What is this? I have seen this rock on the right side of the trail on upper Bote Mountain Road for years. When I first saw it I immediately thought of a corn meal grinder. Or maybe a mortar and pestle? Anyway, its been there for years and is intriguing.
My buddy Dwight McCarter and I hiked with Bob Lochbaum and Ken Wise on an unmapped trail near Collins Gap to find this relic. The trail comes to an abrupt halt and nearby is this steel tooth. We believe it was from a piece of road making equipment. The area where this trail is does make sense to build a road. A trail could have been planned this way and stopped. However this piece remains a mystery. Its about a foot long and is very heavy. I think it attaches to a backhoe or shovel machine and it came off or was discarded. In fact on modern road construction equipment these teeth are replaced rather than having to buy a whole new bucket or scoop.
When I was at Pi Beta Phi Elementary as a student I recall people talking about a wrecked train at the bottom of the Sinks, a wrecked train near Clingmans Dome, a rock house in Sugarlands, a cave lived in by Cherokees and caches of money left in Greenbrier. Myths or things of legends? I have investigated some of these and found some to be myths and some to be truth. I will be posting some of those finds. If you are looking for something in particular let me know. ----- Jeff
Hey this is Jeff Wadley. I love the Smokies! I also enjoy guiding others into the mountains hoping they can expereince God's wonders and want to know more about Him.
I grew up in Gatlinburg and have hiked all the trails in the Smokies, have almost finished paddling the Little Tennessee River from Fontana to Ft. Loudon and am working on hiking all the trails in Joyce Kilmer, Slickrock, Citico, Gee Creek and Bald River Wilderness Areas.
I am the author of "Mayday! Mayday! Aircraft Crashes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park". It is my desire for you to enjoy the Smokies and at least consider the wonders of God's creation.