For a Glimpse of Majesty

Dan and I are leaving today for a 5-day backpacking trip. In case you might be wondering where we are going, here's the itinerary that I sent to him (a Word doc., so the formatting will be a little off). It's a little detailed, but hey, that's the way I am. Obviously, blogging won't take place, so hope to be back in the saddle early next week. Cheers! Fall Backpackin’ Trip [Thursday, October 13-Monday, October 17] Day One: Thursday, October 13 ~ Weather Forecast: Partly Cloudy High 71 – Low 52 >> Campsite: Cades Cove Campground (1.800.365.CAMP) $17.00 ID# 2298309 :: Reservation #: 4770089 miles traveled: 315 (5 ½ hours) I-64 (75 miles); I-75 (173 miles); I-40 (28 miles); Hwy 129 (15 miles); Hwy 321 (20 miles) Day Two: Friday, October 14 :: Smokies :: ~ Weather Forecast: Sunny High 72 – Low 51

1. Abrams Falls (7:00 a.m.) 5.0 mi hike Cades Cove Cir. 20 ft. falls
2. Spruce Flats Falls (10:00 a.m.) 2.0 mi hike Little River Rd. 25 ft. falls
3. Laurel Falls (1:00 p.m.) 2.6 mi hike Little River Rd 85 ft. falls
4. Chimney Tops (3:00 p.m.) 4.0 mi hike Newfoundland Gap Rd. (US 441)
5. Clingsmans Dome (5:00 p.m.) 1.5 mi hike Newfoundland Gap Rd (US 441) to Clingsman Dome Rd
6. Fontana Lake (7:00 p.m.) no hike NC 28

Total hiking: 15.1 miles >> Campsite: Tsali Campground (828.479.6431)

• miles traveled: 50 (1 ½ hours)

BRP; 212; US 441 (Newfoundland Gap), NC 28; US 321; Little River Road Day Three: Saturday, October 15 :: Balsam Mountains :: ~ Weather Forecast: Sunny High 69 – Low 45

1. Blue Ridge Parkway (8:00 a.m.) no hike BRP
2. Graveyard Fields (10:00 a.m.) 3.2 mi hike BRP 418.8 Upper 120 ft./Lower 60 ft. falls
3. Devil’s Courthouse (2:00 p.m.) 1.7 mi hike BRP 422.4
4. Looking Glass Falls (4:00 p.m.) 0.2 mi hike Hwy 276 60 ft. falls
5. Looking Glass Rock (5:00 p.m.) no hike

Total hiking: 5.1 miles >> Campsite: Shining Rock Wilderness (828.877.3265)

• miles traveled: 70 (2 hours)

BRP, Hwy 64, NC 1600, NC 106, NC 281, US 176 Day Four: Sunday, October 16 :: Nantahala :: ~ Weather Forecast: Sunny High 65 - Low 39

• Pearson Falls (8:00 a.m.) 0.3 mi hike US176 90 ft. falls
• Whitewater Falls (10:00) 0.4 mi hike NC 281 411ft. falls
• Cullasaja Falls, Dry Falls (2:00) 0.1 mi hike Hwy 64 250 ft. / 120 ft. falls
• Glenn Falls (3:00) 2.8 mi hike NC 106 180 ft. falls
• Whiteside Mountain (5:00) 2.0 mi hike NC 1600 Massive crags and cliffs
• Horespasture Waterfalls 5.6 mi hike NC 281 200 ft. falls (five falls)

Total hiking: 11.2 miles >> Campsite: Van Hook Campground (828.526.5912)

• miles traveled: 110 (3 hours)

US 176, Hwy 64, NC 281, NC 106, NC 1600 Day Five: Monday, October 17 :: Tennessee/Kentucky :: ~ Weather Forecast: Sunny High 70 Low 54

1. Ocoee River (7:00 a.m.) no hike Hwy 64 possible cave exploration
2. Cumberland Falls (2:00 p.m.) 2.2 mi hike 68 ft. falls

miles traveled: 435 (7 ½ hours) Hwy 64 (125 miles); I-75 (155 miles) to Cumberland Falls; I-75 (83 miles); I-64 (75 miles) Total Miles Driven: 980 Total Miles Hiked: 33.6 Total Waterfalls: 18 Total Destinations: 20