Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Handbook/ 1931/ Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

items 17 of 68 items
  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-9803.jpg
Item
?

Item’s are ‘child’ level descriptions to ‘parent’ objects, (e.g. one page of a whole book).

  • the other. This hike starts at the extreme southwestern end of the National Park and follows the state-line over Dal- ton's Gap and Parson's Bald to Gregory. Later in the year we have another hike, the Sharp Top trip, on May 16-17, which takes us to the other end of the Park. On this trip to Gregory we drive, via Maryville, Tallassee Springs, and Calderwood to the Tennessee-North Carolina line at Deal's Gap. Between Calderwood and the Gap we will see the new Calderwood dam and lake. This is doubtless one of the most thrilling views to be had from a highway, and is one of the outstanding features of this trip. We park our cars at Deal's, Gap and walk eastward along the crest of the Smokies. The trail is similar to that from Cade's Cove to Gregory — steep but smooth, and through beautiful open forests. Wild turkeys are frequently seen along this trail. There are many outlook points along this trail, but the best views of the day will be seen from Parson's Bald. From there we can see the meandering route of the Deal's Gap Highway, the Calderwood Dam and lake, the Tapoco Lake, the Rymer's Ferry power house and surge tank, and the Santeetlah dam and lake. Then we hike another mile and a half to Gregory's Bald and get a good view of Cade's Cove and the state-line between Gregory and Thunderhead. All in all, this trip affords some of the choicest views to be had in the Smokies. While it is a bad policy to drink much water while hiking, you are reminded that this is a "dry" trail, so take a well-filled canteen. There is only one dependable spring along the whole six-mile trail. Any who may prefer a shorter hike can go westward from Deal's Gap about two miles to the upper end of the Calderwood Lake on the Little Tennessee River. They can then walk another mile up the river to the Tapoco dam and power house if they care to. Leave the Saunders System at 7 A. M. Round-trip drive 104 miles. Round-trip hiking distance about 12 miles. Trail steep but smooth. Elevation 4,948 feet. Cost of transportation about $2.30 each. Take canteen and food for one meal. Leaders: EARL LODEN (Phone 2-2103) and W. C. MCCAMMON (Phone 2-1721). 17
Object
?

Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).