Below is our official “on our actual anniversary” picture! We were traveling from our now favorite hiking location, Sapphire Valley (near Cashiers), NC. to one of our former favorite hiking locations – The Smoky Mountains! Click to read about our last time here, March 2019. Such a great time then but we’ve decided this is probably our last visit here. Why? What happened? Read on…
Our first trip we remember to the Smokys in 2012 was to celebrate our daughter’s birthday and our 37th Anniversary. We loved our time there and said we would return! But it was not meant to be until we returned in March 2019. We actually had reservations there while still in our RV, the fall of 2018. We each needed some minor surgery – we are getting older, after all. That caused us to cancel. That was the beginning of our decision to stop living full time in our RV. However, Bill says one time, we can’t recall the date, we meet my mom and step dad there. I ALWAYS take a photo to document such events. But I can’t find it. This was my step dad’s favorite place to visit – and he brought my mom enough that it became her favorite as well. A few random photos below of our April 2012 trip to the Smokys.
When something is elusive, doesn’t it make it more desirable? We started traveling using RCI (Resort Condominiums International) in September 2021. We miss our RV traveling and were looking for a new way to travel and always be in our “home.” This is a good alternative. HOWEVER, we had been unable to get a reservation in the Smoky until now, 2025! So here we are! Our condo:
We had hoped we could quickly hit the trails. But we discovered, it’s really CROWDED in April. Let me back up. We went into the Sugarland Visitor’s Center to get a map of hikes. While we use All Trails App, Bill prefers a paper version. There, we learned of one change since 2012. From the website: “A parking tag is required on any vehicle parked in the park for more than 15 minutes. Entrance to the park is free, but most visitors will need a parking tag. Parking tags are $5 for the day, $15 for the week, or $40 for the year.” We bought the weekly pass and one map. The parking tags seem reasonable for this most visited National Park in the nation. The website boasts of 12 million visitors a year.
4/12/2025 As it turned out, the map was NOT what we had wanted. While we were acclimating, we looked for something close by and not busy! We found the Trotter Bluff Loop which included the Douglas Headwater Campground. Another easy but lovely short hike. A few photos:
4/13/2025 As nice as that “warm up” walk was, we were ready to climb a mountain. Off we headed to Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop Trail. We had no idea what we were in for but it was all good! This tested me but again, Bill seemed to glide up the steep elevation. Immediately after the hike, I posted this in All Trails: “Parking was a bit of a challenge as it’s spring break season. We thought an easy four to five miles. But it turned out to be a relatively steep two mile uphill hike, return for four miles. But we could make a decision after two miles. Make it a there and back with an easy decline back down? Or go on an unknown loop? We chose the later not knowing it was five more miles back with lots of incline, decline and small rapids, well, a fast stream to cross. But we did it as we both felt like we were now back in hiking conditions after a week in Shappire valley, NC.” We inadvertently stopped the app in a few places, but this was well over 7 miles! Here are a few pictures – I was unable to take more because it really was challenging on the way “back”:
We talked a few times with another couple of hikers. The trip “back down” was not so direct. We chatted as one was reviewing directions from a book. It reminded me of our go to hiking expert (from our Shenandoah hiking year, 2003-2004). She said it indeed was one of Johnny Molloy’s books: “Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 50 Must-Do Hikes for Everyone.” I completely forgot I had bought it in 2019 for our return trip here. It’s been collecting dust. So off to the local book store and bought another one.
4/14/2025 Off to Alum Cave Trail to Mount LaConte. We were feeling like we were fully acclimated and ready for another challenge. Maybe it was the difficulty parking, maybe I had not dressed properly, or maybe I needed another day to recover. But I was not able to go as far as we would have liked. Here are a few pictures, in reverse!
4/15/2025 Bullhead to the Pulpit We recalled this hike in 2019. But really struggled locating the same trailhead. What we loved about it was that we were ALONE on the entire trail. That seemed to be our goal in 2019 after sharing the trail with crowds. I recalled parts of it but somehow, we didn’t find the exact trail from last time. But I do have one photo that shows we started at the same trailhead. In my opinion!!! These below pictures are from different points of view. It was a lovely hike.
4/16/2025 Clingman Dome, now called Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail. Of course we had to revisit! It “is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sitting at an impressive elevation of 6,643 feet. This stunning location is known for its breathtaking views and beautiful natural surroundings….The viewing tower at Clingmans Dome allows guests to see far and wide, often on clear days allowing visibility for more than 100 miles.” Through hikers on the Appalachian Trail make it here. I love chatting with them to hear where they are from! Here we are in 2019 and 2025, some through hikers and a few pictures of the 100 mile views!
4/17/2025 Walker Sisters Home via Little Briar Gap Trail. It turns out our wonderful top trails by Molloy wasn’t as helpful in finding this trail head. We tried the All Trails App to no avail. Talked with a Park Ranger-he was new so couldn’t help. We finally just headed up a hill – turns out it was ONE way to get to the home! It was well worth the extra aggravation parking and looking for the trailhead. Johnny Molloy’s guide book failed us on the directions. But it was one of the MUST do 50 hikes. It was definitely a challenge – and I managed without huffing and puffing! Phew, looks like my health is finally restored. We hope to spend at least another five days after Easter and family time in one other favorite hiking location! A few photos from the Walker Sister’s Home hike, which included a school house and Cemetary.
Their family story is amazing, starting in 1866. From the National Park Service Website: “With the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hundreds of families were asked to move out of their mountain homes. Some went willingly, and others fought against it, but most families moved immediately. A select few, including the six unmarried Walker sisters, received a special lifetime lease—a chance to live out the rest of their lives in the log cabin they were raised in, even after the creation of a national park. Their incredible story is one of strength, hard work, and a love for the land of the Smokies.”
4/18/2025 This wonderful and historical hike ended our time in the Smokies. While we really enjoyed all of our times here, the traffic takes away from what we love about hiking. Solitude and a time to enjoy God’s creation. A bonus is to see glimpses into the lives of those who went before us. Those who helped settle our beautiful country and tamed the wilderness. Next stop Easter and family time. Mainly watching our grandsons play sports!
” In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.” Isaiah 2:2
Follow the Tumble Lees! 