Beth Ransom led the October hike. Beth joined FOTS four years ago when she began hiking GSMNP trails, after she completed the Carolina Mountain Club’s Pisgah 400 (hiking all 400 miles of trails in the Pisgah Ranger District) and South Beyond 6000 (40 selected southeastern 6,000-foot peaks).
by Beth Ransom
The weather forecast for the Tuesday FOTS hike at Purchase Knob called for fog and rain! FOTS North Carolina Director Anna Zanetti made a great call to delay the start of the hike until 11 a.m.
We had 22 brave souls show up for the hike, including Regina and Curtis, Park service volunteers, who kindly acted as sweeps (hiking at the back of the group to make sure everyone was with us). It was a pleasure to meet them at the hike.
Our hike destination was Hemphill Bald with a few stops before and after the summit.
Upon hiking out from the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center, we first stopped at Gooseberry Knob for an opportunity to enjoy some Fall color. We lingered here for about 15 minutes allowing for some photographs and some deep relaxing breaths of mountain air. Swag Resort owns the property and has graciously offered this wonderful viewing spot to FOTS as a stopping point on hikes.
We continued on along the trail toward Hemphill Bald for lunch and had some good luck when the mist lifted and we were able to view some beautiful Fall colors across the valley.
The Cataloochee Ranch placed this bald in a conservation easement assuring all hikers to Hemphill Bald access to this special spot for many years to come.
Ferguson Cabin
After lunch and with sunny skies, we began our hike down to visit the Ferguson Cabin. This cabin was built by John Love Ferguson in 1874. The site chosen for the cabin was a bit unusual due to its high altitude (about 4,700 feet).
This historic cabin sits at an elevation higher than any other cabin in the Park. The cabin was originally built as two buildings with a dog trot connecting the them. Mr. Ferguson and his wife raised three children in the cabin.
The Ferguson Cabin and three other cabins in GSMNP were renovated in 2000. A springhouse is located behind the cabin. A few remaining apple trees are near the cabin. The trees are still producing apples, and we had a few hikers try the apples that were dropping from the trees as we were checking out the cabin! In addition to maintaining apple trees, the Fergusons planted corn and had cattle grazing on the property.
Science Learning Center
The hike concluded back at the Science Learning Center with Ranger Paul Super talking with our group. The Fall colors on Purchase Knob against Carolina blue sky was a beautiful backdrop for Ranger Super while addressing our group.
Ranger Super provided us with a wonderful history of the property and how it came to be part of the GSMNP. He also shared with us how the current building is used by research scientists, school children and college students. If I had a view like Purchase Knob every day, I do not think I would get much work done!
I feel so blessed to have this wonderful National Park in my backyard. I quickly learned of the FOTS through Danny Bernstein whom I have known for several years now. I absolutely LOVE the Smokies!
I have learned a lot through my hikes with FOTS about different trails in the Park, the re- introduction of elk into the Park, the program of trapping feral hogs in the Park, the various historical areas (Greenbrier, Cataloochee, Element, Hazel Creek, etc.), and many other points of interest. Most importantly, I have made several new hiking friends!
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Thanks to Linda Spangler for the photos from the hike. You can see more photos on the FOTS Facebook Classic Hike photo album.
The November Classic Hike is the 9.4-mile North Shore Road Loop. The hike is on Nov. 14.
The monthly guided day hikes in the Classic Hikes series are $20 for members. New and renewing members may join Friends of the Smokies and hike for $35. Donations benefit Friends of the Smokies’ Trails Forever program, which provides the opportunity for a highly skilled trail crew to focus reconstruction efforts on high use and high priority trails in the park.
You can register online for Classic Hikes or contact Marielle@FriendsOfTheSmokies.org