Appalachian Trail south towards Flint Gap<\/a> and Coldspring Mountain.\u00a0 I had hoped to hike all the way to the \u2018Big Rock\u2019 on top of Coldspring, but having gotten a late start (which isn\u2019t very unusual) only made it as far as the Shelton Memorial.\u00a0 The climb<\/a> out of Flint Gap up the Coldspring Ridge has always kicked my butt\u2014even 20 years ago when I had slightly more spring in my step and a bit more endurance.<\/p>\n \n Flint Mountain<\/p><\/div>\n It was a really hot day, mid-90\u2019s, I would say, but I did fairly well, at least until I eventually ran out of steam about a football field down from the top<\/a> of the ridgeline.\u00a0 After a sandwich break and some water, I made it the rest of the way to the top, and on to the Shelton Memorial, where I rested some more and enjoyed the peacefulness of the Civil War Graves Memorial site.<\/p>\n \n Shelton Graves \/ Memorial<\/p><\/div>\n I can\u2019t help but wonder how and why these young men, kids really (one of them was only 13 years old), were killed, who they were and what they were like. It seems like such a waste, ambushed and killed for no good reason, in the prime of life.\u00a0 Surely the ambush party could have done things differently, but I suppose we will never know the whole story of what happened that night on the mountain.\u00a0 One thing is for sure–it wasn\u2019t good.\u00a0 There are some very old trees<\/a> nearby that may have been saplings 150 years ago when all that bad stuff was happening there\u2014and they are still standing as witnesses\u2026if only trees could talk.<\/p>\n Roan Mountain High Knob Trail…<\/strong><\/p>\n Near the end of July, I went up to Roan Mountain and hiked up to the summit from Carvers Gap.\u00a0 Somehow, I had strained a calf muscle a couple of days beforehand, so I took my time climbing the hill, enjoying the scenery<\/a> as much as I could.\u00a0 It was a nice day and the views across the gap<\/a> to the balds were pretty good, although there were several noisy people yelling back and forth, which I could hear all the way across on the High Knob.\u00a0 I also encountered several hikers on the way up the trail and a cool stealth-rabbit<\/a> that decided to pose for my camera.\u00a0 The air smelled fresh, having rained just before I arrived, apparently, and the balsams always seem to smell good, as that is their nature.<\/p>\n \n Round Bald<\/p><\/div>\n It had been quite a long time since I had visited the shelter<\/a> (the old Fire Warden\u2019s cabin, back when there was still a fire-tower there) at the High Knob<\/a>, and was glad to see that it had been repaired\u2014the floor was rotted out and mostly gone the last time I remember staying there.\u00a0 It looked to be in pretty good condition; however, there were an inordinate number of flies clustered in front of the shelter for some strange reason, which would rise up and buzz around if disturbed from their headquarters around the fire-pit.\u00a0 The rocks above the shelter, the highest point<\/a> on Roan Mountain (elevation 6,285\u2019), made for a pleasant lunch venue before hiking back down the trail to Carver\u2019s Gap<\/a>.\u00a0 I saw a few deer in the State Park as I was driving through there, but couldn\u2019t stop to take any photos, since there were a couple of cars behind me at the time.<\/p>\n \n Waterwheel at Roan Mountain State Park<\/p><\/div>\n The Spivey Gap Adventures…<\/strong><\/p>\n There were 3 hikes starting out of Spivey Gap; the first trip in mid-July found me waiting out a fast moving rainstorm<\/a> beneath the colossal \u2018High Rocks\u2019 on the Appalachian Trail.\u00a0 I was rained on again before I could get back to Spivey Gap<\/a>, but it felt refreshing, and I didn\u2019t mind at all.\u00a0 The second trip, in mid-August, was interesting, as I decided to trek up the old Forest Service Road (the Pisgah National Forest Service does a good job maintaining their forest service roads) to Whistling Gap<\/a>.\u00a0 I saw a grouse pretending to be wounded, and while checking that out, I walked up upon a rather large wild turkey<\/a>, which sprung out of the brush beside the freshly mowed meadow, and somewhat startled me. With a perfect camouflage, I never would have seen her if she hadn\u2019t of jumped out of the brush\u2014they are very \u2018stealth-like\u2019 when they want to be.\u00a0 Anyway, I hiked on to the Whistling Gap and enjoyed the peace and serenity there and also re-discovered the mysterious \u2018rock mound site\u2019<\/a>, which I haven\u2019t been able to explain as yet.\u00a0 Perhaps it was an old homestead at one time.\u00a0 Despite the road having been mowed, my boots were water-logged by the time I returned to the Spivey Gap, and they needed a few days to dry out before the next trip.<\/p>\n \n View from below High Rocks<\/p><\/div>\n The 3rd, and most recent trip to Spivey Gap was a rain adventure out to \u2018Devil\u2019s Creek\u2019 and \u2018No Business Knob\u2019.\u00a0 I met a friendly, young woman, with her 2 dogs, on a section hike near \u2018Devil\u2019s Creek Gap\u2019<\/a>, and watched her disappear into the thick cloud<\/a> that engulfed us before descending down the old trail into Devil\u2019s Creek.\u00a0 It was already raining somewhat beforehand, but I hadn\u2019t gotten very far down the trail before the rain began pouring down upon me, as if out of a bucket.