Date: 2011-03-06
From: UniCoi Gap - Hiawasee Inn

To: Dicks Creek Gap - Hiawasee Inn
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was a great night to inside. The rain continued heavily but the water falling off the roof was as soothing as sleeping next to a creek. I slept well and was up by 6:00. I decided to walk over to the local mini store for a coffee and saw the little restaurant next-door open. As I sat a man who was also having coffee asked if I was hiking. I guess my clothes are a giveaway. Anyway, I told him that I was but not sure about today since it was still pouring. He said that he was heading over past UniCoi gap if I was going over that way. He said he was on his way home near Blairsville and would be leaving in about 10 minutes. I decided to take him up on his offer and hurried back to my room to grab my small makeshift pack. Dave has hiked a lot of the trail in this area and is a very religious person who appreciates the outdoors. As it happens I was dropped off @ UniCoi @ 7:10. I really hadn't figured on starting until around 9:00. If I went at all. It was still pouring as I started off uphill for 1000' to Rocky Mtn. I was still warm and dry after this half hour climb. However, I was doubting my choice. The wind still whipped the rain. The trail was very slippery but with only carrying a few pounds, instead of my normal 30+, I was moving. Coming down the other side was decent other than a few rocky areas. You come down almost as far as you went up and then you climb again. The next mile was a little smoother climb to the flat area around an old cheese factory. Then you have a little harder climb up Tray Mtn. It was still raining, windy and cold but looked to be getting brighter. I was happy to be heading down Tray after having 2 of the bigger climbs done by 9:00. It was stil crappy out but traveling light has it's merits. I didn't even think about stopping @ the shelter. The trail rolled along or maybe it was me. I still kept questioning my decision since the wind picked up and I was no longer as warm as I would like to be. There were a lot of smaller ups and downs before coming to the spring in Sassafras Gap about 11:15. After about 15 minutes I climbed a small bump before coming into Addis Gap. It had stopped raining but my clothes were very wet and I was cold. The sky had many heavy black clouds but they were beginning to break up. I could now feel a separation between the clouds and me instead of feeling I was walking in them. I was a little tired but knew I only had a few more miles to go but one more good climb up Kelly Knob. It looked worse than it was. I moved down the other side and past the shelter turnoff without hesitation. One more little bump and I was heading mostly downhill for the final 3 miles. I was tired and hungry when I hit Dicks Creek Gap. But I was happy I was done and had 16 more miles under my belt. It was still early around 1:15. I realized that I had left my phone in the room so I couldn't call for a ride back. However, being Sunday, there were many weekend hikers finishing their wet hikes that offered a ride to town. All in all, a good day and I still have time for a shower, a good meal and rest before heading back tomorrow. Thanks to all who have signed the Guest Book and I am trying to reply to all in time. If I miss you, thanks for your interest.