Today was quite the hike.  From the Cheoah Dam the group head along Slickrock Creek Trail.  

About a mile in FHC member Gary had a "water shoe" that jumped out of his pack, how on earth this happened I have no idea.  I guess they were good water shoes because they were headed down a very steep slop to the Little Tennessee River.  WE all watched as the shoe tumbled down the cliff saying are good byes.   Just before reaching the last drop before the river a small tree caught the escaping shoe.  I headed down to get the little sucker.  

You can kind of make me out holding the prodigal shoe above my head.

After taking break just before are first water crossing we strategically stared at the creek waiting for it to tell us how to get across without getting wet. Eventually shoes were switched out or taken off. 

Byron and Rodger stood by the shore waiting to see who would fall in. Although no one did while Janene came close. The exciting part was when she threw her shoes to Byron to stay dry she misjudged the length of the throw causing the shoes to land in the water. It was a very entertaining hike!

What a great day we had for a hike!

After sharing stories on the boat of how we met our significant other, we docked on the North Shore of Fontana Lake.  The group of 15 hikers made way to campsite/old spring where I told the story of how E.H Oliver and Zina Farley met and fell in love on a warm Sunday evening.  AT the Calhoun house the group split.  Some headed to Proctor cemetery and the remaining went about two miles up Hazel Creek.

On the way back from "up Hazel Creek" Lisa ran into another fellow hiker (see image on left) and hollered "hello," or maybe something more like, "ahhh."  It was a great hike and we al enjoyed each others company.

Next week is an amazing hike to Slickrock Wilderness.  For more info email hike@fontanavillage.com.  Or go to BRO's website and read the description I wrote for their "Best Trail" contest.

This week we should launch our FHC website!

This weeks hike was quite the exploration, although not as much as expected. We took a short .5-mile ride from the General Store/Outfitter to the Lookout Rock trailhead in the back of the Village. The first mile of hike is a kicker, but after you reach the ridge the climbing isn’t so bad. We took a quick little trip to Lookout Rock. A few of us got on the large rock for a photo op of the Smokies. It was bright so all the guys are squinting, but somehow Tina manages to keep the lids open, with a slight consequence of burnt retinas (just joking.) We also had a new group of people, which I like to call the “Frankies,” since they are from Franklin, NC. 

After the L. Rock stop we headed East along the ridge to some even better views of the dam and Park.

I thought we were going to be doing some serious bush whacking since no one hikes this trail. Luckily it wasn’t that bad since it’s winter and the briars have not resurrected. The trail was inexistent for only a short time. This trail, the Old A.T. has great potential and will probably be FHC’s first project.

Don’t forget this Saturday, February 16 we have our Couples Hike to Hazel Creek.

Last week I headed out to Shuckstack with a local named Byron. Byron is a great man who knows much about the area and is very helpful. We had a great trip and he taught me a lot about the area. I pointed out to him the Eagle from Shuckstack fire tower. I have been telling people about this for sometime. The picture you are looking out is from the tower. The head on the upper portion of the photo is the mouth of Fontana Marina. The tale is the mouth of Eagle Creek. The wings outstretch across Fontana Lake. Although the creek was not named because of this very easily seen bird, it is an interesting coincidence.

The last hike FHC took was to Wachacha Bald. There are many great views of the Smokies and Slickrock Wilderness along this forest service road. We had a good crowd and are growing. Many greet hikes are in the plan. We are even starting to discuss overnighters.

On this trip we have decided the official staple for nutrition on our hikes are Peanut butter Vanilla Wafers, but don’t ask us for the recipes because it’s a secret. This week we have Lookout Rock/Old AT, AT to marina hike. The following week we have a Couple Hike on Hazel Creek. Bring a loved one for this. The week after that we will be in Slickrock Wilderness. I wrote in to Blue Ridge Outdoor magazine for their Best Trail Contest about this trail. I was given runner up honors. Read it here.