About The Hiker
My first hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park...
...was in late March of 1962. I was a freshman at Purdue University in the school of Forestry, and a member of the Purdue Outing Club. We came here to hike the Appalachian Trail from Low Gap to Newfound Gap. Our hike began in Cosby Campground on the jeep access road (Low Gap Trail) to the Mt. Cammerer Lookout Tower (which was still in operation). We joined the A.T. at Low Gap and then on to the Cosby Knob Shelter. I had never experienced anything like this in the state parks of Indiana. The hike far exceeded anything I had imagined, both in terms of effort and incredible beauty. When we reached Newfound Gap, I was overwhelmed; the mountains, the trees, the wildlife, everything that I had experienced. God willing, this place; these mountains, were in my future.
My Objective…
…is simply to share my love of these mountains and trails with you. When I started, I was in my 20’s. Today, I am in my 80’s. God has given me the desire, and the ability to continue to hike His mountains. Many of my hike descriptions have been recovered from my hiking journals. Several, which I hope to post, are trails no longer maintained by the park. A few will be backcountry off-trail hikes. Many trail maps are also recreations; there were no cell phone apps or GPS devices in my early days hiking here. I carried a compass and Topo maps. A camara did not become part of my equipment until the mid-seventies.
Should you be inclined…
…you can reach me by email:
Thank you