Date: 2016-05-07
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

It's warmer today! And the sun is shining! And I saw stars last night for the first time!It was a long night though as my tent, and everybody else's were pitched on a slope. There weren't any good sites left with all the people camped at this shelter site so we did the best we could. I kept sliding downhill all night and it made it tough to sleep. The morning was noticeably warmer and the sun was out, so all is right in our world!We packed quickly and took off around 8 am. We were headed for Cable Gap Shelter - 15.2 miles that would put us only 6 miles from Fontana Dam. I quickly was outpaced by the group, they are all such fast hikers but hoped I would be able to meet up with them tonight.There was a tough 600 foot climb to start the day to the top of Cheoah Bald, but the views on top were amazing! The trail was generally downhill from there down to Stecoah Gap, and among the way I passed the first trail crew I have seen repairing a section of trail. I will never complain about how much weight I carry (Okay, yes I will) seeing these guys and gals hauling up chain saws and pick axes and sledge hammers to work on the trail for US. They are volunteers and someday I need to make an effort to join a trail maintenance crew myself.As I continued down to the gap, I was passed by an uphill hiker who said there was trail magic at the gap. My pace doubled at the thought of food, and I literally started running toward the gap. Sure enough Old Goat and Granny were down in the picnic area feeding about 20 hikers! I got down there and they offered me a plate of food and a soft drink, I was in heaven! I ended up eating 4 hot dogs and two colas, beans, cookies, saut©ed onions and grabbed an apple for later. I sat in a chair, enjoyed the sunshine and even had cell service to catch up with the family. What an incredible blessing this couple does for hikers. Thank you!   We exchanged contact info, and I started back up the trail. I should know that when this section of the trail is named Jacob's Ladder it's going to be bad. The trail went up 700 feet very very steeply, and it was a tough climb after a big lunch. Several other hikers were climbing out and we were all huffing and puffing up this section. From the top we could see some nice views through the trees, but then had to continue up some more along a ridge line before heading down a steep downhill. I passed Brown Gap Fork Shelter and still had 6.1 miles to go before getting to Cable Gap Shelter. It was getting late, I definitely had stayed at the gap too long enjoying lunch.The trail continued on through a variety up small ups and downs and I finally got to Cody Gap about 6 pm. It was another 3 miles to Cable Gap shelter so I decided to overnight at Cody Gap where there were some good tent sites. Only one other hiker was here, Papa, who had also been with the masses at Sassafras Gap the night before. I set up camp, and still full from my glorious lunch, just ate my apple for dinner.It would be nine miles to Fontana in the morning, longer than I would have liked, but I didn't want to go on to Cable Gap and find a full shelter site again. I planned on getting up early and getting a quick start so I could be there in time to meet my brother who was giving me a ride to Virginia. I was disappointed I wouldn't get to see my trail family again, but maybe somewhere up north they'll pass me and we can have a reunion.