"Beans, here."
And this is today's (virtual) hiking goal.
We stopped yesterday a bit shy of half-way through North Carolina because...who knew (even virtually) how long a hike really was to Fontana Dam?
Checked out Evan's (E-Wolf) hike-thru last night...and got to meet some other amazing thru-hikers. Headstand, Luke, Yelp, Bob Gnarley, Gus, and Happy Feet.
You can, too...
E-Wolf's Hike-Thru
https://youtu.be/lgdvgndSHFE
Evan has a bit different approach to his hike-thru, as he utilizes off trail motels and the hot shower these provide...as well as restaurant food...a lot. No judgement here. Just a more comfortable approach.
As with Dixie's hike-thru, his vlog of his trek accentuates just how much RAIN one actually encounters through most of the mountains.
Today we begin the day with a packet of oatmeal...with some cinnamon and chopped dried apples mixed in. Clean our pot and note that today there is no rain and the sun is shining brightly.
(...it seems our Real Weather here has imitated AT weather...as it has literally been monsoon rains off and on all week...it is nice to see the sun again...)
I had to put together my own oatmeal (ziplock baggie) oatmeal packets as I detest instant oats and prefer old fashion. I add cinnamon and sugar to the dry ingredients. When I restock want to add raisins and pecans to these as well.
It takes a bit longer for breakfast...but doesn't taste like wallpaper paste...so there is that.
A new exciting finding for me is the distance calculator for both shelters and landmarks on the AT.
https://www.atdist.com/atdist
Very helpful.
Long Branch Shelter (where we stopped) and Fontana Dam (our destination for tonight) is 64.5 miles. A lot of it up and down mountains...so we had best get started.
(...this distance would normally take at least 3 days hard hiking...but hey...this is virtual...)
Our first spot on the map Glassmine Gap.
This part of the AT has been called The Trail of Enchantment. There are many rocky creekbeds, running waters and waterfalls.
From tiny riffs...to Glassmine Falls
Glassmine Falls: See and hear it yourselves...
https://youtu.be/S-ZfWYxe7OI
Glassmine Gap was named for an old Mica Mine near the base of the Falls. During the time the miners referred to mica as glass.
Mica
7 miles later we reach Rock Gap
The Rock Gap Shelter
and The Wasilik Poplar
The base is 26 feet in circumference.
The incredible trees on the AT are a pleasant surprise and I may end up painting a series of them. I LOVE interesting trees.
The enormous Poplar is the second largest Poplar in the Nation.
While traveling through Connecticut one year, my late husband observed wryly that
"If you spit on the ground here...some fool arrives with a sign and gives it a name...calling it "so and so" pond."
It's True.
Seems it is much the same with North Carolina and her "Gaps".
We won't be exploring all of them on our hike-thru or we will NEVER reach Fontana Dam and the Tennessee Line.
We will explore some- and if you want to find out more about the other...I will be naming them as we hike along.
So we will pass through Wallace Gap, Winding Stair Gap, Swing Lick Gap and Panther Gap...until we reach Silar Bald Shelter.
At this point we have hiked 12 miles and up and down several mountains. The AT is like the children's story of the little bear who climbed the mountain
"And what do you think he saw?"
That's right...ANOTHER MOUNTAIN!
And so it is onward we go...through Wayah Gap, Across USFS 69, Wine Spring and Wayah Bald to Licklog Gap.
Wayah Bald Lookout
Arriving at Licklog is like a tiny oasis in the midst of The Trail.
A chance to breathe, take the load off and resupply.
But mostly breathe.
The view of Licklog Ridge.
Licklog Creek and Falls.
Licklog Shelter.
After a rest, resupply and snack we move on...
Past Burnington Gap, Cold Spring Shelter, Copper Ridge, Rocky Bald, Tellico Gap until we reach Wesser Bald and the Observation Tower.
Wesser Bald
(view from tower)
Looking over Tellico Gap.
Complete 360 View from the Wesser Bald Observation Tower
https://youtu.be/TVIBd5x0QFs
The Wesser Creek Trail
and Wesser Bald Shelter
then resume our hike...
Past the Natahala River
Past Wright Gap, Grassy Gap, and Swim Bald to the
Sassafras Shelter at Sassafras Gap
Over Cheoah Bald (Mountain), Locust Cove Gap, Simp Gap, Stecoah Gap, and Sweetwater Gap...until we reach Brown Fork Gap and Shelter.
Relocation of part of the Brown Fork AT back in 2017 after a washout.
(...an aside..having actually hiked in the red clay these guys are digging through...all I can think is how very slippery this would be when it is wet...)
Brown Fork Shelter
https://youtu.be/PfD_KZxIDRA
And this gives me serious hope...only 12 more miles to Fontana Dam!
We CAN do this...
Across Hogback Gap, Cody Gap, and Yellowcreek Gap...to Cable Gap.
Hogsback Gap
Cable Gap Shelter
and following Pee-Wee from Cable Shelter to Fontana Dam (5.5 miles)
https://youtu.be/lhsaM-bt5_8
Black Gum Gap, Walker Gap, Yellow Creek Trail, and we can see Fontana Dam through the trees...
And the sights and sounds
https://youtu.be/GDmcE5Mgk6g
and Fontana Dam Shelter
(aka The Fontana Hilton)
https://youtu.be/nUDvJtTxsrE
Going to take a couple of Zero Days over the weekend, and we will cross over into Tennessee and The Great Smokey Mountains on Monday!
Hope you are enjoying this Virtual Adventure.
love,
Beans
