Fork Ridge to Deep Creek to Pole Rd Creek to Noland Divide

Debbie G, carlene, candy, Sue L, Ray F, Lee. Used Bryson City outdoors Shuttle ($15/person based on 7 people, $2 per mile). They picked us up at Deep Creek pavilion and drive us to our cars on Clingmans Dome Rd. Hard hike at Noland Divide. Difficult water crossings. Fork Ridge was ok, mostly downhill or level. Intersection at Deep Creek had difficult water crossing, raging knee level. Rest of Deep Creek was level but lots of water crossings and blowdowns which slowed us down. Last water crossing on Deep Creek was most difficult. Had to stay to left and walked in creek on rocks that were steep, then in creek walked under tree blowdown on hands and knees in water. Booked it up Pole Rd Crk to catchup time. Hard because it was uphill, Ray led. Lots of creek crossings that were calve height, more than rock hoppers. Many blowdowns but finished that leg in record time (1 hr 10 min for 3.3 miles. Noland divide was beautiful, views, but all sun and warm. Noland Divide was up & down with last 2 miles down. Was hard hike. Would only do Noland Divide again and from Deep Creek campground in/out to see views in winter. Candy, Carlene and Leigh continued on Deep Creek and did not do Pole Crk Rd and Noland Divide.