Up; An Ike and Lu adventure through the Smokey Mountains

Thank you – that was a great trip report…the perfect mix of photos and narrative.  I’m guessing she had the UL pack and that you carried the food and non-water beverages.

Thanks for posting this trip report. It was fun to read about your friendship and the trails are gorgeous. They are so lush and green compared to most of the trails I spend time on.

Excellent trip report, Ike! What a wonderful thing to find a partner with a similar love for adventure. Photos and narrative were captivating, as usual. I look forward to reading more Ike and Lu Adventures!

Great report Ike and quite a intro for Lu.  I have hiked most of those trails.

One tiny editorial comment- it is Smoky and Smokies instead of Smokey and Smokeys.

Ike,

Great trip report!  Lu is definitely a keeper!  Did I read right that you did 25 mile days on this trip?

As a fellow Michigander:  When are you taking her to Pictured Rocks?

Your “old man’s beard” is on point! Good stuff, man. Thanks for sharing.

Oh, by the way, camping in the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is only permitted in designated campsites and requires a permit. Thank you.

Thanks guys, and thank you Mark for the important clarification. We had backcountry permits and a reasonable itinerary for our abilities. Unfortunately, Lu got sick on the second afternoon and was unable to continue to our designated campsite at the Kephart shelter.

Jeff, it’s been a while since that trip, but if I remember correctly, our itinerary had called for about 18 miles day 1, 25 day two, and 7 or 8 on the departure day. We ended up falling short on day two by a couple miles. As you may know, I’m pretty partial to Pictured Rocks in winter, and have been hoping to talk Lu into seeing the ice formations with me in February.

Ike

There are just a few places in the Smokies with great ridge views. You found one: Charlie’s Bunion. The creeks really steal the show in the Smokies though.