Yellow Man

It was a beautiful day for a hike.  We had heard about Yellow Man, a pictograph east of Apple Valley, Utah, but didn't know exactly where it was.  After a little research we set out to explore the area.  A 4-wheel drive vehicle isn't necessary unless you want to drive to the end of the road where Yellow Man is located.   

If you pass by this windmill you are on the right road

Apparently someone lived here at one time

Christmas is just around the corner, if only we had a star

The alcove where Yellow Man pictograph and some petroglyphs can be found

Yellow Man

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It's late November and these leaves are still hanging in there

Looking back towards Yellow Man

Taking a much deserved break, Chipper had a blast exploring the area with us

Our view to the south

Great views of Zion National Park,
 as we continued on the Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway

The Rockville Bridge is a one lane bridge

The Virgin River flows under the bridge on its way to Nevada and Arizona

Taylor Creek Hike

If you've never driven through the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, you should.  Even if you don't plan to hike, the 5 mile scenic drive offers great views of the Kolob Canyons, also known as Kolob Fingers.  Saturday we enjoyed a hike up the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek, it's an easy 5 mile hike.  Highlights include two historical cabins built in the 1930's and the Double Arch Alcove.  Be prepared to cross the creek a few times! 

Taylor Creek is a family friendly hike

 Kolob Canyons offers a unique experience 

We crossed Taylor Creek at least 60 times each way!

 Tucupit Point towers over the trail  

Larson Cabin built in 1930

Bigtooth Maple

Taylor Creek 

Changing of the seasons

Fife Cabin built in 1930 

Sign in the Fife cabin

Double Arch Alcove . . . this is where we turned around

Porters Creek Trail

Porters Creek is a 4 mile hike in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains, about 6 miles east of Gatlinburg.  If you enjoy a nice walk in the woods while listening to a rushing stream, discovering old buildings and reading headstones in an old cemetery this hike is for you.  To top it off, if you continue on up the trail you will be rewarded with great views of Fern Branch Falls.  This is where the trail ends, it's all downhill from here!

Porters Creek is located in the Greenbrier section of the Smoky Mountains

These steps once led to the Cantrell farmstead, only a few remnants remain

A little further down the trail we found the Ownby Cemetery dating back to 1903

Smoky Mountain Hiking Club Cabin built 1934-1936
They used it until 1981

The cabin was built around an existing chimney of the Whaley house

John Messer Barn built in 1875

An example of a double-cantilever barn, unique to East Tennessee 

Old Whaley Springhouse

We were thankful for the bridges over Porters Creek

The creek was really flowing

These interesting fungi almost look like golf balls

Fern Branch Falls 

A closer look at the falls before we head back down the trail

Mt. Cammerer Lookout Tower

Today, we set out for the Mt. Cammerer Lookout Tower, our first hike in the Smoky Mountains.  The trailhead is about 20 miles east of Gatlinburg.  Our hike began at Cosby Creek Campground, it was steep from the get-go through the dense forest.  Once we reached the Appalachian Trail the hike was much easier, though still gaining in elevation as we traversed a ridge.  We had nice views all the way to the summit of Mt. Cammerer.  We were surprised by the number of hikers we met up at the top, it was fun visiting with them; hikers are interesting!     

We are headed to a Lookout Tower on Mt. Cammerer via the Appalachian Trail

First things first, rock hopping across Cosby Creek
(We would soon learn that there was a bridge upstream!)

The first 2.9 miles was a steep climb, gaining over 2000 ft.

It felt good to arrive at Low Gap
This is the Tennessee-North Carolina border 

 We are now hiking on the Appalachian Trail or AT, as the locals call it . . whoohoo!

Some of the trees were changing along the trail

Almost there . . . !

Mt. Cammerer Lookout Tower built in 1937 by the CCC

We made it!
Almost 6 miles one way with an elevation gain of 3045 ft.

Nice views and a beautiful day makes for a perfect hike

Several other hikers joined us at the top

We were amazed at the ages of the hikers we met ranging from the 20's to 80's

So pretty and interesting

Neat fungi

The many colors of Fall

It almost doesn't look real, but it is!

After about 12 miles we took the easy way across the creek using the bridge!

The next day we had a great view of Mt. Cammerer from the Foothills Parkway

We really enjoyed our time in the Great Smoky Mountains . . . we hope to return one day!