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Handbook/ 1932/ Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

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  • and arriving at Tremont at 6 A. M. Bring canteen, light, blankets, and food for 4 meals. About 18 miles round trip. Leaders: LUC1EN C. GREENE (6-1996) FRED J. SHULLEY( 2-2104) // March 20th CHILHOWEE FROM MILLSTONE GAP TO WALLAND This hike starts at Millstone Gap, on the county line between Sevier and Blount counties, from Ellyjoy Church. Upon reaching the gap, the trail follows for some distance an old logging road into the "chestnut double." The "Simon" spring is located on this trail, where canteens may be filled. From here the trail leads out and up to "high top"—the highest peak of the Chilhowees. The U. S. Geological Survey has a marker on this peak. A considerable area on "high top" is cleared and one is given a sweeping view of all this region. To the east and west can be seen the winding crest of Chilhowee. Running parallel with our ridge in the distance are the Smokies, LeConte, Guyot, Clingman's Dome, Siler's Bald, Thunderhead, the Russell Field, Little Bald and Gregory and Parson's Balds and many intervening peaks may be seen distinctly. As we walk along Chilhowee, we may feel that we are on a miniature Great Smoky. The topography is remarkably similar, the various pinnacles seeming to be young Thunderheads and Gregory Balds, and Miller's Cove to our left like a flattened-out, reversed Cade's Cove. We must climb over three little peaks, the last reached by an abrupt turn of the crest to the left, very like the State line ridge's twist beyond Jump-Off." About a mile beyond the third pinnacle is a cave to the left of the dim trail, where some time in the past iron ore was sought. The mining was unsuccessful because, as the mountaineers explain, of the up-evil" of the strata. The walk along the crest of Chilhowee is in every way pleasing: the woods are 21
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