\u00a0 I was trying out an old umbrella as a rain deflector, which was a bit awkward, but stayed fairly dry huddled up beneath it, hoping to wait out the storm.\u00a0 After 10 or 15 minutes crouched beneath the umbrella, however, my knees began to complain, and I eventually decided that since it wasn\u2019t going to quit raining anytime soon, to put on a raincoat (which wasn\u2019t much help) and continue hiking down into the Devil\u2019s Creek Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n Devils Creek Valley from No Business Knob<\/p><\/div>\n The trail wasn\u2019t maintained, and there were several large patches of stinging nettles, which are unpleasant (I was wearing shorts), and also areas where the laurels have taken over the old roadbed<\/a>.\u00a0 After about a mile of this wet, amusing trail, when the laurel hells and nettles began to appear even thicker, I decided that this hike would probably be better in the winter, when the nettles (and perhaps a few other creatures) would be in hibernation.\u00a0 Anyway, I hiked back up to the Appalachian Trail<\/a>, and wandered out toward the shelter on No Business Knob, hoping to get a view of the river gorge.\u00a0 I guess my adventure level was still a bit low, however, and, having seen a rock ledge above the trail, decided to climb<\/a> up the pathless ridgeline to get a better view<\/a>.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t climb to the top of the knob, but did climb high enough to get a quite good view of the Spivey Gap area and Flattop Mountain, although the clouds were way too thick<\/a> to see Little Bald, or Big Bald in the distance.\u00a0 Of course, the shredded clouds<\/a> floating up the valley and ascending the sides of the mountain was a good part of the charm\u2014it looked rather amazing<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sampson Mountain Wilderness…<\/strong><\/p>\n I don\u2019t go into the Sampson Mountain Wilderness<\/a> as often as I used to in the summertime; it can be rather depressing to see the creek in such a state of decline, and summer is also when the blood-sucking, and kamikaze eye-orcs, become thick as clouds.\u00a0 It can be rather irritating.\u00a0 Despite all that, I took a hike up back into the wilderness one day in early August.\u00a0 The creek was barely running<\/a>, and I did get a few gnats in my eyes, but there was no danger of getting my feet wet at any of the creek crossings while I walked out toward Buckeye Falls.<\/a> I didn\u2019t go quite that far, however, but I did make a few notes concerning old roadbeds leading up onto Sampson Mountain<\/a> for possible future exploration, but the thing that impressed me the most about this hike were the tall, colorful cardinal flowers<\/a> that were blooming next to the creek in places\u2014they seem to thrive there.<\/p>\n \n deep pool in Clarks Creek<\/p><\/div>\n A Few More Hikes…<\/strong><\/p>\n My friend, \u2018Grasshopper\u2019<\/a>, was in town for a few days and we went out for a couple of mountain hikes.\u00a0 We managed to get soaking wet on the trail near Sam\u2019s Gap (well, mostly I did, since she had a raincoat), but it was refreshing, and we\u00a0 succeeded in having fun anyway.\u00a0 We were also rained on during a hike up to Sill Branch Falls<\/a>, but again, we had quite a lot of fun, at least until the lightning and thunder made us retreat to the car.<\/p>\n As always, many thanks to the Web-Wizard for all the good work on the website.\u00a0 .\u00a0\u00a0 Likewise, thanks to Rat Patrol<\/a> for all the impressive Roan Mountain<\/a> photos, and everyone else who has sent in photos, or takes the time to read this trail-blog, especially if you read it all the way to the end.<\/p>\n More adventures soon, as we prepare for the 2010 version of \u2018Rat\u2019s Birthday Hike\u2019\u2026not quite sure where we are going yet, but it should be an adventure.<\/p>\n ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Boulderman\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 8-24-2010<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Has it been hot?\u00a0 Oh, yeah\u2026 Way back, when I was still in High School, I had a job delivering newspapers.\u00a0 There was this one ol\u2019 fellow on my route that I would see almost every day, as he and his be-sweatered Chihuahua awaited my inevitable arrival so he could impart some important new wisdom […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=431"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":451,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/431\/revisions\/451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"jones](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/jones_branch27_rs.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Bol'Dar](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/boldar_jones_br_lookoff_rs.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Flint](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/flint_mtn_rs.jpg\")
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<\/a>![\"View](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/high_rocks_view_rs.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"Devils](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/devils_cr_valley_rs.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"deep](\"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/site_pics4\/reflecting_pool_rs.jpg\")
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