Alex Hauck: 2024

Great Smoky Mountains National Park
July 1 – 2, 2024

This has been by far my most challenging hike to date. There were several factors that caused it to be more challenging than it should have been that I will get into later. The hike is around 18.5 to 20 miles, and the altitude high point is around 6,311 ft (about 1,1923.59 m) and the low point around 2,165 ft (about 659.89 m). I chose to hike this loop clockwise going down Forney Ridge Trail and then back up Forney Creek because I wanted to stay at a campsite further into my hike. It might be slightly easier hiking this counterclockwise but that is just splitting hairs. This is a hard hike no matter which direction you hike it.

- AllTrails 3D map of my route -

My Route:

(1)	Forney Ridge Trail	4.5 m
(2)	Springhouse Branch Trail	5.4 m
(3)	Forney Creek Trail	7.4 m
(4)	Forney Ridge Trail	1.1 m

Heading down Forney Ridge Trail I had to stop and have breakfast at Andrew’s Bald. A wonderful place for a cup of Joe with a blueberry scone and take in some views. I was worried that I would be able to see anything because when I started out the mountain was covered in a layer of mist, and I could not see a thing. After breakfast it was time to focus on the long haul I had in front of me.

- Having breakfast at Andrew's Bald -

Going downhill on the ridge was very pleasant with the wind and the higher altitude it was nice and cool that allowed me to keep up a good pace. I am really surprised that I did not run into a bear as there was massive amounts of scat everywhere. After hitting the trail junction with Springhouse Branch, I could start feeling the heat. Without the breeze over the ridge, the lower elevation, and just the general time of day I started to work up a good sweat.

Right around the low point of the hike I came upon the first of several campsites that would be on the way back up. This was campsite #71 CCC and I would think it would be a nice one during colder temperatures as it seemed a little boggy to me and I would imagine a lot of mosquitoes flying around. However, there is a lot of space to spread out and there are some old fireplaces around that look as if they are close to falling.

Continuing up Springhouse Branch I hit the junction with Jonas Creek Trail and Forney Creek Trail. If you take Jonas Creek there is another campsite up a little way, but I did not check it out and headed up Forney Creek. It was here I could start feeling the uphill and after a good day of hiking was looking forward to getting to my campsite #69 Huggins.

- Tent set up at campsite #69 Huggings -

Around 3:30 and after about 14 miles I game to my campsite for the night and started looking for a good spot. After resting for a couple minutes and a few bites of jerky I found a nice spot and got to work putting up my tent. It was at this point I started to notice some bees landing on my sweating equipment. Pretty soon I realized bees were in fact everywhere and they would be all over me if I stopped moving for more than a minute.

I thought about packing up and trying to stay at campsite #68 further up the trail, but that was a good hike, and I was tired. I would also have to repack everything that was now covered in bees. The good thing was that the bees were not aggressive, so I decided to tough it out and tried to get a smoky fire going to see if that would help. It did not. I just had to keep walking the campsite whether eating and walking, drinking and walking, or just walking to keep the bees off.

Finally, once night set it the bees that were not stuck on my stuff went away and I took just a little respite and decided I needed to pack up anything I could tonight, wake up early and get out of dodge before the bees came back out. While folding my sweaty socks I got stung as a bee crawled up inside and could not get out. Finally headed to bed and had my alarm set for 05:00

I had planned to get an early start to try and beat the heat, but this was much earlier than I wanted. I was wasted and did not get up until just before 06:00, but I got to work and started getting everything together. I was feeling good about beating the bees, so I decided to make breakfast and coffee. This was a mistake. As soon as I sat down to start eating the light started to peak through the trees and the bees started to reappear. There I was walking and eating my breakfast just like dinner. I even got stung again as one landed on my shirt sleeve where my elbow bends.

I had to pack a few items in my bag and then move it a little way and then pack a little more and move my bag again. Finally, I was on the trail and away from the bees. I honestly believe it was all this that made my second day harder than it should have been. I got no real rest, could not hydrant like I wanted to, and walked who know how many more miles at camp just trying to keep the bees off me.

- A small waterfall over one of the several creek crossings -

I trudged along what seemed like forever and had already gone through my water. I really like to hydrant a lot while at camp but just could not this time between the bees and packing. It felt like a god send when I hit the lower part of campsite #68 Steeltrap where I rehydrated with some Gatorade and had a good snack. In hindsight I should have taken a small nap and did some more rehydrating but decided to get back on trial for the final push.

I do want to stay the night at campsite #68 one day as both the lower and upper sites have some beautiful water features. The two sections are separated by about 5-10 minutes with the lower have a nice little swimming hole and the upper a magnificent waterfall cascade. Both sites are fairly small with the upper having room really for only one tent.

- The swimming hole at the lower campsite of #68 -

That last three and a half miles was the longest hike of my life. I should have refilled my bladder when I was at the campsite but thought it would not take that long to finish and I should have enough water, but I ran out. I did find a little mountain runoff where I was able to get some water and took another long rest. I was never happier to see a trail junction sign than when I came on the one for Forney Ridge.

That last mile was a battle between my mind and my body to keep moving but I finally reached the end. This was the first hike I felt as if I truly had nothing left in the tank. It was beautiful, challenging, fun, and excruciating all at the same time. I do think if I were able to get a proper rest at camp it would not have been as bad, but this was still one of the most difficult hikes in the park with some intense heat so it would not have been a picnic either. At some point I would like to try this one going the other way as a day hike, just to see.

As always, my friends hike on, and stay safe out there! Until the next adventure.