Day 6 - Campsite 92 to Twenty Mile Ranger Station

Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Loss: 3,320 feet


Today, although similar in distance, the track was of good quality, walking down a ridge on an old road built by a 1920's logging operation. 

Our packs were very much lighter having consumed all the food and snacks.






Although mostly fast walking, there were several creek crossings requiring concentration.








The trees were so tall. 

 We were making fine speed and would be out by 11.
We stopped for a final break to take in the forest.

Sadly, we never saw bears. One hiker said he'd been in the woods for over 30 years and never seen one. Despite this, one evening a guy came in saying he'd accidentally been 20 yards from one  on the main track.


I was pleased to have met someone who seen a bear!
A final farewell to our travelling companions.
There's a strange alchemic intimacy among fellow hikers.






Transient friends, perhaps never to meet again, but indelible memories.
Just 30 minutes and we'll be out of the park.
But what was that?
Oh my!
The Smoky Mountains are home to one of the
densest bear populations on the continent. 
He was about a year and half, preparing himself for his first winter alone 
He had not the slightest interest in us.
But was far more interested in eating.
As I learnt, "a bear is a hungry animal, intent on eating as much as possible, so it can sleep for as long as possible".
What cheese do you use to lure a bear out of his cave?
Camembert
Come on bear!
He wondered out onto the main road blocking our return. 
We backed off as a group. He seemed nonchalant and non-plussed.
After many photos, we had to be getting on! We made a noise, banged out sticks...
...and he reluctantly moved, but only to get out of our way so he could carry on eating.

Lost    

Stand still.
The trees ahead and the bushes beside you Are not lost.
Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still.
The forest knows Where you are.
You must let it find you.

by David Whyte


Fabulous waterfalls as we exited the National Park.
I hope to return - perhaps to be a 'Through hiker' one day!

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