The Hangover

The Hangover at Joyce Kilmer National Forest has been an elusive peak.
On my first attempt, a year ago, I picked it out of a map at random. We followed Hangover lead away from the actual Hangover, since my map did not mark the overlook. On our next attempt, we were thwarted by a fussy 1 year old in a back-pack. On the third attempt, I had car trouble on the way up to the trailhead.
This was my fourth attempt, and I was determined to make this one. I had some luck, in that, I ran into a group from Atlanta that had a shuttle set up at Wolf Laurel trail head, and I was able to do a point to point from Swain Cabin. Thanks AOC!





The Hangover



The Swain Cabin

Back to Fontana

Erin, Macie, Hank and I left town to meet my brother David and Steph-funny and their pup Gordon at Fontana last weekend. We were gloriously out of cell range in the mountains, holed-up in a cabin. Rain daunted us on the way there, but sun shone through at perfect moments.
I woke up early Sunday, aka Mothers day and rode from the cabin to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain with Hank the dog.
Afterwords, I cooked breakfast then we headed back to Big Fat Gap for another try on Hangover Lead. We left the gap following the dogs, which proved faulty, as we realized we were following a creeek. So we back-tracked to the trail head and found the trail we had missed. Once we were on the correct trail, it followed a mountain ridge straight-up and rugged. (There are no trail signs here, its true backcountry.)
We forged on for nearly a couple hours, moving slow, and realizing that we were not going to make it to the Hangover before our precious cargo, Macie, would loose interest... we turned around. Unsuccessful in reeaching the promisland of unparralled views on yet another crystal clear day was frustrating, but we had a great day in the woods. I will return agian one day.
Here's some pics:

Lookout Rock, singlespeed assault. It's all downhill from here, nearly 2000' drop from Yellow Creek Mountain to the bottom of Turkey Chute. Me and the dog.


My bro, David, and his girl Steph-Funny.


Macie on the hike, lunch break.


Macie.


Hank.


Here's a funny story from the hike. Macie has started immitating sounds that we make. So while hiking up a ridge, I was breathing hard and making some noises while hiking. She's riding on my back making the same noises as I climb the ridge, it was addorable. She's so much fun.

You're only as good as the last trail you killed...

...and I'm back from the dragon, having slayed the turkey.
Let me break it down for you; The wife and I packed up the girl and dog, headed up Highway 129/ the Dragon, to Fontana Village, where we met my brother and his crew. We set up camp in a cabin, of which my favorite feature was the lack of cell service. So we chilled out, threw some disc and hung out.
Sunday morning, I jumped out of bed before anyone else, and headed out on the singlespeed with the dog and an I-pod. Dropped into Lewyellyn Cove from the cabin and ripped around feeling great! Then I started into the climb up to Turkey Chute, and just kept going, all the way to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain. It was sunny on top of the mountain, above the clouds. The view was amazing, with only the peaks of the Smokies jutting up from the clouds. I paused for a moment, then dropped off the ridge into the 2000' descent and immediately caught the flow I had been missing in recent weeks. It felt great. By the time I made it to Turkey Chute, I was hauling ass and the dog was there behind me running his heart out. Turkey Chute was in great shape, with some fast jump lines and berms.

Hangover Lead
By noon the sun had burned the smoke from the smokies and blue sky triumphed over grey. Dogwoods were bursting with color, waterfalls we rushing and I was fired up to do a big hike in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest.
So we mapped a route from Big Fat Gap, along Hangover Lead that sounded promising. Afterall, I had heard good things of Hangover Lead. The hike started straight up a mountain ridge, and continued unrelentingly. We had a great time on a blue sky day, but never found the promise land of spectacular views. Upon returning to Knoxville, and consulting 1 Speed Brian, I found out that we should have headed south to reach the Hangover and its amazing views. So I can't wait to go back and try again.







Macie met the Easter Bunny at Fontana Lodge