GREGORY BALD

July '09

Kellee, John, Lewis, Delaney

Elevation: 4949 ft. asl

Coordinates: 35.52.05 / 83.86.63

Features: Flame azaleas in June, wild blueberries in August, and majestic summit with 360 degree view.

Temp: 50's at night and upper 60's during the day for the month of July.

Pretrip: This will be our first backpacking trip and we are trying to consider it a trial run, but enjoy it as well. We have been collecting our gear for about a year now and have been looking forward to this trip for a long time. Everytime we go camping we get a little aggrivated at the crowds and dream of the day we can go somewhere a little more remote. Well, now is the time! Our kids are old enough now and hopefully can appreciate what nature is really about. I want to see and stay on part of the earth that many never get a chance to experience. This year the bears are very active and even aggressive at times. The park has closed over fifteen trails due to a high level of bear activity. We will be hiking Gregory Bald during blueberry season in which will cause an attraction to the bear population. Speaking of bears, this is why Emilee is not going with us on this trip. She is terrified of a bear attack. So, we will all go and come back alive with all our limbs still attached and maybe she will become a little more brave. Also, Mimi is staying back to keep Emilee and because this particular hike will be too much for her knees. I hope that real soon we can all go on a shorter hike that will accomodate everyone!