May 14th 1988, my expecting wife and my mother dropped me off at Hot Springs NC. Our baby was due in a couple of months and I needed to get out and clear my head. Four years to the day I had started a hike from Roan Mt. TN to Springer Mt. Georgia. I wanted to rehike this section for two reasons. One, it was a very scenic section, and the other was I was meeting a group from The Wilderness Center the next Friday night at the Yellow Mt Barn. I was helping teach a beginner backpacking course and they were driving up from Greensboro. We were to camp at the barn and hike to Roan Mt. on the AT. So I had to make good time hiking the 110 miles in order to meet them in 7 days.
If It Weren't For Bad Luck
I left Hot Springs NC around lunch time and made it to Lover's Leap Rock. While resting I realized I had left my wallet, maps and guidebook in the car. I felt sick about that. There were no cell phones then so I was so glad I had packed 7 days of food, althought I had wanted to resupply and eat out in Erwin TN. I could get by without the trail guide as I knew the trail from the previous trip.
Hot Springs NC from Lover's Leap
Spring was in full bloom. I saw Mountain Lauel, Wild Azalea, Pink Lady Slipper and Jack in the Pulpit. I hiked past Rich Mt. Fire Tower and made it 10 miles to Spring Mt. Shelter.
Spring Mt. Shelter
Mama Bear
On Sunday, I left the shelter around 7:30 and headed toward Allen Gap. On the way I heard a noise in the rhododendron thicket and out came a mama bear and her cub. Well, I turned and ran down the trail as fast as I possible could. I heard the bear gaining on me but she must of been more scared of me because she passed me 30 yards to my right and ran into the bushes. I was so glad she wasn't coming after me!
After all that excitement I crossed NC 208 at Allen Gap and took a much needed rest at Little Lauel Shelter. I had great views on the top of Whiterock Cliff. I made camp after 14 miles at Jerry's Cabin Shelter.
On Monday, I hiked 14 miles past Devil Fork Gap to Hogback Shelter. In the afternoon and into the night it poured down rain. I was glad to be dry in a shelter.
Tuesday, I made it to Sam's gap, passing grave stones and a cemetery. Expecting big view I climbed Big Bald, but it was cloudy, cool and windy. After 9 miles I decided to stay at Bald Mt. Shelter for the night due to the rain.
Wednesday, I hiked to the outfitters located on the Nolichucky River. There another hiker gave me a dollar for a hot shower and it felt great. I ate supper there and called my wife from a pay phone (collect) to check on her. I hiked past Curley Maple Gap Shelter and made camp after a 20 mile day.
Thursday, I was up early and hiking by 6:50am, but I didn't feel great. I started getting a headache and was very tired, so I stopped before climbing Unaka Mountain ate lunch and took a nap in the sunshine. I climbed up and over Unaka and down to Cherry Gap Shelter. Rested there a while then hiked a few more miles and camped in a stealth camp after a 16 mile day.
Friday, I climbed up to Little Rock Knob then over to Hughes Gap. Then I made the long 4.5 miled and 2200 foot climb up to Roan Mt. I decided to take the road down from the top as it has more views. I crossed Carver's Gap and made it over the 3 balds (Round, Jane and Grassy) and down to Yellow Mt. Shelter. I stopped at the spring and ate supper and took a bath before my group arrived later at 10pm.
Emergency Room Visit
The next day our group was to hike the trail to Roan Mt. As everyone was getting packed one student jumped out of the loft of the barn and caught his ring on a nail cutting his finger to the bone. We decided that he needed stitches, so the other instructors would continue leading the trip while another instructor and I took him to the Banner Elk Hospital. At the hospital, I called my wife and the first thing I told her was "I was at the hospital". She freaked out until I told her I was not ther person who was hurt.
Trip Photos