Post Day 65 – 75 Log

Dan 65 – Allen Gap – Hot Springs Campground
15 Miles
60 – 75 degrees
Some sun, Misty and fog
8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Started out of Allen Gap after an overnight with Debbie in Erwin. After some miscommunication with our shuttle company, Uncle Johnnies. They tried to pick us up a day early. So we had to find another way back to Erwin. Luckily a hostel named Hemmed In Hallow came by and picked us up and for the bargain basement price of $60 we got a 35 mile shuttle ride back to Erwin. For an Additional $55.00, I got a return ride this morning from Uncle Jonnies. This hiking business is sometimes pretty expensive! But luckily I don’t need rides of that length and have attempted to hitch hike on a couple of occasions, unsuccessfully! I must look like an Axe murderer disguised as a thru-hiker huh? On with today’s hike, 3 pretty steep climbs out of Allan Gap and a fourth in the afternoon! But all were manageable. Here I am in Hot Springs in a cabin by the French Broad River. Supposed to rain for the next few days.

Day 66 – Hot Springs – Walnut Mountain Shelter
13.5 Miles
50 – 60 degrees
Rain / Fog
2 Big Climbs
9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Got a slow start from camp and met up with a couple head in for breakfast, so I jointed them and hit the trail late. Had two big climbs and got to camp in the rain. Most of the day has been dreary and cool. Hope tomorrow is clear for Max Patch – A big bald.

Day 67 Walnut Mountain Shelter – Snowbird Mountain Camp
15 Miles
Max Patch Bald Beautiful!
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
After a day and night of rain I got up at 7 and moseyed at 9. Pretty easy hike with a trip up Max Patch Bald and a 360 View! Yippee! One final mile long hill and I’m camped looking at Mount Mitchell and the Smokey Park. Will Hike to Standing Bear Tomorrow for a 9 short day and get a bunk in the hostel. Do some laundry and shower.

Day 68 – Snow bird Mountain Campsite – Standing Bear Hostel
60 – 80 Degrees, Sun
5 mile down hill
Easy day to the hostel. My water filter broke at my last water stop. Luckily there is an outfitter not far from here willing to bring me a new one. Will arrive in the morning. Was planning a short day tomorrow anyway with a stop for lunch at a BBQ place by the Highway crossing. Should be a pleasant day although warming some today!

Day 69 – Zero at Standing Bear
The water filter showed up at 3 p.m. and I was on my way to the smoke house BBQ so I called it a day and stayed one more night at the hostel.

Day 70 – Standing Bear Hostel – Crosby Shelter
11 Miles
65 – 85 Degrees, Sun
1 Big Climb
Was planning a shorter day due to the size of the first climb into the Smokies. The mountain proved to be pretty easy and graded 3 hour 5500 foot climb. So I’m in camp at 3 p.m. and relaxing. It’s been an easy day and tomorrow will be pretty easy too.

Day 71 – Cosby Shelter – Pecks Corner Shelter
13 Miles
60 – 75 degrees, sun / afternoon on Thunderstorms
3 hour climb
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Had a couple of nice long hills today not too steep but measured in hours long not miles. Pulled into the shelter Justin time to dodge an hour long down pour. There are ten of us here. So shelter will be pretty full. Cross the 800 mile mark tomorrow! Klingman’s Dome on Friday.

Day 72 – Picks Corner shelter – Mount Collins Shelter
14 Miles
60 – 75 degrees, sun/ rain/ sun /rain / sun / rain
Pretty views with classic Smoky Park Scenes. Mist rising over the mountains. Claries Bunion afforded some nice clear views. Attempting rains and then a big thunderstorm made sure I finished the day soaked and frozen 3.5 miles from the top of Klingman’s Dome. Only 4 others in the shelter. Have heard “Bear Tales’ from others that there is a bear hear abouts.

Day 73 – June 12 Mount Collins – Derrick NOB Shelter
14 Miles
50 – 75 Degrees, mostly cloudy
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Had a good storm overnight with lows into the 50’s. Woke at 6 and ate then hiked 4 miles to Clingmans dome to claim my prize 2 Busch Beers the girls and I stashed under a couple logs next to the trail. I drank them both at 10:30 a.m. and had a good talk with a couple from Iowa. He’d thru-hiked a year or so ago. Am here with at least 15 others, but am tenting and hope to get a good nights sleep.

Day 74 June 13 – Derrick NOB Shelter – Mollies Ridge
12 Miles
60 – 80 Degrees
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
3 Good Climbs
Had a great night sleep in the tent away from the shelter. Up at 7 and packed up. Shot the breeze with everyone. Had 3 pretty good climbs and a nice bald for some excellent views of Fontana Lake. Tomorrows destination, Fontana Village and a shower and bed. Ate my last dinner entrée so I’m timing this one right. Storm blow-in through, made the right choice to stop when I got here too. 10 Mile tomorrow to Fontana Dam.

Day 75 – June 14 – Mollies Ridge Shelter – Fontana Lake
15 Miles
60 – 85 Degrees Sun
BEAR!
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
I was on the trail early anticipating a quick 11 miles trip to Fontana, But! I got off the rail by accident and went an extra 4 miles. Two of which were straight uphill, the upside was at least 2 bear encounters. One I didn’t see, only heard and crashing of a very big animal in the brush. A second actual sitting when I rounded a corner on the trial when a pair of ears with a very young bear stood up and then dashed off up hill. I had a huge uphill 2 miles trudge to shuck stack fire tower to return to the tail. A 3 mile down hill ramble and I flagged down a shuttle driver for a $10.00 ride to the Fontana Village Lodge and a room, showered, laundry done, burger and fries, bear, Banana Split, camp food and prime rib. Tomorrow it’s back at it with 162 miles to go to Springer!

Day 76 – Fontana Dam – Brown Fork Gap
60 – 85 degrees sun
2 hour climb
Had a good day, although hot. Climbed for 2 hours out of Fontana, no one else on the trail. NOBO’s must be gone. Smokey par is behind me, NOC tomorrow. Have only 3 days of food, so I’m pretty sleek! Hauling up some steeps, no more switches? Just straight up? Hugh? Quiet tonight, no wind, although we had some sprinkles earlier tent is up in shelter to keep bugs off.