Early October along the Appalachian Trail
Fall is definitely in the air at these elevations and for the first time this season I have to don a long undershirt. It feel GREAT after a sweltering hot and dry summer.
Early October along the Appalachian Trail. Although its a lousy picture, it gives you a sense of the boreal Spruce-Fir forest of the high elevation Smokies.
Giant fallen Fraser fir along the AT. Those that have visited since the 1980s know of the non-native insect infestation that killed the majority of the mature Frasers in the Park.
Cool bright yellow fungus on the rock
On my way to the Jumpoff
Early October view from the AT. Newfound Gap Road on the distant ridge.
Early October view from the AT
Early October view from the AT. Views like this are a big reason I drive 200 miles on a weekend to come visit this special place.
Ok, this was odd....trail crews cut the tree and it stuck in mid-air. Call Ripleys in Gatlinburg! :o)
I thought I would have lunch at Icewater Springs shelter. If it is 0.3 miles to the Jumpoff Trail junction from here then I'm the Queen of England. More like 0.3 yards.
Icewater Springs hiking shelter - 6000 ft above sea level.
The view from the Icewater Springs shelter
Recently renovated Icewater Springs hiking shelter, one of the most popular in the park due to its proximity to Newfound Gap.
A dark-eyed junco maybe?
Waiting for me to drop some of my lunch.
The sign pointing the way to the Jumpoff
On the Jumpoff trail. This is not an official Smokies trail so it doesn't count towards the "900 mile club".
It may not be official, but it has some of the best views in the Park.
Looking toward famous Mount LeConte from the Jumpoff
Again, Mount LeConte
Made it to the Jumpoff and immediately you understand the name...1000 foot sheer drop and a VERY skinny ridge to stand on.
The views from the Jumpoff were just spectacular on this early October day.
Looking north across Horseshoe Mountain into Tennessee
Looking east towards Charlies Bunion
See the people on Charlies Bunion
Hikers looking back at us from Charlies Bunion
The Sawteeth and Charlies Bunion from the Jumpoff
Looking south now from the Jumpoff
Looking north from the Jumpoff
Looking 1000 feet down into the Porter Creek valley from the Jumpoff
Looking west towards Mount LeConte from the Jumpoff
North into Tennessee
Another of the eastern view
And a couple shots of me to prove I've been here.
Some shots on the return trip from the Jumpoff
