Date: 2021-05-10
From: Birch Springs Campsite 

To: Derrick Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

May 10 - Birch Springs Tent-site to Derrick Knob Shelter - 17.5 miles (80.5 trip miles) - 43211 stepsBoth of my camp predictions yesterday came true. The heavy rains did indeed come. It rained hard for at least two hours. And, my tent was not in a good spot. It was a built up tent pad but had a low spot that allowed the water coming off the hill to flow under my tent. Once set up and pouring there was not much I could do about it. The new tent (ZPacks Duplex) did very well and I stayed dry all night except for a light spray coming in. Under the tent and my ground sheet were a muddy mess. I scraped off what I could but probably ended up carrying an extra pound of dirt, mud and water today. I was up early today. The camp area had a lot of tents and I was certain the next shelter was probably going to be full. All those hikers may want to get to the same place I did. That meant I may have trouble getting a tent spot. Also, it was over 17 miles so an early start was needed. I was packed up and hiking by 720. The weather was foggy and wet but only a few light showers. I had 2 packs of Pop Tarts in my pocket for breakfast on the go. Right off the bat was a steep climb for almost 1000 feet. It then dropped back down where I was able to top off my water bottles. Then right back up again where I would snack at one of 3 shelters I would pass today. I think the shelters in the Smokies are closer than usual on the AT because you have to stay at them. Elsewhere on the AT you can setup your camp anywhere. This shelter/snack routine happened 2 more times today. After the third shelter, I climbed the famous Rocky Top. Nothing against Tennessee or people from Tennessee, but Rocky Top is a nothing summit. Maybe if it was clear it would have good views, but it just doesn¢t justify a college fight song. I doubt many Tennesseans have even been there. Next up was Thunderhead Mountain. Sounds big and tough. Worse than Rocky Top since it is overgrown so you would never have a view. The last part of the day was a series of steep up and downs. It was the end of the day and I was tired. I made it to the shelter at about 530. First I needed to get my ground sheet out and tent set up to dry. It turns out the shelter is not that crowded. I could have stayed in the shelter but after my experience a few nights ago, tenting it is. Maybe when the weather is bad I¢ll opt for the shelter. One thing I noticed today. All of the trail in the Smokies up to Rocky Top has water diverters in the trail often. These force the water as if runs downhill to leave the trail and cause less erosion to the trail. After Rocky Top there were hardly any diverters and the trail was grossly eroded, rocky and rutted. Maybe it has to do with the trail maintenance group responsible for those sections are 2 rather than 1. It don¢t know, just an observation. Tomorrow I plan to go a short 13 miles to Mt. Collins Shelter or 18 miles to Newfound Gap. The gap is the road the bisects the park and leads to Gatlinburg. I have no desire or need to go there. 13 miles may be too short but the shelter after that is at 21 miles. I will also go over Clingman¢s Dome tomorrow, the highest point on the AT. Until tomorrow.