Up in the clouds today.

Rain in the valleys today. Near camp creek bald and viking mtn north of hot springs.

Lover's Leap

Overlooking the hot springs spa and the French Broad River.

Hello from Max Patch!

Max Patch is a beautiful bald summit with miles of views in all directions on rare clear days like today. The view behind me is southwest back over Snowbird Mtn. Max is supposedly named after Maximillian, a prize horse who kept escaping his pasture to return to his favorite patch of grass up here on the summit. Warplanes used to land here on the summit. During WW I, German naval officers were interred in nearby Hot Springs, NC. That's where I'm headed now!

Yes, you see bears in the Smokies.

This guy (girl?)  has been hanging around the shelter all evening. First, it was smelling food from our dinner. Now, it is snacking on some of the plants about 25 yards away. Seems totally unphased by us. There are about a dozen people here. I've got better pics on the other camera but here is one from the droid for the blog. Sleep tight tonight!

Last night in the Smokies!

Back on the AT!

Thanks to Kirk for hosting a much needed 2 days of drying, healing, cleaning, and recuperating at his house in Cherokee, NC. Back to Newfound Gap and on north. Chill in air but the sun is shining!

It's all down from here!

Down yes, but not downhill unfortunately. Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6,643 feet. The last four dyas climbing up from Fontana Dam were challenging. Lots of climbs and descents, several hail and thunderstorms, way too many biting bugs, and sleeping in trail shelters. The view and the accomplishment of getting here are good. If the weather holds, I may try to push on to Newfound Gap tonight.

Evening @ Mollies Ridge Shelter in GSMP

Getting ready to hang pack up on bear cable for the night. Several fellow hikers saw the bear who's hanging in the area. If only it could eat all the bugs! Hopefully the cold tonight will help keep them at bay.

Fontana Dam looking down at the Little Tennessee River

Leaving the Nantahala Forest, I crossed Fontana Dam and got a backcountry permit to thruhike the Smokies. The visitor center at the Dam had some great info about the TVA and building the largest concrete dam in the east. Completed in 1945 after only three years, it helped Alcoa process aluminum for fighter planes and powered the development of the atomic bomb at Oak Ridge, TN. Amazing what you encounter on the AT!
Not on the same scale, but still an accomplishment, I enter the next major phase of the Trail. Hiking through GSMP will be five days of backcountry camping, major climbs and descents, and a big pack load. Oh, and bears. (I'm not worried about bears but there are several active near the shelters where I'm staying according to current park ranger notices.) I'm looking forward to the new challenges and praying for strength, grace, and sunshine.
On a technical note, the Droid will be on a limited operating schedule so I can keep it alive for five days until I get to Newfound Gap. It may look like I'm not moving, but in reality, I will be in the wilderness moving forward!
Thanks to everyone for all the help and support!

Happy Mother's Day from Cheoah Bald!

I'm taking a quick break for mother's day brunch before continuing. At 5062 feet, Cheoah is considered to be the best view in the southeastern mountains. On a sunny, clear day like today, it is easy to see why! Sorry, hard to capture the full scene on the droid camera.

Tellico Gap

Last day in Franklin, NC. Tomorrow into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) via a long descent down to the river. Tellico Gap led to the local party spot 100+ years ago. Notoriously filled with outlaws and all kinds of shenanigans going back hundreds of years according to local historians.
My shananigans will likely be a simple zero day at NOC soaking my sore feet and swollen joints in the cold Nantahala River.

Wayah Bald Observation Tower

Clear skies and views into the Smokies 30+ miles away. View of Cherokee and Franklin to my left. View back into GA in front of me. Moving on!

In the clouds on top of Albert Mtn

Fire tower on top has great view of Coweeta Hydrological Research Lab forest below, south to Springer, north to Smokies. Today, like most days, just white clouds...