1 Billion (give or take 100 million) years after the rocks were formed.
600 Million years after the mountains were formed and re-formed.
14,000 years after the Cherokee began hunting these mountains.
175 years after the Cherokees were forcibly removed from the mountains.
95 years after these mountains were clear- cut and the virgin forest logged.
60 years after white settlers were removed (resettled) from these mountains...
600 Million years after the mountains were formed and re-formed.
14,000 years after the Cherokee began hunting these mountains.
175 years after the Cherokees were forcibly removed from the mountains.
95 years after these mountains were clear- cut and the virgin forest logged.
60 years after white settlers were removed (resettled) from these mountains...
We take a walk on what's left:
An old road bed built by settlers or narrow gauge railroad track built by loggers.
On this trail:
Next to this creek:
Even if you did not know the history of the area, you see signs of human habitation:
quite literally!
This cleared area was probably an old homesite:
And if you see non-native plants like these daffodils, you know sometime in the past there was a house nearby:
Occasionally structures have been left in the woods like this old mill located on Mingus Creek:
Sometimes you can see signs of animal habitation as well.
This:
was probably made by this:
And this (area of disturbed leaves and dirt):
was most likely made by this:
Because a month ago we saw bear tracks in the snow in the same spot.
Though the soil could have been disturbed by these:
or this:
Wild pigs, like the one pictured above, are a real nuisance. So the park puts out traps for them like this:
Baited with corn:
Because wild pigs, like the one pictured above, just can't get enough corn!
Every once in a while you get to see a real live animal and not just a computer photo. Here's a real live photo of a Mountain Lobster:
Delicious!
