Date: 2010-04-30
From: Copper Ridge Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Stunning sunrise from the warmth of my hammock. The Junco's were hopping about the ridge-top looking for a handout. Juncos were the only bird I saw brave enough to come in to the shelters and beg for food. They are interesting birds, they can nest in a burrow or make a hammock in the low lying branches. You gotta love a bird who makes a hammock like nest.Lazy start this morning, starting with slowly eating breakfast on a huge log over looking the vast view laid out before us of the Appalachia Mountains. We were slow to pack up and head out, this spot just seemed magical in it's natural beauty. The hawk came back for a short time and the grouse sounded like they couldn't get their motors to turn over. The sound was cracking us up, it really does sound like a motor that won't catch and fire up.A short walk through the rhododendron tunnels to Rocky Bald Lookout. I love walking in the cool of the morning. The side trail to the lookout is worth it. You climb a rock-face surrounded by small trees laced with Grandfather's Beard. Grandfather's Beard is a lichen much like Spanish Moss. The rock-face is warm from the sun and feels good after the cool of the rhododendron tunnels. Short break to admire the views, then back to the AT.We came down into Tellico Gap thinking we would hang our hammocks and have lunch and a siesta. Alas, it was not to be. Tellico Gap is a gravel road with a good bit of traffic. Not a great place to rest. Onward up out of the Gap. The trail climbs for about a mile and a half to the summit. At the summit, look to your right and you will find a small trail that leads to the Wesser Bald Observation Tower. Forty yards to the best views of the whole trip. You can see Fontana Lake, Clingman's Dome and look back over where your feet have traveled in the past weeks. Spend some time on top, it is spectacular. It is a short walk to the Wesser Bald Shelter from here. The spring which feeds the shelter is before you get to the shelter, so we stopped and filled up for tonight and tomorrow. I met Gipcgirl at the spring. We had met in Franklin at the motel. She is from Australia and hikes extensively all over the planet. Gipcgirl had a bit of bad luck on the AT when she fell and broke a bone in her foot before Unicoi Gap. Gipcgirl is one tough broad. She broke her foot at the top of the mountain above Unicoi Gap. She managed to hike the two miles down to the Gap with her pack. One tough cookie. She was able to catch a ride into Hiawassee, where they transported her to Franklin for better medical care.She ended up staying five in a half weeks in Franklin while her foot healed. The town of Franklin adopted her and took her to movies, local events and shopping. The citizens of Franklin opened up their homes and dinner tables to our Australian visitor. Way to go Franklin, you make me proud.We all camped together near the shelter in a clearing. A nice collection of about four hammocks and four tents. We also met a woman from Ohio named Questseeker and a young man named Dragonfly. A good group, dinner was fun.Hiker Tip #21 Shelter etiquette; don't smoke in the shelter, don't use your phone in the shelter, make room for other hikers when it is cold or wet and always bring your sense of humor into the shelter. It is the glue which holds us all together.