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Handbook/ 1932/ Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

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  • Leave Dixie System at 1 P. M. Bring food for three meals. Hiking distance about 9 miles. Altitude 6593 feet. Leaders: S. MARCOVITCH (2-5233) MABEL JOYNER (5-5945) //" February 21st ECHO POINT, VIA ALUM CAVE Excellent views can be obtained from this trail of the sharp, "knife-edge" ridge known as Duckhawk Ridge, named for the duckhawks which nest there. Keep a sharp look-out for glimpses of the "Needle's Eyes," holes thru the ridge. There arc two holes, but most people think there is only one which is visible from two different places. The duckhawks which nest here are falcons and not eagles. Altho these birds scream in an eagle-like fashion, they are much smaller birds. They are magnificent flyers and capture their prey on the wing. The area is within the Smoky Mountains National Park, and the birds must not be molested. Lunch will be eaten at Alum Cave. After lunch we climb to Echo Point. Test the echo and then explain it. An excellent view of LeConte, the Jump-Off and Mount Mingus is obtained in one direction and the Chimneys and Huggins Hell, with the Sugarlands in the foreground, in the other direction. Leave Dixie System at 8 A. M., drive to Gatlinburg via Sevierville, continue on Highway No. 71, and park cars at Grassy Patch, which will be marked with a small flag. Cross the stream and follow the trail to Alum Cave. The trail crosses the stream in several places. Bring canteen and food for one meal. Canteens should be filled at the last crossing. The last part of the trail is fairly steep. Hiking distance 4 miles round trip. Leaders: GEORGE M. HALL (2-4640) THRESSA HICKMAN (2-4755) 18
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