Hemphill Bald – Hiking To Burn Energy

For some odd reason, Typhoon and Landon were allowed to go on a very special hike to the top of nearby Hemphill Bald. Since we have had several days of rainy weather, they both had lots of stored up energy for the hike – though we still aren’t sure why they were selected.

What a view!

What a view!

Hemphill Bald has a property line right along its 5,554 foot peak. Half of the mountain is inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The other half is owned by Cataloochee Ranch. We can walk right out our front door, through a gate onto the ranch property, and stroll to the top. A very peaceful walk – despite the 800 foot elevation change from our house.

Typhoon looking down at the Cataloochee Ranch buildings - though we are still sitting on ranch property.

Typhoon looking down at the Cataloochee Ranch buildings – though we are still sitting on ranch property.

The rains earlier in the week cut into our walking schedule. And our temperatures are not supposed to get above freezing for the next several days. But Wednesday was beautiful and warm – a perfect day for a strenuous hike.

Thanks, Hu-Dad!

Thanks, Hu-Dad!

You may be asking why just the two of us got to hike with Hu-Dad. The older members of The Herd – Kiska, Qannik, and Cheoah – aren’t quite as enthused with scrambling up trails, so they prefer flatter, shorter walks which we take around the house. Frankie would be fine on the hike, but he said the house would be nice and peaceful for some sunshine napping in the yard if we were gone. Harumph.

Not sure what Frankie meant by that.

Not sure what Frankie meant by that.

So with all of our excess energy from the rainy days, Hu-Dad thought the two of us would really enjoy getting out for a few hours of hiking. Besides, he said we might even nap a good bit when we got back home.

Uh, yeah, a nap sounds good right about now.

Uh, yeah, a nap sounds good right about now.

7 Comments

  1. Hazel and Koda on December 8, 2016 at 1:55 pm

    Ohh you two silly boys. You wouldn’t think Hu-dad would be up to anything with just taking you two alone on a long walk now would you. I think or should I said Koda thinks it’s cuz he thinks you’re extra special. Koda says mom says he’s extra special at times too and then shakes her head like “wow”. That usually occurs when I’m launching off a piece of furniture. Or trying to drag her down the street after a squirrel. Ty you know what i mean when you’re trying to get the squirrel and you have a human anchor on the other end of your coat. (That’s my leash).

    Just look at it as the other 4 need to build up to your abilities. That’s what I tell Hazel when she tries to do Sibe things when she’s a Coonhound. Can’t be done. Haha. Woof woof.
    Peace out Koda????

  2. Juno's mom on December 8, 2016 at 10:34 am

    They look pretty happy.

  3. Lori on December 8, 2016 at 7:20 am

    What a beautiful place to burn off some extra energy! Glad you kids had a good day!

    • carolyn on December 8, 2016 at 11:09 am

      I’m in that zone now – older girl says no thanks to long walks, younger dog (at 9.5) says let’s go go go. It is hard to get out of the house without Shelby but she can be trusted in the backyard so I leave her back there then sneak out. Does the rest of the Herd not get jealous when they see this kind of thing happen?

  4. Amy on December 8, 2016 at 7:02 am

    That’s a GREAT place to burn off dog energy! Haven’t been in a while, but when our Norwegian Elkhound was younger, we did a lot of energy-burn there, too……

  5. Mom 'n Ebby on December 8, 2016 at 3:17 am

    Mom sez: Now, me ‘n Ebby would like to know if this hike DID do any good, as far as wearing down the high energy of the two “teen-agers” of the Herd?

    • The Thundering Herd on December 8, 2016 at 7:13 am

      The house was quiet yesterday afternoon except for the soft snoring.

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