Not Quite A Humdinger

Ashley and I were hoping we could both participate in today's St. Thomas youth outing to the Smokies even though it was a repeat of a past Humdinger Hike. She wasn't able to join us, but we did run into some familiar faces along the way. You can read about the hike here.

Short, Sweet, and Saucy: Chimney Tops Trail

For this year's annual Holy Thursday hike, we decided to do the Chimney Tops trail. Last year we cut it close, and with a little less than an hour to spare, we made it back in time for mass. To avoid that anxiety, we chose Chimneys because it's short. Going up, climbing to the top of the rock formations, eating lunch, and coming down took right around 3 hours for our crew. For the first time in awhile, we also had some friends join us! Curt and Kay Sheldon had their first Humdinger hike, and our longtime Humdinger hiker Ken Naumann joined us yet again.

We also chose this trail because of the payoff at the end - the Chimneys. Though I didn't climb all the way to the top to admire the view, I still had an incredible view from my perch halfway up the rock formation. Fr. Christian climbed all the way to the top, and I think he'll write about his experience and the view. I'm not a weenie by any means, but I do know my limits. What with my inability to walk in a straight line, my uncanny ability to trip over nothing on a flat surface, and my cumbersome boots, it wasn't advisable to clamber up the Chimneys. I wasn't the only one from our group to not climb all the way to the top: Curt, Kay, and Ken stayed at the bottom.

Chimney Tops trail is a short hike, only 2 miles up. However, I'd caution that statement with the fact that you climb 1700 feet in those 2 miles, and to state the obvious, you have to come back down those 2 miles! Depending on your preference and your physical limitations (for me, that would be my hip and for Fr. Christian, his knees), the steepness could be a challenge. Fortunately for me, my hip issue didn't rear it's painful head, so I was able to fully enjoy the climb up and down. My only regret is that I forgot to bring my hiking stick. If you haven't done this trail yet, I'd advise bringing yours because it will be immeasurably helpful.

Because the view is incredible (and that it's short), Chimneys is a very popular trail. Very popular. Our merry band of 5 ended up spreading out across the trail into 2 groups, and each group leapfrogged with other people/families/groups on the trail. There were very few moments when it was just us on the trail.

I also learned on this hike that I much rather prefer trails that are less popular and less crowded. Until Chimneys, I hadn't made the conscious decision of what I like and don't like. This is probably why I've been so loath to hike other incredibly well-known and well-visited trails in the park.

What comes with an increased human presence? Garbage. And lots of it! I couldn't believe it. At the end of the hike, I had picked up 2 handfuls worth of trash that other people left behind willy nilly. I actually watched someone hurl an apple core off the Chimneys. At one point I ended up sitting next to the apple thrower, and I looked off to the side of the rock formation and saw orange peels in the dirt. Letting my annoyance be heard by all around me, I picked up the orange peels and so began my trash collection. I found plastic bottle caps, plastic wrappers, and with less than half a mile to the trail head on the way down, I found another pile of orange peels. Except this pile was much worse and scattered all over the place.

Sometimes our posts have little rants in them, and I guess this is one of my rant posts. It's one thing to leave behind something that's biodegradable, but if you're gonna do that, at least throw it somewhere so that the rest of us can't see it. Actually, don't even do that. Bring a plastic bag (or something) and put your trash in it. Packs are convenient, temporary storage places for all sorts of things...water, lunch, a first-aid kit, and even trash. Would you throw trash in your front yard or in your neighbor's yard? No. So why would you do it on the trail? Makes no sense to me.

I also watched a kid whack the heck out of some branches and low-lying plants around a section of the trail that looks like it could be a shortcut, but it's not! It was clearly marked with a sign that says something along the lines of, "this is not a trail. Don't walk here. If you do, you damage..." This is a beautiful national park, and I just wish people would show it more respect. Don't mess with my mountains!

My annoyances with humanity aside, this trail is awesome. It's short with a pretty sweet view, and if you're like me, you might end up being a little saucy at the end of it.

Seems More Like A Road

It has been too long since our last Humdinger Hike, but we are still committed to finishing the project. The theme for our most current hike is "Seems More Like A Road". We decided on a loop hike that would begin with the short Gatlinburg Trail and later include the Twin Creeks and Old Sugarlands Trails.

Hiking Trails of the Smokies lists as highlights on the Gatlinburg Trail: lack of hills, homesites. To this I would agree and add that it is really not so much of trail as it is part of a road and what amounts to a city park walk. The "trail" begins with views of the park maintenance center on the left and the Little Pigeon River on the right.



In order to get to the Twin Creeks trailhead, we had to walk through Gatlinburg. As has been mentioned on this blog in the past, I am not the biggest fan of Gatlinburg, but at least we saw some wildlife on our way through the town.


The Twin Creeks Trail is much more of the typical trail one would find in the park. It is relatively flat and would probably make a good short hike to do with kids, especially if taken in the opposite direction that we hiked it. There are a couple of stream crossings that could present a challenge after it has rained, but overall it is an easy hike.


Hiking Trails of the Smokies states that the hardest part of hiking this trail is finding it.


If you are starting from Ogle Cabin, I would agree. There are no clear signs that mark where the trail begins. There is a path marked as a nature trail which if followed straight to the creek leads to an old mill. This short walk would be great for those who are not looking for a hike, but simply a short stroll through the woods.


We happened upon the mill by accident when we turned right instead of left upon arriving at the end of the Twin Creeks Trail. If you want to start this trail from Ogle Cabin, simply follow the nature trail until you come to the first trail to the right. The trail is just under two miles of mostly downhill travel from this direction.


Since we were traveling the other direction, our path was to lead us 3/4 of a mile up Cherokee Orchard Road to Ashley's least favorite trail in the park so far, Rainbow Falls. We easily found Old Sugarlands trailhead at the top of the hill and began the descent to Sugarlands Visitor Center. Old Sugarlands Trail is one of my favorites in this part of the park as it winds through an old settlement. You can still see signs of the days when people lived and worked in this area.


A good part of the trail follows the Little Pigeon River, but unlike the Gatlinburg Trail there are no signs of modern civilization. A friend and I once happened upon a mother bear with several cubs while walking this trail.

I am glad that we found a day to pick back up on the Humdinger Project. Our hope is to get back to more frequent hikes. If any of our readers are interested in joining us, you are always welcome!