Strange Names for a Hiking Trip(My
Trip to Inadu Knob)
Browsing my topo map while composing this trip report I couldn't resist
teasing my readers with some of the place names related to this hiking trip.
I'll make it easy for you by stating that the trip will begin at the northeastern tip of the Smokies: Big
Creek, NC. Now the fun begins......
Midnight Hole
Mouse Creek Falls
Brakeshoe Spring
Walnut Bottoms
Camel Gap
Camel Hump Knob
Inadu Knob
Snake Den Mountain
Inadu Creek
Rock Creek
Did you know.....
In the 1980's there was a black bear nicknamed "Ole Leaper" that frequented the Walnut Bottoms backcountry
campsite. Leaper was notoriously known to climb onto tree branches above hiker's packs and then leap onto the packs
in order to cause them to fall to the ground. A local area ranger once told me that they even had to regularly grease
the newly installed backpack hanging pole to prevent ole Leaper from climbing the slick metal pole in his quest for
backpacker vittles.
Camel Gap trail was probably misnamed? There were no families by the name of "Camel" in that area and
were probably never any animals of that species there either. Most likely it should have been named "Campbell" Gap instead.
Camel Gap trail was originally known as Yellow Creek trail.
Inadu is the Cherokee term for snake. And, yes, I did see and photograph a snake while hiking down
Snake Den Mountain.
OK, by now you've no doubt figured-out that my route was Big Creek trail - Camel Gap Trail - AT - Snake Den
Ridge Trail - Cosby Campground.
Date hiked: 5/20/2009
Distance: 18.5 miles
Photos--I've posted a captioned photo gallery from this hike. Included in
the images you'll find a trail map and an elevation profile diagram. Click here to open the photo gallery in a new window where you'll have more viewing options.
Those who have a high speed internet connection may prefer viewing the
photos in a full screen slideshow. If so, click here for the slideshow option (opens in a new window).
Or perhaps you'll be content just to watch the little mini-slideshow I've embedded below:
