Friday afternoon we set up camp and then hiked the 2.5 mile Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest loop trail. The old growth trees were magnificent along with the multitude of wildflowers. Returning to camp we had happy hour, and snacked on guacamole and chips while preparing our camp dinners. Dessert was a birthday cake for Marietta, kindly provided by Jim. And of course a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" Later around the campfire (wood provided by Ewing and Betty) some enjoyed toasting marshmallows (also provided by Ewing) Yumm!
Saturday, 13 of us loaded up to hike to the Hangover. Ewing and his brother David, who had arrived late the night before from Virginia, stayed back and guarded the camp. A few more went hiking and exploring Robbinsville and the surrounding area. The 3 carloads of Hangover hikers drove the FS road to the Wolf Laurel trailhead which is a short trail to the Stratton Bald trail. After inspecting part of the Stratton trail, we turned around to go the right way, finding lots of wildflowers; red trilliums, Canada mayflower,and violets. As we climbed higher, we saw the early spring flowers, trout lily, anemones, spring beauties, and flowering trees; silverbells, dogwoods, service berry, and flowering bushes, viburnum, and/or witch hobble. A few piles of bear scat were also spotted. Evidently that bear had eaten well! The Haoe Lead trail took us to Hangover Lead and the Hangover, a top notch lunch spot with a 360 view of mountain after mountain after mountain. As we hiked back the thunder started and down came the rain and out came the raingear. The rain washed everything clean and made the green things greener. And it settled the dust on the FS road for our drive back to camp.
Sunday morning the birds singing woke us up. We packed up and parted ways, 3 left ahead of us to check out some overlooks along the Cherohala Skyway. 6 of us traveled together along the Skyway, stopping at Hoopers Bald, where we hiked up to the pretty meadow on the bald. We drove on and stopped again at West Rattlesnake Rock trailhead This is a nice trail with lots more wildflowers. We hiked about a mile, then back to the cars. Our last stop on the Skyway was Bald River Falls, which the previous night of rain made spectacular! Then on to the Tellico Plains Visitors Center, and lunch at the Tellicafe. It was a great weekend with lots of beautiful hiking and good company. We're hoping to go again in the fall. We'll keep you posted.
