We spent a fine day in Robbinsville, N.C. with "St. Pete Sue" who is a former AT hiker, got re-supplied, well fed and rested before starting through the Smokey Mts. The Smokeys were wonderful with mostly sunny skies although some chilly night temps. You are required to stay at shelters through the park and can only pitch a tent if the shelter is full which often happens and pitching is generally preferable. The trail throughout was generally good with some short stretches of rocks and roots. This is a great time of year to be hiking. The trees are bare so the views are plentiful, but as you lose elevation, spring is happening in all its splendor. We walk through tunnels of rhododendron and by hillsides covered with multi-colored trillium, violets, trout lilies, spring beauty, and bluets. Also climbed up into the conifers for a pleasant change for awhile.

Highlights in the past week have included Clingman's Dome in the Smokeys, Max Patch - a bald yesterday with a 360 view, and a stay at the Standing Bear Hostel while a light rain passed through at night. Another state line has been crossed and we criss-cross the N.C. and TN border for more miles to come. We are now taking a "nero" day (near zero miles) in Hot Springs, TN. We camped about 4 miles out for town last night and walked in for breakfast.

The best now is just to post several pictures to show you a little of what we've seen.

                                              Shuckstack fire tower on day 1 out of Fontana Dam

                                                   
                                                  Typical shelter - this on at a lunch stop.

                                      Clingman's Dome - highest spot in GSNP on the AT - 6655'

                                              flower pot hiking boots at Standing Bear hostel

                                              one of several trillium varieties on the trail

second AT signs seen on entering Hot Springs

So many more pictures, but so little time! Last but not least, I have a trail name. Family will recognize it right away. I'm Calamity. Not only does it fit my real name but it fits a few small calamities I've had so far and I wanted to avoid someone tagging me with tripper, clutz or face plant! So, Silver and Calamity are now looking forward to a nice relaxing day in a small town with a history that needs exploring!

Hello from Fontana Dam, N.C.!
We are in Robbinsville, NC tonight staying with a friend of Tom's and enjoying a sunny day after on very windy, rainy day yesterday. Will start out again tomorrow across the Smokey Mountains.

Here's a map of the trail through the Smokeys.








Before a short rundown of the past few days, let me relate a few other trail experiences. One thing you do a bit of on a long hike is hitchhike. There are so many hikers that hitching is common and locals are most happy to offer rides. One came from a father and his 2 sons who had just finished a Venture Scout prep hike for Yosemite this summer. Another couple gave us a ride out of Helen, a very touristy Georgia Bavarian town (go figure!) going several miles out of their way just because they enjoy giving hikers rides. And then there was the good 'ol boy who picked us up and warned us of the puma in the woods but said he was packin' and knew we were too so he wouldn't worry!

Many hikers have trail names. We've met Jury Duty (got the call for the day he was to start his hike), Analog, Clinker, Why Not, Highlander and Johnny Walker. Tom's name is Silver and I am still looking for one. Hikers also have a variety of footware from sneakers to boots and we've seen one young buck hikeing the trail in bare feet!

Back to a short run down of the last days. The first highlight was crossing the GA /N.C. state line. Small sign, momentus occasion for me! 

The night after leaving Hiawassee was spent at a lovely spot by a creek. From there we took a bypass called the Kimsey Trail which cut off 15 miles (and one day) and was one of the most beautiful places so far. It followed the creek through lush vegetation for 5 miles. There was a ground cover much of the way of tiny white/pink flowers and we began seeing trillium come up. This came out at Standing Mountain campground and then a 1/2 mile road walk put us back on the AT.

                                            

                                                     often photographed tree at Bly Gap

                                                               creek walk on Kimsey Trail

                                            
                                                           Nantahala Outdoor Center

                                                        Fontana Dam

Another good memory will be our stop at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Right by the Nantahala River, kayakers practice for the Olympics here and we enjoyed watching them in the white water doing rolls and flips. This was also a place for a shower and a delicious dinner before hiking on a few miles uphill where we made camp.

Trail magic of bananas...other good things but they are now closing the library...

Friday, April 12

Waiting one day to start the trail was a very good decision. The storm came during the night and we heard from several hikers of a sleepless night with all the lightening, wind and rain. By Friday morning it was over and we were picked up at 7am by Ron the shuttle man who took us first to Amicolola Falls State Park (where he works) to pick up another hiker. He gave us the 5 minute tour of the park so we did see the falls, the highest falls west of the Mississippi. Then it was on to Springer Mt.


It's 0.8 mile south from the parking lot to the actual beginning of the trail where there is one of three AT placques and the sign in register. Still a bit foggy but soon the sun shone through and the rest of the day was perfect for starting a trail. There are a variety of wildflowers starting to bloom including yellow, purple and white violets, May apples and other yet unidentified ones. Where are my botany friends when I need them?!

Lunch at Hawk Mt. shelter produced our first trail magic, a large package of tuna some hiker had likely left to save weight, which we enjoyed on our crackers. Trail magic is usually left by locals who like to treat hikers to a surprise - sometimes they are there to give it and other times you just find it.

April 13 - 15

Friday night and Saturday morning were extremely windy but again sunny and good hiking. Blood Mountain was the high point today and the highest point on the AT in Georgia at 4461'. At the top is a shelter built by the CCC and we were lucky to have a beautifully clear vista. It is named for a Creek/Cherokee battle which happened at appropriately named Slaughter Gap.

Neel Gap is a hostel and resupply store right on the trail where everyone stops at least briefly. This was CCC built in 1937 and is at the bottom of Blood Mt.

This night's camp came with great trail magic. A small cooler was hanging up in a tree, like you'd tie up food for bear, and when it we lowered it, it was full of Snickers and Little Debbie snacks!

Sunday was a day of changing weather. We hiked into a nice sunrise at 7am but by late afternoon it was foggy and raining lightly. The trail was good and easy hiking most the day so we made 20 miles much to my surprise and pulled into Tray Mountain Shelter shortly after 5pm. Packed up wet tent, etc and got our early Monday into Hiawassee and into a lovely sunny day. 

I am thoroughly enjoying this hike so far...and really looking forward to dinner in town tonight!

Today was to be the start of the hike but due to a forecast that called for 80% chance of rain and "severe thunderstorms" we decided yesterday to wait it out in Gainsville. That worked well for the shuttle driver and the other hiker sharing our ride to the trailhead too. So, naturally, today began with sun and scattered clouds which are continuing to build and the rain is not to start until tonight.

Taking advantage of the free time we explored a bit of Gainsville beginning with the cemetery just across the road from our motel. Graves there go back to the Revolutionary War (although we couldn't find that section) and many from the Civil War marked with a Confederate flag. The prime attraction is the gravesite of General James Longstreet.

We next found our way to a square with the courthouse, some shops and the library, then back to the motel wishing it would rain so justify this zero day before we've even begun! Tomorrow will definitely be the start and now the forecast says the days will only get better after a quick storm rolls through tonight.

The next post may be several days from now. For those who wish to respond to future posts, remember there is a spot at the bottom to leave a comment.