Kayak Fontana Lake

12/19 - 12/21/21 (2 nights)
2021 Bag Nights: 43

I put in at the Flat Branch Rd boat ramp and headed towards Site 72 in the Smokies, a beautiful day for a paddle.

Site 72 is a nice one in the trees

It is right at a bend in the lake so there are good views of the water.

The ridge behind camp

The water level in the lake is dropped for the winter, it will fill back up with rain and snow over the next couple of months.

My kayak far below

Moonrise through the trees

The next day I paddled over to Site 73 to check it out. 

View from Site 73

I paddled further down the lake and noticed what looked to be a flag on a ridge. 

As I got closer, I decided to see what was up there ...

... I found a grave site

Old boat on the ridge

Heading back towards camp

Last morning, nice sunrise

Lake mist glowing in the sun

Paddling back to the ramp

At one point, I looked up and saw what looked like a marker of some sort. I decided to climb up and check it out. Turned out to be another grave marker. 

Nice view of the lake from the marker

And then back to the ramp and car and home.

Cumberland Gap

Cumberland Gap National Historic Park
Civic Park Trailhead (Ewing Trail)
12/1 - 12/3/21 (2 nights)
2021 Bag Nights: 41

My original intention was to do an out and back from the visitor center along the whole ridge along with an extra night. But when I tried to call about permits and water sources, the phone system/voice mail wasn't working. I got to the visitor center and found out that all of the designated campsites along the ridge had been closed because of bear activity. The only site open was the White Rocks site at the far end of the park. Oh well, change of plans. 

I drove over to the Civic Park Trailhead and headed up the trail. The trailhead is on the right hand side of the map with the gap on the left. 

The trailhead is on the far lower right side of image. 

A couple miles and 1700' up to the ridge. 

I headed over to Sand Cave, very impressive. 

Interesting rocks on the ceiling

Me for perspective, very big

I headed up to White Rocks to check out the sunset, but it was very cloudy and very windy. I did not stay long and headed back to camp and a fire for the evening. 

Next morning it was again overcast, no sunrise so I lingered in camp with coffee and then headed to Hensley Settlement. It turned into a beautiful day for hiking along the ridge. 

Hensley Settlement is a preserved "village". According to Wikipedia many people left during WW2, only a couple were left after the war. Wikipedia

I ate lunch and enjoyed the rocking chair on the porch of the ranger cabin (no one was there).

Blacksmith tools through the window

I see you

Back to camp and then up to White Rocks for a better sunset.

I headed back for a sunrise view the next morning

And then back to pack up camp and back towards the car. I headed down the trail with a detour planned. The USGS map shows the location of an old firetower not far from the current trail. I figured it would make for a fun little excursion vs rushing to the car. 

There turned out to be a sort of trail heading in the right direction. I found the old foundations of the tower and the benchmark without much trouble. 

Foundation (concrete and rebar)

Telephone or telegraph pole

More foundation

And then down the trail to the car.

Good trip, definitely not what I planned. Not sure I will return since almost all of the ridge has no views and you have to camp at specific sites.