Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Program of hikes for 1930/ Smoky Mountains Hiking Club

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

  • March 9 CHIMNEY TOPS This is a hike that furnishes ample variety both in scenery and in mountain climbing to interest any ambitious hiker. The cars will be parked on the new Indian Gap highway near the base of the Chimneys, where the hike proper will begin. We will follow the picturesque Indian Gap trail which threads its way along the Road Prong creek, crossing and recrossing this stream several times. This trail affords unsurpassed views of numerous falls, "gracefully cascading cataracts" which adorn this stream (and other streams of the Smokies). About two arid a half miles up this creek we reach the intersection of a trail which crosses to the right. We follow the ravine which furrows the side of the Sugarlands. This trail, which was once a "government" trail, is now little used. It is extremely inviting, affording marvelous views down the valley from various places along the route. The trail winds its way to the top of Bear Ben Gap. We do not cross, but turn right along the rhododendron capped crest of the Sugar- lands. This ridge offers a succession of views into yawning valleys and across the valleys to the blue-walled mountains in almost any direction. There is a velvety carpet of moss down the entire crest of the mountain which makes walking or crawling very easy. We must be on the lookout for the Chimneys, which are now below us, at the northern end of a ridge leading down from the Sugarlands. The junction of the Chimneys ridge with the Sugar- lands is hidden in a tangle of rhododendron and fallen trees. But once we get on this knife-like ridge, the route is clear to the gallant and spectacular "little" Chimneys. These twin peaks can not be surpassed for color and formation. The views give a fitting climax to this trip. Mt. Le Conte, Mt. Mingus, Mt. Alexander (soon to be Mt. 19
Object
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).