| April 13, 2005 |
| |
| Stecoah Gap South t o
N.O.C. |
 Temperature at Stecoah Gap
was 60 degrees, rain in forecast. Started at 10:00 a.m. from
Stecoah Gap to hike south to N.O.C., so I could slack pack and not
carry all my equipment. Lower down the mountain was open woods
that permitted excellent views of the country side, mountains
including the Smokies and the Stecoah Valley below. At one
point I could see Fontana Dam my next stop. Started raining
about half way up to Cheoah Bald. Simon and I ducked under a
rhododendron bush to grab a snack. (Simon had sausage sandwich saved
from breakfast) and to keep out of the down pour. Temperature
was about 45 degrees. I noticed to this point that most of the
terrain was easy hiking, some huge rocks, and good leaf coverage on
the trail. Not much rhododendrons in the woods as before.
The flowers were blooming making the day feel Springy. |
| Now the rain had let up and
we headed for the high country - Cheoah Bald 5,062'. Began to
notice more laurels, rhododendron tunnels and was now "socked in
with fog--no views". Rock strata was both vertical and
horizontal. Instead of rhododendron tunnels, I was now going
through spooky, creepy covered laurel tunnels. Reminded me of
Halloween night. I expected to see a ghost jump out and scare
me. |
| I met North bounders who I
knew. They asked me if I had seen the hail. I knew the
temperature was dropping, but I was just in the drizzly rain and
thunder. No time to waste. I did not want to be 5, 000
feet up in lightening and thunder. Si and I kept moving.
The rain had made the trail slick which made for slow moving. |
To my delight, when I reached the Bald
the haze had lifted, the rain had quit. (not for
long) I had gorgeous views of the mountains and country side.
The Bald is almost void of trees, just small bushed and grasses.
Si and I rested and soon left for the downhill to Sassafras Gap
Shelter. On the Northwest side of the mountain I finally saw
hail on the ground.
Mayflower, Tortugas, and several other had holed up in
the shelter for the night. It's funny to watch Simon when he
is close to the shelters. He hears voices and starts running
to them. He knows it's time to drop his pace and play or rest
for a while. We stopped long enough to use the facilities and
get water at the spring. We still had nearly 7 miles to hike
back to N.O.C. It took me 4 1/2 hours to hike back to N.O.C.
Huge rocks slowed me down. I arrived t 8:45 p.m. Just hiking
about 15 to 20 minutes in the dark using my Petzel headlight. |
|
Swing'n Jane and
Simon the Wonder Dog |
|
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