Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Road Scholar Hiking Adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, October 6-11, 2019

I participated in the excellent Road Scholar program, “Choose Your Pace: A Hiking Adventure in the Great Smokey Mountains”, from October 6 thru 11, 2019. We were provided a choice of three hikes each day, from 5 to 13 miles in length ranging in difficulty from easy/moderate to strenuous. Every day was an enjoyment: Super group participants, knowledgeable guides, and spectacular Smoky Mountain scenery. Lodging and family-style meals were provided at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. This was my first Road Scholar activity; it will not be my last. Very well done!

I hope you enjoy viewing these 49 photos. 
Optionally click on a photo for a larger view and slide show.

Little River near the entrance to the Great Smoky National Park


Little River along Laurel Creek Road





Middle Prong of the Little River along the Tremont Road


Ahhh ... in the Smokies at last!

Dormitory within the
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont 

Group Photo during the Roundtop Trail hike

Sourwood tree

Big Leaf Magnolia along the Roundtop Trail

Lynn Camp Cascades near the beginning of the Indian Flats Trail


Lynn Camp Prong



Dolls Eyes, aka White Baneberry (Actaea-pachypoda)

Group photo during the Indian Falls Trail hike

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain (Goodyera pubescens)

Another view of Lynn Camp Prong

Beginning of a series of Indian Flats Falls






Arch Rock along the Alum Cave Trail

Our guide, Joey, for the Alum Cave Trail

Inspiration Point - Rhododendron

Eye of the Needle

80-foot tall Alum Bluff

Alum Bluff Trail group photo

Trailhead for a hike on my own to Spruce Flats Falls









Base of Spruce Flats Falls







Little River at The Sinks





Umbrella Magnolia along the Meigs Mountain Trail



Interest rock 'sculpture' adjacent to the 
parking lot of The Sinks