Here is Evan looking ready to go. This is at the Waleski-Y center located at the Neels Gap trailhead, the center is a well known outfitter along the AT. I obtained some fresh water and we began our scheduled 38 mile hike. Stopping early we got some more water at a small spring and chatted with a few thru hikers at the spring. Continuing on our way the sun began to set we passed a few nice campsites and finally found an ideal campsite. Dark was coming on strong so we quickly set up camp cooked some food and got ready to call it a night.
Here is a shot of the sunset that ended our first short hike. We had gone close to 4 1/2 miles and stopped near our planned stopping point. Quickly falling asleep. We awoke early enough to be greeted by a most wonderful sunrise, there was a chill in air which made the sunrise all the more wonderful.
Looking to the east and out over the valley this was the start to our real first full day on the trail.
The sun is up and here is a picture of the small camping area we occupied last night. Baggs Creek Gap. After some oatmeal and coffee we packed our gear and set out on the trail. A few hikers had already beat us to the start of the day and we followed suite. After a short walk we stopped at a spring and replenished our water supply. A few of the earlier hikers had gathered here to eat some breakfast and get a supply of water. Crossing Cowrock mountain we headed down into Hogpen Gap.
Crossing Hogpen Gap we climbed up Poor Mountain and took a short break where I got this great picture of Evan enjoying the early day. Looking off in the distance we could see some smoke, sign of a small forest fire or a prescribed burn by the forest service.
We moved onward a through some areas with very interesting names like: Sheep Rock Top, Poplar Stamp Gap and Cold Springs Gap.
Here I am looking like the intrepid explorer at what we called ski slope rock a quick forty foot drop followed by a steep decent of probably a half mile or so to the bottom of the valley.
Here's Evan on the ski slope rock.
We passed Chattahoochee Gap.
The very beginning of the Chattahoochee River. It is no more than a small spring and creek in the distance behind the sign. Travelling onward we approached Blue Mountain (4025 ft) the first of four peaks of over 4000 feet. Crossing the mountain we dropped down into Unicoi Gap.
Semi mumbling of a hot spot possible blister on my foot we stopped and I took off my shoe but nothing to be noted we carried on. Obligated to meet up with Courtney and Evans mom the next day. Having carried trash most of the day we asked a young couple if they would dispose of said trash and they gladly obliged. Headed up hill we crossed Rocky Mountain (4017 ft) the second of the 4000 ft peaks.
Dropping down into Indian Grave Gap the exhaustion was beginning to come on strong. Chatting with some campers we heard that rain and possible storms where due in the area at 2 am. We also discovered that our daily goal of stopping at the Cheese Factory Site was just a mile away. Pulling myself together I trudged onward following behind Evan. We arrived just as darkness was falling. I was so tired that I did not feel like eating and set up camp and fell asleep. About 1 am strong winds rattled the camp and thinking storms were not far behind I readied for a light show and rain. Breaking camp before the dark lifted Evan snapped a picture of me rolling up my sleeping pad.
After eating some breakfast and coffee we started our second day. Not far in front of us was the tallest of the four peaks, Tray Mountain (4430 ft).
After crossing the summit we entered an area of the green tunnel and snapped a quick picture of Evan. As we moved onward the going got tougher and quite rocky. At times it was very rough going.
Here you can see me coming off the mountain and down through a particular rough area of rocks. A wrong step would have been a disaster and constant attention was demanded. Passing Tray Mtn. shelter we dropped down into the Swag of the Blue Ridge and headed to Sassafrass Gap. Here we got some water and a little needed rest. Here is an interesting tree Evan photographed.
The base was hollow but the tree was alive and quite large. Pressing onward we climbed the last of the 4000 ft peaks, Kelly Knob (4276 ft). On the downward slope we met up with Courtney and Olline. Moving onward we approached Deep Gap Shelter and shortly thereafter McClure Gap. Powell Mountain was in front of us and the end was almost in sight. Just after crossing the summit I made a hello statement to a young man out on a day hike. He said that a young couple up ahead said that we, Olline and myself should get it in gear and hurry up. Oh, yeah I thought. We caught up up with the above listed "young couple" and let them know that we had heard about their antics. We all had a good laugh and carried onward, Evan snapped a selfie group picture as we readied to drop into Moreland Gap.
Evan, Courtney, myself and Olline bringing up the back. Moreland Gap was passed and we soon was in sight of Dicks Creek Gap. Courtney's truck was a welcome sight. Relieved myself of the backpack we prepared for the ride to my truck at Neels Gap. Stopping at a burger joint, Yonah Burger, I devoured a cheese burger fries and sweet tea, make that two sweet teas. The drive to my truck was uneventful and we parted our ways.
No comments:
Post a Comment