|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,950 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,950 Likes: 5 |
In mid-January my left knee started giving me problems. Finally saw a Dr. in early March and found out I'm just getting old. Meniscus was worn pretty bad and a big chunk of it had to come out on March 23rd. I responded to therapy pretty well and 10 weeks after surgery I decided it was time to give it a test. My wife and I decided to climb to the Mt Leconte Lodge in the SMNP. https://www.lecontelodge.com/It is a group of remote cabins in the middle of the park. The only way in is to walk. There are several trails, we chose the Alum Cave trail. It is the shortest at 5.5 miles, but also the steepest, most rugged and most scenic. There is almost 3000' elevation change so this was a pretty good challenge on a knee 10 weeks from surgery. Especially since I'd been pretty inactive for 4+ months with knee pain and rehab. The knee did fine. I could tell I'm out of shape, but I survived 11+ miles of rugged terrain better than I expected. My wife of almost 30 years. She looks a lot better than me [img]http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/021_zpse3349e00.jpg[/img][img]http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/066_zpsedf7f3fe.jpg[/img][img]http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/jmr40/060_zps9948072a.jpg[/img]
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,152
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,152 |
To play the game, you first gotta have game. - Ike Turner
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,317 |
Awesome. Great pictures, neat place, and good news on the knee.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,327
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,327 |
Nice hike. We go over that way every year and I always want to do that hike but never have.
Gloria In Excelsis Deo!As far as gear goes.. The poorer (or cheaper) you are, the tougher you need to be. gpopecustomknives.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 670
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 670 |
My cousins have been after me to do that hike with them for a while, looks fun.
�Some people hear their own inner voice with great clearness. And they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy�or they become legend."--Jim Harrison www.doing-manly-things.com
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853 |
i was over there last week. we hike up there alot. the park is only about an hour drive from me.
My idea of being organic is taking a dump in the woods.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853 |
did you see the falcons? they nest down to the left of the eye of the needle that you have a picture of.
My idea of being organic is taking a dump in the woods.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,950 Likes: 5
Campfire Outfitter
|
OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,950 Likes: 5 |
Was not aware of the Falcons, will have to look for them the next time. This is the 3rd time up there for us. We've never stayed at the lodge, too expensive. But it is a good day hike. I've thought about taking one of the other routes, but can't imagine the views would be nearly as scenic.
We live about 1/2 way between Atlanta and Chattnooga, about a 3-4 hour drive depending on stops and traffic. We get into the Smokies 2-3 times a year.
Most people don't really want the truth.
They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,853 |
JMR. Next time you are up there and stop across the valley from the hole in the rock or eye of the needle as it's called. look down to the left of that hole. Periguine (sp?) falcons nest there. you can see them with binocs or a spotting scope. there was a spur trail that went down to it. you'll pass it on the way up. it's blocked off now because of the nesting falcons.
My idea of being organic is taking a dump in the woods.
|
|
|
|
67 members (10Glocks, 6mmbrfan, 10gaugemag, 300_savage, 673, 10 invisible),
1,532
guests, and
698
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,977
Posts18,499,511
Members73,984
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
|