Goldmine Trail to Cane Creek Trail and Park Boundary

 

• Route: Steffner Cir. to Goldmine Trail (.2); Goldmine Trail to Cooper Road Trail (.8); Cooper Road Trail to Cane Creek Trail (.6); Cane Creek Trail to Park Boundary (2.1) -- and back.
• Description: Mostly downhill one-way; easy.
• Total Mileage: 7.4 miles (loop)
• Time Table:  Departure: 9:35; Exit time: 12:25
   Parking to Campsite 2: 45 minutes. To Buchanan Cemetery 1 hour.
• Points of Interest: Buchanan Cemetery, sandy/muddy areas to check for tracks.
• Wildlife: Bear Scat on Cane Creek Tr. past Buchanan Cemetery; numerous bear tracks. Owl feather. Juvenile Southern Toad.
• Notes: Good loop. Uphill on return trip would be a bit much for Bailey. Campsite 2 would make a nice alternative to Campsite 1 for a short 1st backpacking trip.

Date: 9/24/2005
Hikers:
Andy
Pictures:

"Sole Man" Earns His Name

 

• Route: Steffner Cir. to Goldmine Trail (.2); Goldmine Trail to Cooper Road Trail (.8); Cooper Road Trail to Cades Cove Loop Road (8.0); Cades Cove Loop Road to Cades Cove Ranger Station (4.6)
• Description: Gradual uphill and downhill; easy-moderate. 
• Total Mileage: 13.6 miles
• Time Table: Departure Time: 7am; Exit time: 12:30
• Points of Interest: Sam lost the sole to his rt boot around mile 6, lt sole around loop rd. 
• Wildlife: 6 deer (5 on Cooper Rd, 1 on Cades Cove Loop); Southern toad on Goldmine Tr.
• Notes: Next time, have shuttle to trail head and pick up at station.

Date:
9/10/2005
Hikers:
Sam & Andy

 

• Route: Steffner Circle (road at Top o the World) to Goldmine Trail; 
• Total Mileage: 2 miles roundtrip including access trail to GSMNP boundary.
  
• Points of Interest: Downed trees from Hurricane Katrina. 
  
• Wildlife: Southern toad
  
• Notes: Bailey in blue backpack carrier.

Date:
9/6/05
Hikers:
Andy, Jodie, Bailey

Cades Cove Nature Trail

 

• Route: Cades Cove Nature Trail
• Total Mileage: .5 Mile Loop
• Notes: Labor Day
• Wildlife: None
• Points of Interest: Super Mario mushrooms

Date: 9/5/2005
Hikers:
Andy, Jodie, Bailey