One of my favorite ways to exercise that is also therapeutic mentally is hiking, and one of my favorite places to do that is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I've probably hiked (dayhikes only, I don't backpack) a good 85% of the trails in the park, those that can be reached through day hikes alone. One of my favorites is the Big Creek Trail on the east side, just south of Cosby, TN. It follows an old logging railroad grade, so it's pretty easy, and very scenic. It runs right alongside Big Creek, which is quite large and full of waterfalls as well as quiet pools with high cliffs sometimes bordering it. There's some interesting railroad history along the way, also, such as a steep but short primitive side trail that leads to a large rocky overhang where the early RR workers camped under until they could build houses for themselves while they worked on the RR.
So give me your comments as to your favorite hikes. Love to hear from you.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I love the Crypt Lake hike in Waterton National Park. Also, Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, and the Five Lakes trail in Jasper. Actually, basically I just really love Jasper - the Canadian Rockies are like no other place in the world!
ReplyDeleteAlannah, I've never been to the Canadian Rockies, although I have been to Rocky Mountain Natl. Park in Colorado. My brother lives nearby so I always take advantage of my visits to him to do some hiking in the park. The last time I went, June 2009, I hiked the Loch Trail. It wasn't that hard as trails go but the higher elevation played havoc with my lungs. But I made it to the Loch. It was worth it. Such an incredibly beautiful lake surrounded by mountains! There is so much beauty in this world that I feel sorry for people who can't, or won't see it. And I've met some like that.
ReplyDelete