Thursday, April 19, 2012
Up and Over Wayah Bald (or the day X started to get her climbing legs)
We got a relatively late (for us) start as the 9 o’clock shuttle drove up into the clouds at Winding Stair Gap. The woods smelled fresh after all the rain, but- thankfully – the trail was much drier than we expected, and once again we couldn’t have asked for a better hiking day.
The fog gradually lifted as we climbed out of the Gap, and with differing paces and break schedules, we passed and were re-passed by the same handful of folks. The trail went up about 1,300 feet in 4 1/2 miles to Siler Bald. We then came back down 800′ where we found Forest Service picnic tables for an extended break.
The highlight of the day was the view from the 5,342′ Wayah Bald tower. You can drive to a parking lot just below the summit, but for the AT hiker, the foot route involves four miles of a steady uphill climb. At the end is a rarity for the Trail, a short section of handicapped accessible pavement. From the top of the stone tower we could see all the way to the Great Smoky Mountains, and peaks we hope to walk five days from now…
At the end of the day it was decision time as to how far to go. We felt great, and decided to position ourselves for an easy hike into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) tomorrow, pushing on to Cold Spring Shelter. The poor old shelter gets crowded after the third person, but we found a great campsite with congenial neighbors on the bluff overlooking the valley below (with 3 bar 3G, no less!).
When we went to bed, lights twinkled below, but as this is typed, we’re back in a cloud with moisture hitting the tent in a steady drip. Great night for sleeping…
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)
To: Cold Spring Shelter (NC)
Today's Miles: 15.8
Total Miles to Date: 125.6
[Our daily elevation profile comes from David "Awol" Miller's 2012 "The A.T. Guide," which we found to be invaluable. Get your updated copy at www.theATguide.com]
Of about a dozen folks on the 9:00 a.m. shuttle, only the Troverts took Ron up on his offer to drop us off on the south side of US 64, so we would not miss walking that 150 yards of the AT back across the highway right of way. Are there no purist hikers left these days???
N had asked Ron Haven about the rumor a hiker had been robbed on the trail about a month ago between Franklin and NOC. Ron, of course, downplayed such talk, but as we got off the shuttle at Winding Stair Gap, we thought the ever-helpful Mr. Haven had arranged us a military escort, just in case. No, just a nearby law enforcement training class out for an exercise. Oh, the things you’ll run into on the AT…
[Atlas (of the heavy pack fame {the epically heavy pack fame!}) took this photo.
Atlas began his hike with a pack in the hundred pound range. He had been talked into jettisoning several items at Mountain Crossings, then lost a few more after helpful discussions in Franklin. The pack still looked heavy when we ran into him.
To put things into perspective, Atlas had shed more weight from his backpack since Springer than X was now carrying. And he still had a way to go…]
From the tower we could see all the way from Albert Mountain to Clingmans Dome.
The Troverts 119.9 miles into their journey…
