Deep Creek Loop Trail (attempt) AND TUBING DEEP CREEK! - June 19, 2024

June 19, 2024
Just arrived at this Great Smoky Mountain campground yesterday, thanks to help from Frenchy and Suz! (Whole other story!)
Today was my first full day, and I made the best of it!
All shot on my iPhone. Here’s the story of my first MORNING ever (I tubed Deep Creek in the afternoon) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
Story Time!
First day EVER in Great Smoky Mountains NP! First day seeing a bear in GSMNP! First day hiking ever seeing a bear! He didn’t bother me, but he did prevent me from completing the loop.
I saw him 20 feet up trail playing with a stick, but his back was to me, so I yelled “HEY! ARE YOU A HUMAN?!?” And he turned and looked at me like “NO, I AINT NO HOOMAN B**TCH!” And proceed to drop the stick and walk away.
I waited for like a minute to let him get off trail, while yelling and ringing my bear bell, and then proceeded to try and continue on the trail loop. Once I reached basically the point where I saw him, I saw the trail took a turn, so I couldn’t see ahead. But I could hear him! So I yelled a few times but he clearly didn’t want to get off trail.
I decided to turn back around rather than turn the corner and scare us both! You can see on the map where I stopped short up top, and backtracked on the trail.
First time ever legitimately taking out my bear spray! Lol.
Anyways, other than not completing my loop, this hike was AMAZING! Super beautiful and lots of water! Will try and make a video.
I started a video in case anything happened, at the point where I reached where the bear was standing, you can see me pull out my bear spray and you can kinda hear the bear making his noises up ahead too.
It’s gonna be a fun summer!
~Til’ next time, TOODLES!