Date: 2013-04-24
From: near Rich Mountain Lookout Tower

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

I felt like sleeping in a bit, so I did. When I finally peeked outside, Steph had finished packing and Spoon was half packed. Neither Wales nor the Patriot were up and about. I managed to break camp by 8:45 and left with Spoon. We kept the same pace for a bit, and he told me about some of his MN Rover adventures. It¢s a group, perhaps like MeetUp, where members organize trips and activities and other members can join in the outdoor fun. Soon Spoon sped ahead and I hiked alone for a bit. I like hiking alone because I can take my time, watch my footing, enjoy the views, or smell the flowers without being rushed. The terrain, while not flat, was full of easier ups and downs. The forest in this section is full of shagbark hickories, hemlocks, beech, oak, and of course rhododendrons. By 10:00 a.m., I arrived at the first shelter, Spring Mountain. Yeti was packing up and heading out. I sat for a few minutes with Steph and Patriot, who had passed me a bit earlier. They took a water and food break.Back on the trail, I was managing my H2O remarkably well. I had consumed just a liter or so over the last 3 miles. I was carrying less H2O too because the water sources were so plentiful. By mile 5, I needed to replenish my supply. The guidebook said there was a spring midway down the hill. I found a small spring at about that marker, but I didn¢t like it because the only place to fill was after the H2O had crossed the trail. I took 1 liter, hoping a better source was just around the bend. Unfortunately, that didn¢t happen, and I soon reached NC208/TN70 hwy. I had 5 miles until camp and the next H2O source, so I was forced to hike 0.2 miles down the road to a stream. The stream, while clear, was larger, and I didn¢t know what may have been upstream. Having no choice, I cameled up anyway.Once back at the trailhead, I took a lunch break. The afternoon heat was starting to kick in, and my side excursion for H2O had eaten a good chunk of valuable time. I started up the 5-mile climb to the shelter and, because it was warm, took my time. The forecast called for afternoon showers, but they were holding off for now. Soon I passed a gravel road with a hostel 0.7 miles down the way. I was tempted because of the rain but didn¢t want to spend the money and didn¢t mind getting wet. Famous last words.The last 3 miles climbed up 1,400 feet. About 1.5 miles before camp, it started to rain. I hiked on without changing into my rain gear for about 0.75 miles until the rain became too steady and heavy. I stopped in a rhododendron tunnel since it offered some protection and put on my rain jacket and rain pants. The next 45 minutes were spent hiking in a downpour until, finally, the shelter was in sight. Spoon was there along with a few other hikers. They said Steph and the Patriot had not passed through, so it¢s possible they opted for the hostel.The rain stopped for about two hours, and I set up my tent, fetched water, and made a delicious dinner of red beans and rice. For the most part, I stayed away from the shelter because of all the viruses going around. I crawled into my tent at 7:00 p.m., just as the skies opened up again. In my tent, all cozy and dry, I journaled and listened to music. Another spectacular day gone by!