Date: 2005-03-12
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Giant Dead TreeIt was definitely a good choice to go the last 3.8 to Franklin on Friday.  Despite the blowing snow, we stayed toasty in Rock Gap Shelter with Quick Step, Steady Step and Old Yeller (who as a group we affectionately refer to as the three wise men).  It took some creativity to figure out how to arrange ourselves since the shelter sloped down towards the back wall, but snow was blowing in on the open side where the shelter floor upsloped.  At first we had our heads facing out, but that was both cold and damp.  So we decided that staying warm and dry was worth sleeping with heads pointed down hill.  You would not, however, believe first how quickly such a position induces a severe and pounding headache.  We had to do something.  Eventually we decided to put our empty packs under our thermarests to prop up our heads and upper bodies.  Worked like a charm!  Almost like a craftmatic adjustable bed!  Almost, but not quite.We woke up before first light, anxious to pack up and get into Franklin. In 2001 we were very nervous about visiting any special sights or features that required anything more than a few feet detour from the AT.  The Wasalik Poplar, second largest poplar tree in the world, was one of the sights forsaken.  Since we only had 3.8 miles into Franklin, we decided that this time it was worth the extra 1 mi. round trip.  So this giant poplar is supposed to be quite a sight.  I'm picturing the Tree of Life, with brances spread out, full of golden leaves gently waving in the warm breeze.  Rays of sunlight filtering through the branches in heavenly beams onto soft, inviting green grass.  Bluebirds and butterflies flitting about cheerily.  This was the picture in my mind for the poplar..  Now, I know it is the middle of March, still winter, and there is snow on the ground.  But being .5 mi off the trail I guess I was expecting a sight of magnificence and wonder.We're walking down the trail to the tree, eager to see this sight that we regretted missing.  We're looking for the giant imposing sight around each corner, certain it will stand out in shining brilliance among the trees of comparative youth.  The first thing I saw was the little crescent shaped fence deliniating the tree's personal space.  Then I noticed the trunk, certainly large and impressive.  I walked right up to her and wrapped my arms about the great masif, hugging the tree to get a true sense of scale.  She was certainly big.  No golden rays of sun, bluebirds chirping or green grass though.  Which, would be fine, but as my eyes followed the great trunk up to where foliage bearing brances should be, I realized.  The tree is dead!  A small detail you would think the guide book could have mentioned.  I was a little disapointed.  The hike to Winding Stair was quite a bit of a climb, but we reached the road soon enough.  The 3 wisemen passed us, when we went to see the dead tree, and were there when we arrived.  They had called the Haven Budget Motel for a shuttle.  We were going to hitch but since they'd already called, we decided to go with them.  And wait we did.  And wait.  Finally the shuttle arrived, just prior to loosing some of our less important extremities to the cold and wind.We had the shuttle drop us off at Mama's restaurant for breakfast.  Everyone was so friendly and talkative there.  A gentleman who ended up being the Fire Chief talked to us all through breakfast, and ended up offering us a ride to the motel.  As we pulled up in the bright red official fire dept vehicle, we saw the wonder twins (Rocky and Cat Toy) and SciFi hanging around outside their room!  We found the Gang!  We were all very excited to see one another, and filled in on the happenings of the past few days.  They all made it in to Franklin on Wednesday, and had been slackpacking for a few days.  Stick was fighting a cold or the flu but was still getting some miles in.  Spoonie was feeling much better, in higher spirits and staying on the trail.  Humpty and Flying Turtle were also there.  We all got shuttled in the "short" bus to do laundry and run errands.  Get 10 hikers together, and even doing laundry is fun!Danger