Date: 2007-05-14
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Not too long after I climb into my tent last night, a torrential downpour ensues! Now I get to test out the veracity of REIs claims that the Roadster will stay dry! Well, I must say that I am most pleased with my purchase (I never had time to do a shake-down hike!), as the inside, along with my gear tucked under the rainfly, remains completely dry!The rain ends before I wake up for good in the morning (the wind and torrents wake me numerous times throughout the night), and I hang the rain fly on a tree to dry in the sun before I push out for Tray Mountain.I'm pleased that the Mark Trail Wilderness Area remains relatively smooth, with pretty slight grades... until I reach Rocky Knob and Blue Mountain! The climb up and over each is a rock scramble! I use this as mental preparation for the infamous rocks in Pennsylvania I've read so much about, as I carefully manuever over and around the beautiful rocks, many with lichen thriving on them!At Blue Mountain Shelter, I meet a section-hiker whose name escapes me. I tell him where I've come from (Low Gap Shelter) and where I'm headed (Tray Mountain Shelter), and he thinks I'm nuts, what with the rocky climb up Blue, then back down to Unicoi Gap, then up to Tray Mountain. It's funny, as he's doing the same section, albeit Southbound! He's a good 15-years older than me, so why can't I do it? Rather than allow this to annoy me, I allow it to motivate me to stick to my guns by camping atop Tray Mountain!The rocky descent to Unicoi Gap is definitely that [rocky], but I'm used to it by now, so I actually am able to enjoy it in some deep sense. Maine is my goal, and this is my path, so I take it with a valiant smile upon my face. During my descent, I hear twigs snapping down the mountain side from the Trail. My first thought is correct: a bear! It looks to be several hundred pounds, and walking (not running) away from my general direction. It stops at a tree, and up scrambles a baby to the top, who sits there and intently looks righ at me! Up climbs another baby bear, stopping midway, dangling to look at me! The mama bear growls to the baby, who then, in response, climbs the rest of the way, also sitting there, starting directly at me! The mama then sits with her back against the tree, facing my direction, making an odd sort of clucking sound, as if she's alerting me to their presence, and letting me know that if I try anything stupid, the babies are treed, and I'm all hers. I snap a few pictures, than meander away, facing the direction of the bears until they are out of my sight. After that, I face North, and walk on my merry way, periodically looking behind me to make sure I'm not being followed! What an awesome experience to see THREE black bears!I cross Unicoi Gap, and see the 3rd and final GA AT plaque in this section, mounted on a rock. Etched on its surface is the year 1934. Is this the year these plaques were made? If so, then I am amazed that they have not been defaced in over 70-years! The climb up Rocky Mountain is steep and (surprise!) rocky, but it's short. I'm learning that I prefer the short steep ups over the long gradual ones.Back down to Indian Grave Gap, from where it's all uphill for the next 2.8-miles to the Tray Mountain Shelter! It proves to be strenuous, indeed! I'm tired, my blisters are still healing/callousing over, my knee is feeling better but is still tender, and this is easily my biggest mile-day yet! Perseverance is key, though, and that is precisely what I do! And, what a reward atop Tray, with the views on either side of the rocky crag? Unfortunately, I'm too tired to think of taking any pictures up here! 'Tis a pity!I reach the shelter, and there meet Bruce and Jan, along with Geo and Q. I met Geo and Q at Neels Gap, and immediately thought they were stoners... I'm sorry, but I did! Here, Geo was telling how he eventually converted to Russian Orthodox, and is now thinking of considering being a monk! Bruce is a college professor in Indiana, and he and his wife are out for a hike, having the time of their lives. Geo, Q, and I take the shelter, which is a big mistake on my part! They're both snore-ers, and Geo has headphones playing what seems to be the same bass line ALL NIGHT long! My sleep is intermittent, and not very restful. At least I got some sleep, though!