On Saturday September 23, 2017 I did a solo hike from the Thomas Divide trail head on 441 to the Mingus Mill parking area. I read on my favorite FB hiking group that there had been several incidents of vandalism against vehicles parked at trailheads on the North Carolina side of the Park. This has not happened since this little spate of malicious destruction in September that I know of, but at this time the incidents were fresh on FB and in my mind. I have a fairly new Jeep I am extremely fond of and wishing no harm to come to it I asked around the family for a potential drop off at the Thomas Divide trailhead. I felt safer parking at Mingus Mill as it is a popular tourist site with Park attendants at the facility. My youngest son said it was possible I could talk him into it if no other options were available. His grandmother saved him a trip by offering to drop me off on her way to visit my sister who moved to North Carolina. My mom and stepdad wanted to check out her new home and my destination was only a little out of their way. Thanks Mom!!!
We drove over 40 to Maggie Valley then skipped over to the GSMNP via the Blue Ridge Parkway. I dropped my Jeep off at the Mill lot and Mom drove me up to the Thomas Divide Trailhead. It was a beautiful day! Not too hot and not too cool. I took off after bidding my folks farewell.
There were several blow downs on the trail. None proved overly difficult to navigate around or through. Thomas Divide runs ridgeline for its first 5 Miles and those were the miles I had mapped out. It was a most enjoyable walk in the woods with just a hint of fall color to tease the senses. The trail was covered with fallen leaves but the majority of the canopy was still green. There were enough golden and red leaves crunching and crackling underfoot for one to appreciate the change of season. Fall is creeping in, the days are getting shorter.
I took a short break at the trail juncture with Kanati Fork. I sat on the same fallen tree I sat on on my last hike. After a short interlude I pressed on past the Kanati Fork Trail towards my chosen trail. I passed the trail juncture with Sunkota Ridge trail and then I left the Thomas Divide trail at the Newton Bald intersection. The 5 Miles out to Newton Bald were not taxing at all. Feeling pretty good I made the turn onto Newton Bald and got the last little section of that trail in. I am filling in my map. It may take me a while to do. I have set no deadline just made a goal. Hiking Newton Bald I struggled for whatever reason and I turned around before completing the trail to Thomas Divide where it ends. Turning in from Thomas Divide I hiked the short distance to campsite 52. I had rested here once before. When I hiked up Mingus Creek to Newton Bald I walked out Newton Bald to the campsite. I filled in the missing Gap on my map. I took a long contemplative break at the campsite. I strolled around and checked it out thinking that I wouldn’t mind spending a night at the site. I snacked a little then proceeded on to the Mingus Creek Trail and headed down the mountain to where my Jeep waited. My knees protested the down hill hike, they always do. I stopped to give my body a break about half way down. This is the longest hike I have done in a while. I made pretty good time on it. I spent 7 glorious hours alone in the woods. The only folks I passed all day were at the end of the hike as I closed in on Mingus Mill. I got in 11.4 Miles on this loop. Looking forward to the next hike. Until then!!!
The beauty of the mountains and the healing found in the embrace of nature are intertwined to offer such solace to the soul. Leaving behind troubles and fears to enter the wilds offers one the opportunity to release the concerns of the world and take a few steps closer to peace of mind. The benefit of this exercise to body and spirit stretches beyond the experience itself. Hit reset while you are walking and when you step out and drive back into civilization it will take a while for the burdens of life to bind back onto your shoulders. I always feel like a much bigger more well defined person when I come out of the woods free and clear of so many thoughts and worries. It doesn’t seem to take long for that clean slate to start filling up again. The good thing is I know a place I can go to wipe it all clean again.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 