Native Flame Azalea, Found in abundance: yellow, orange, red, pink
and white varieties (maybe more!)
Gregory Bald
We most recently ascended the Gregory Bald trail from Sam's Gap and descended
along the Gregory Ridge trail in the third week of June, 1989. Extreme rains
made the water higher than we had ever seen them. However, the Gregory Bald
trail was in excellent condition. Gregory Ridge trail was soggy and in places,
flooded. It was only fairly well maintained in dry weather in some places. The
flame azaleas were just beginning to bloom. We missed the elusive peak by
several days. Rains had closed the Parsons Branch road, so we walked it,
adding three miles to the ascent. Not a soul was on the trail, however, so the
solitude was nice. Returning down the Gregory Ridge trail was very busy.
Campground 13 at Sheep Pen Gap is a large, flat and open spot - excellent for
overnight stays. The lower elevation campground below has lots of trees, lots
of people and is not nearly so level. However, there is water at hand in the
bottoms. I saw none at #13. Because the Sheep Pen Gap campground is less
than a half mile from the top, a stay here would allow a magnificent night
hike to the bald on clear nights. I have yet to hike up to Gregory Bald
without exhaustion. The grade is not too tough, but the climb is relentless.
The view over Cades Cove is truly spectacular.
View from Gregory's Bald looking over Cades Cove.
The view southward over Fontana,
Shuckstack and Nantahala is also nice. Including our thirty minutes on
the top, we made the hike in a modest to slow six hours. The sun is hot on
the bald (hill and people both)! Learn from our mistakes and bring along
suntan lotion!
More Flaming Azaleas!
A Southerly view!
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