Arrived at a windy and cold Springer Mountain parking area. I stepped out of the truck and immediately got back in and went through my pack for my long pants, thermal vest and my beanie. Did I say it was cold? 26 degrees F and a stiff wind out of the northwest. I started the hike up to the summit and was chilled to the bone. Here are a few pictures of the cold and snow.
The walk to the summit was slippery at best and almost dangerous at worst. The wind was cutting through my clothes but I was layered well and onward I trudged. At the top of the mountain the wind really picked up and I was thinking of returning to the truck and try this another day. A few shots from the summit showing the trail marker and the sunrise.
As you can see it was beautiful on top of the mountain for the sunrise. After a few minutes it was time to move on. Down the trail a few hundred yards and passing the entrance to the shelter the Benton-Mackaye begins in earnest.
A little further on the plaque dedicating the trail came into view.
After a half mile or so there was a sign to an overlook, taking my time on this hike and documenting the hike I stopped to take in the view.
As you can see it was tremendous. Spending enough time admiring the scenery I moved on. Shortly crossing the road up to the summit the trail began to get regular and presented nice views all around too many to count. I crossed three creeks and lucked out with no wet feet to speak of which would have been quite miserable to deal with if not ending the hike.
Finally crossing the Appalachian Trail for the first time I photographed the signpost.
Wandering onward the day brightened and my thoughts drifted to actually completing this hike.
After passing a large area of wild hog ruts I crossed the AT once again. Moving on I found a small cairn someone had started and placed a stone the dirty one on the left.
After some time the sound of a large rush of water was heard and the possibility of being near the three forks area grew in my mind. Here are the trail markers, white diamond indicates the Benton-Mackaye (BM) and the white rectangle indicates the Appalachian Trail (AT). The two markers indicate a joining of the two trails.
Just past the trail markers you are at the three forks area. There is a nice footbridge to cross the large creek here. Cross a forest service road and follow the markers up to Long Creek Falls.
One hundred and fifty steps and you are greeted with really nice view of the falls.
The falls could be heard for quite some distance and was worth the effort to see them. Here at the falls area the BM trail parts company with AT and heads to the Northwest. It was here that I ran into fellow hiker "slowlee" who was headed back to the main parking area after stopping at the Stover Creek Shelter. We parted company and I crossed two small snow covered bridges covered in snow and no hiker tracks indicating that I was headed into a remote area. The trail parallels a small creek and soon some small camping areas are passed. The trail took a decided uphill bent and I worked my way to a large "bald" area on top of one the few mountains that I would cross in the next few hours.
I received a good cell phone signal and sent out a message to Alison and a picture to Facebook (FB). Crossing the bald I continued the up and down hiking known throughout the area. I failed to get water at a small stream and soon regretted it. Getting thirsty I realized that snow lay on the ground all around me. Grabbing some I allowed it to melt enjoying the cold and wetness. Bryson Gap came into view and the sign indicated a spring was located just to the East.
As I checked out the spring I noted that the area had a really nice camping spot and my time to stop as planned was running short. Deciding to call it a day I began to set up camp.
Just then I heard a clump up at the gap and began looking in that general direction and noted some legs moving around through the trees. I walked up to the gap and introduced myself to Andrew and chatted for a few minutes. He had been following my footsteps all day. The Benton-Mackaye trail is remote and does not attract near as many hikers as it's large cousin the Appalachian Trail. I returned to my camp and began writing in my journal recording the events of the day before the memories faded and you can read the results here. I boiled some water and fixed a hot cocoa and readied to eat my supper. The night came on and I settled in to my sleeping bag for a nights sleep. The new day broke crisp and cold and I got myself ready for a return hike to my truck at Springer Mountain. The return hike was uneventful Andrew was continuing onward for another few days. Getting back to the waterfalls area I ran into many hikers on the AT doing their thru hikes and some who where just hiking. Upon return to my truck I bumped into slowlee once again and he told me of a young man that had to be medevac'd out from Springer Mountain. He was having some life issues and was totally unprepared for the weather at the top of the mountain. I later talked with a forest ranger who confirmed the story. My thoughts go out to the young man and hope that all is well. I hope you enjoy these posts as much as do the hikes and the recording of the hikes. See you next hike. John...
