Cataloochee Divide to Purchase Knob, Smokies

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
11/23/2022	10.5 miles	5 hours 58 minutes	1,673'	2.2	919.2

Parking: 

• Cove Creek Gap. Parking for this hike is limited - maybe 5 spots on the edge of the road, just past the park entrance sign.

Maps:

• Gaia GPS (more useful than the National Geographic Smokies map)
• 100 Favorite Trails of the Carolinas and the Blue Ridge (for directions)

Directions:

• See 100 Favorite Trails map

Carolina Mountain Club Challenges:

• 100 Favorite Trails Challenge

We were joined today by Kay, Phyllis and Paul for a 100 Favorite Trails hike in the Smokies. Glen's ankle is still bothering him, but he decided he wanted to at least hike part of the trail. He ended up hiking 2 miles in and 2 miles back.

It was cold this morning. After reading about the missing hiker in the White Mountains for the past 2 days, I packed more extra layers than usual. I threw a sleeping bag liner into my pack. I even wore long underwear. And it ended up being 62 degrees. I had to stop early to take off layers and hike just in a short sleeve shirt. I found out this evening they found the body of the hiker.

This was a great hike! Worth doing again. We had hills, but much of the hike is along a ridgeline. This hike is on the very eastern edge of the Smokies. You can see the Smokies to the west, and other mountains to the east. There is a fence line along much of the park border. We passed by a stunning house, just beyond the fence line - the views they have - wow! But the drive there - doesn't look easy. We left the Cataloochee Trail to visit the Ferguson Cabin. Inside the cabin there was a sign that gave some of the history of the inhabitants. They lived with their 3 kids in a tiny space. We sat on the cabin porch for lunch. Next to the cabin, we found old apple trees. And piles and piles of apple filled bear scat, lol. From there we headed to the Appalachian Highlands Science and Learning Center. The view there is incredible. I'm thinking - how could I get a job there, so I could see that view every day????? They have spots for some high school interns. Can I be an intern?

A house just on the other side of the park boundary. I would love to sit on the porch!

A small shelter on private property

A street sign in the woods? I guess that's a road to the right.

Not our turnoff yet

Not our turnoff yet. 

We turned left here to visit the Ferguson cabin

View from the cabin porch

One of the apple trees next to the cabin. I didn't take photos of the bear scat :)

Ski slope in Cataloochee

Heading up to the science center

Turning around and looking at the view!!

The science center - with a great deck

Absolutely gorgeous view