Jenny’s last hike up Lester Prong

Posted by Peter Bennett, Jenny’s brother.

On Monday September 14 2015 Jenny Bennett made her last hike up Lester Prong.  This hike was led by Ed Fleming and Clayton Carver. A group of six hardy hikers made their way up Porter’s Creek to Lester Prong and bushwacked their way up to an elevation of 4400 feet. This was the spot picked by Jenny to spread Charlie Klabunde’s cremains, but she was unable to complete that hike last spring. Ed knew the spot and lead us to it. This time it was to spread Jenny’s cremains.

We were joined by Cindy McJunkin and her husband Scott for the hike up to the split with Porter’s creek and Lester Prong

Clayton at the split

We followed Lester Prong up. The first part was not too difficult.

Further up Lester Prong the creek was rocky and full of brush.

Tree trunks and roots blocked the way.

Climbing over the obstacles.

Ed found the spot where he had placed a newsletter from the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club in a water bottle. The newsletter was dated August 1984 and it describes a hike led by Charlie Klabunde up Lester Prong to the Jumpoff.  It was Jenny’s first hike in this area.

The group at the spot.

We spread Jenny’s cremains at the same place where Charlie’s were. We said our goodbyes to Jenny.

Clayton coming down the slippery rocks and crawling under tree trunks.

We stopped on the way out to check out a giant poplar tree that was hollow inside. It was so big Jim could fit inside.

We will always remember Jenny. She has been an inspiration to many people.

I am planning another hike in the White Mountains to spread more of Jenny’s cremains.