Sunday was a perfect day for hiking. We continue to find new trails in familiar places. We headed to Deep Creek in the Smoky Mountains to hike the waterfalls loop trail and for the most part we did. But, we do have a hard time sticking to the trails we set off to hike. The forest provides a labyrinth of paths, some marked and some not. Some of the paths are well traveled and some not so much. When we come upon one of the trails, not so well traveled, or maybe even not marked, a little side trip is usually in order.

These smaller, less traveled paths are always intriguing. It is much rarer to see other people on them. The trails are often more overgrown, providing a greater sense of adventure and discovery. One of these trails was accessible off the main trial we were traveling. From the direction we were coming the path veered off and downward to the right. About one-hundred yards down the path was a stream. The other side of the trail was accessible by a log bridge. The log forming the bridge was about two feet in diameter and had been cut flat on one side to provide a walking surface. Along one side were five smaller upright log branches providing support for the log handrail. The bridge was both functional and practical. There was not room for two people to cross going in opposite directions at the same time, nor to cross side-by-side. The bridge had a little wiggle to it as you walked, and that wiggle put a smile on the face. It was perfect for what it does and where it was located.

We crossed the bridge and ventured a ways up the path. It was narrow but easy to follow. The only reference we had with us was the picture on our phone of the trails from the map located at the trail head. At the more popular spots there is usually a little kiosk with a map and general information about the area. This trail was off the edge of the map so we were not certain where it came out. After a little time we turned around, bookmarking it for another day. We are adventurous, but we do not want to become one of the stories we hear about of people getting lost or injured, and having to be rescued and carried out of the forest. We followed these same patterns on a couple more trails and marked them for future adventures as well.

We have on a couple of occasions encounter people who have overextended themselves and needed help. The first time we were on an easy hike along the Oconaluftee River Trail. We do this hike, it is really more like a walk, every now and then because it is one that allows dogs. It’s about three-miles roundtrip and one day while walking it we came upon a woman with her two young teenage children. They were tubing the river. The woman was exhausted and stuck on a rock in the river. Her children seemed to not know or understand the fact that she was in trouble. We started calling for them to come back to their mother. Saskia waded into the water and helped the woman get loose from the rocks and get to the shore. The woman was done, finished. She had no energy left and was going no farther. The kids came back and we instructed them to stay with her. We had no cell reception, which is common in the mountains, so we were not able to call for help. After making sure they were as comfortable as possible we headed down the path. The trail ended at the state park visitor center. There we explained to one of the volunteers what had happened and where the people were located. They radioed for help and the people were rescued.

Another time we were hiking in a spot new to us in the Smoky’s. The trailheads are located at the end of a paved road affectionately known around here as The Road To Nowhere. This is an interesting place. Once upon a time a road was to have been constructed through this part of the forest but it was never completed. So, the road ends at a barricade. Just past the barricade is a tunnel and then the forest. We were hiking in and the trial is I guess a moderate one. Maybe a couple of miles in we saw an odd looking young man backpacking out. We had a nod but did not exchange words. Continuing our hike I was finding the trail to be a little difficult. There were spots with pretty steep inclines that lasted for a pretty good distance. After a while we decided to turn back. We did not have a map and had no idea where the path went. We later discovered it is pretty large place with one trail being thirty-seven miles long. On our way back we found the young man sitting by the side of the trail. He seemed disoriented and exhausted. We spoke with him and he was done with his adventure. He had no energy left to finish the path even though we told him it was only a mile or two more. Didn’t matter, end of story. We shared some of the trail mix we had and left him some water. He said he had contacted the forest service with his phone and they were on the way to get him. We thought that odd bur accepted his story.

These two experiences help me to remember to know my limits and pay attention to my body. I do not want to become a statistic. I want to become more knowledgeable about the mountains and how to travel in them safely.

This Sunday was one of those days. We had fun. One of the side trails we ventured off on lead us to a spot by a rushing stream that was beautiful. We sat on the rocks and had our snacks and water. We talked and enjoyed the time. While this hike, in general, is one we have been on several times, it still provided a sense of newness and I’m sure it will continue to do so in the future.