Date: 2018-11-27
From: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC

To: State Line Branch Creek, TN
Miles today: 16.6

It didn't seem so cold when I got up. Maybe I have a good system staying warm while I pack up in the mornings. But I was a little surprised when I shined the headlamp outside to see it all white. I was on the trail at 6:20. Not much snow, less than an inch. I left later than usual because I not only went a few miles further than planned but also I wanted it to be daylight on top of Max Patch. I only used my headlamp for a short time as I climbed the two miles to the summit of Max Patch. Max Patch is vast open meadows on top of the mountain with gorgeous views of neighboring mountains. Someone described it as being in Switzerland. But today there were no views. The summit was in the clouds and all the grasses and bushes were frosted white. Though I lost the views I found beauty in the winter wonderland. The wind was brisk as I descended the hilltop. The trail followed old roads and good trail. At about 10:35 I came to the side trail to Groundhog Creek Shelter. I decided go the .2 to the shelter. I got water and made coffee. My water bottle had ice in it from last night. I headed out about 11:15. The trail was still snow covered with occasional animal tracks. As I climbed Snowbird Mountain up to the FAA towers I was in the clouds again. Like Max Patch this morning all was frosted white on top of Snowbird.I descended towards Davenport Gap on gentle but seemingly endless switchbacks. Most of the snow at the lower elevation had melted. I saw a bobcat jump onto a snow covered log and slowly walk across it above a stream. The only other critter I saw all day was a squirrel. I saw no hikers. At 3:30 I went under I-40 following a local road. The trail followed the road across the Pigeon River. Just across the bridge a white Tennessee Department of Transportation pickup slowed to my pace. A few guys were in the truck. The driver asked if I was doing the AT. He asked when I started. He said I have only one more state to go. He said it's his dream to do the AT some day. I thanked them for talking to me. They turned around and all waved as I did when they drove by. I needed that encouragement. The trail left the road and climbed along a creek with plenty of waterfalls. A few big downed trees were an obstacle but I got through. About 4 p.m. I saw a campsite near where the creek split. This was my destination for the day. It is only 1.3 miles to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boundary and I don't want to go in until tomorrow. If I enter I must stay at a shelter. I want to tent as much as possible to stay as warm as possible. However tomorrow night and the next night I have no choice. Hopefully I can set my tent up inside. I admit I am a bit anxious about the next few days. It is cold in the valleys so it will be tough up there. There may be plenty of snow up there, too. But I know three Sobo thru hikers are just one day ahead of me so I can follow their footprints if necessary. There is a wind chill advisory tonight so I hope they are safe in a shelter somewhere. They signed the register yesterday morning at the shelter I stayed at last night. There was Sammertime, Fluffy and another guy. After two nights I will be much lower in elevation, however there is a chance of rain. Just two weeks from tomorrow I expect to finish. I must keep that in mind as an incentive.