Date: 2015-03-15
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

5/15, 9 pm, 13.8 milesIt first comes into view five or six miles before you arrive. Then for a couple hours you climb and climb towards it like pilgrims to Mecca, up and up and down a little then up again. Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT was on our route today.We woke up the entire shelter at 6:30 in order to get an early start but with temps this morning near 35 degrees it was a little slow going. We finally started hiking at 9 am. The great news for today was the sunny skies, mild temps and slight breeze. As we hiked we hung different things off the back of our packs to dry after three days of rain. First yesterdays hiking socks, then shirts, pack covers, gloves, food bags. Anything that was wet and could be hung on the pack was hung, and dry by noon. The only moisture I could not eliminate was some water that had gotten into my sleeping bag since the wet night in the tent. We had completely forgotten to hang out our bags when we stayed in the lodge, and mine is wet. Fortunately it is the lower third and does not make it difficult to stay warm since down does not insulate when wet.The highlight of our hike was Clingmans. At 6643 ft it is the high point of the trail, but I have to admit I was disappointed. There is an observation deck built there providing 360 degree views on a clear day, and we had a spectacularly clear day, unfortunately the site itself is in such decay and disrepair it was hard to overlook. After the ten mile hike uphill to get there maybe I allowed my expectations to over inflate. It really was nice to have sunshine and clear blue skies all day.After Clingmans the next shelter is 3.4 miles away, and .5 mile off trail. Ant the end of the day these hikes are always difficult because legs are tired, stomaches are near empty and all we want is to rest our feet, eat, sleep and start again tomorrow.We finally arrived here at Mt Collins shelter near 6:30. Our latest day and longest day of hiking yet at 13.8 miles. We were pleasantly surprised to find the shelter empty. That meant we could settle right in to three of the four thru hiker spots. Another thru hiker joined us a little later, glad for a spot. There are two other tents set up, one is a couple from Germany who are thru hiking and the other a couple of young college guys giving the thru hike the old college try. ( sorry, it was there).I hung my sleeping bag to dry a little and went to get water. The water source was .2 mile down the trail so it took some time. Then fix dinner, check out the new privy, hang my food bag and get my bedroll set, and its 9:20 when I lie down in my bag to begin to write. We have decided after two long days we will take a short one tomorrow, only 8 miles, and leave ourselves two long ones out of the park. That will have us through the Smokies a day ahead of schedule, and into Hot Springs for our first zero. We are all feeling like we need it. To close, Mom, I have not seen or heard a bear yet, but I did step over ones scat on the trail today. I bet I will have to wait for the Shenandoah to see a bear! We have seen a Bald Eagle, and heard the Ruffed Grouse thumping in the morning. It does seem the birds are just coming around with a slow cold spring. Silverback