Survey tape hanging on a low limb right in the middle of the manway. We had hiked about 200 yards past this point and figured we missed our turn. We headed back. This survey tape was not put up by us, but coincided with the waypoints I had for where to make our turn to start the climb to Green Camp Gap. Survey tape in the Smokies almost always means something. I don't flag stuff, but I have quit taking it down. The Smoky Mountain Hiking Club flags their hikes as they scout them for the upcoming year, but they take the marks down as they actually do the hike. So I don't remove flagging anymore.

Off-trailing it and bushwhacking up Sam's Creek Manway, up the mountain to Green Camp Gap, and down the other side to Lynn Prong. We hit the Middle Prong Trail and then crossed the river to hike the Mark's Creek Manway to the falls. There are many unmaintained trails or manways and old road beds in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This hike involved manways which were not that bad and some bushwhacking that was also not near as bad as some I've done.

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magicmomma > Metal foot bridge across Sams Creek near the beginning of the manway.
This manway begins at Tremont and continues all the way to the A.T. per Ken Wise's Guide to Hiking the Smokies. A more reliable, current source of info --GoSmokies! Thanks for the info that the manway remains open to the A.T. and the offer to guide the trip one day.

magicmomma > My good friend and hiking buddy, Dan Heimsoth. An accomplished photographer of nature and waterfalls and all around great guy. Here is a link to his awesome website and photos:
http://www.danheimsoth.com/

magicmomma > Sams Creek Manway is one of the easier, more obvious manways to follow.

magicmomma > Sams Creek Manway near a flat, open area that was a homesite in the past. It is a poplar flats.

magicmomma > Autumn leaves closeup. Colors this year are turning out splendidly despite our drought.
Last Fall the colors were very drab.

magicmomma > Sams Creek is usually a healthy stream most times of year. A tricky one for water crossings and almost sure to get your feet wet. Our drought has made a big impact.

magicmomma > Pool of swirling leaves on Sams Creek.

magicmomma > Survey tape hanging on a low limb right in the middle of the manway. We had hiked about 200 yards past this point and figured we missed our turn. We headed back. This survey tape was not put up by us, but coincided with the waypoints I had for where to make our turn to start the climb to Green Camp Gap. Survey tape in the Smokies almost always means something.
I don't flag stuff, but I have quit taking it down. The Smoky Mountain Hiking Club flags their hikes as they scout them for the upcoming year, but they take the marks down as they actually do the hike. So I don't remove flagging anymore.

Survey tape hanging on a low limb right in the middle of the manway. We had hiked about 200 yards past this point and figured we missed our turn. We headed back. This survey tape was not put up by us, but coincided with the waypoints I had for where to make our turn to start the climb to Green Camp Gap. Survey tape in the Smokies almost always means something.
I don't flag stuff, but I have quit taking it down. The Smoky Mountain Hiking Club flags their hikes as they scout them for the upcoming year, but they take the marks down as they actually do the hike. So I don't remove flagging anymore.