Date: 2013-05-02
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 4: A. Locust Cove Gap to Cable Gap Shelter All¢s well that ends wellUp at 6:30 but still moving slowly to pack up and get out of camp although I don¢t know why, seems to be some mental block about a more efficient departure. Used to be up at 0400 and ready for work within 30 minutes and now¢¦ well go figure. The tent was a little damp but not too bad. The start of the hike was as expected, climb out of Locust Gap, some flat stretches (very welcome), descents into Simp Gap and Stecoah Gap about 3 miles from my campsite. Stecoah Gap is right at a road (N.C. 143) and has a picnic area that faces a nice view of the mountains (maybe the Smokys?). The highlight of my morning was walking along the side of a ridge when I recognize the sound of a dogs running gait through the leaves. As I look over to my right (downhill) I see a full and furry face appear, a beautiful set of darkish eyes, slightly long snout and a lovely deep tawny brown- this coyote was unlike any I have seen in suburban America. It was healthy, still in a winter coat and quite beautiful. If only I had my camera out! It seemed as if we looked at each other for minutes, but I know it was much briefer before I clanked my hiking poles together and she took off as quickly as she approached. (Ms. Susan Harris has graciously allowed me to reference this photo which is very similar to what I saw: Raspberries by Susan HarrisFrom Stecoah Gap, the trail took a turn for the worse. Remember I had originally thought of doing everything from yesterday PLUS everything I did this morning PLUS the next 2.4 miles to get to Brown Fork Gap Shelter? I am sooooooo glad I decided not to do that yesterday; I might have quit and hitched a ride back to my car. From Stecoah Gap you climb into the woods and face Jacob¢s Ladder- a 600¢ climb not in 6 miles, or 3 or even 1 mile but in six-TENTHS of a mile. All you math graph wizards plot that baby out-- it looks something akin to straight up and it felt that way too!. It was not an ascent as much as it was a lean forward and claw your way to the top of the mountain. Even the switchbacks offered no relief. The usual lazy s-curves that are followed by long flat sections were not to be found here. This was more like the Tail of the Dragon (google it) with 130 curves in only 11 miles. I stopped frequently. I stopped at the hairpin turns and rested against some seemingly strategically-placed trees. I rested against these trees to keep in check the strong gravitational pull that was poised to suck me back down to the foot of the mountain. Six-tenths of a mile is usually nothing, but today it was grueling, slow, and littered with prolific profanity as I trudged up the little bastard (sorry no LNT here).Shockingly, once I got passed this section, the trail became walkable again. I ran into Bullwinkle and NASCAR again today and we chatted about the weather (bad weather ahead) as well as their plans for skipping forward to Gatlinburg. We parted ways and said we¢d see each other again in the Smokys. While I figured it was possible to hike to Walker Gap campsite, when I arrived at Cable Gap Shelter and found it deserted, I took full advantage of the free-flowing streams that seemed to surround the shelter and camping area. I had arrived mid-afternoon and the weather was still warm enough to allow me to place my feet in the freezing-cold stream (downstream of the spring of course) and do a spot rinse of all the salt. I was feeling pretty relaxed, decided to start the second half of last night¢s dinner and enjoy the solitude and the break. About an hour or so after I arrived the Czech couple did, then another hiker, then a woman I would meet called SIS (Sliding in Sideways), and Bearpaw, and Bones. At this point I realized that tent spots would become a premium and if I wanted to stay, I had better set up. So, out went the thought of an additional 3.x miles and I settled into the camp life talking with new people and enjoying the mild weather. As I turn in just a little before hiker midnight (about 9), I hope to awake early tomorrow, maybe 6. I want to get into the Village early so I have as much of the day as possible to get showered, laundry done, a meal or two in me, charge my batteries and sort out my food drop. Tomorrow is the last day before I enter the Smokys which is supposed to be a challenging part of the trail. But for now, life is good, the stream is babbling happily alongside of my tent and I hear someone snoring already. It¢s a nice night on the trail, I¢m glad I stayed. Day 3- Views from Cheoah BaldGoodnight from ~49.4 miles into my hike- look out Fontana Dam Village, here I come!More photos for day 4 of the trip can be seen at: 2000Miler