Date: 2022-11-05
From: US 19

To: Yellow Mountain Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We left Boone before 7:00 and got Chick-Fil-A on our way out of town. The trail crew was back on the trail at US 19 before 8:00. The day was dreary but not raining or cold at the trailhead. They planned on hiking 14.5 miles to Carvers Gap where we'd pick them up and take them to a camping spot. Camping isn't permitted in the gap itself. Baxter and I headed back through Roan Mountain, TN and started up Carvers Gap Road. We had settled on hanging out at the gap for the day passing out trail magic and seeing if we could help anyone. On the way past the state park, I swung in to see if there was an off chance they'd have a camping spot for Saturday night on short notice. When I had driven through here Thursday they had none available. Due to the less-than-ideal weather, there was one spot open! I paid $17 for it and left the office pumped up! This was only 8 miles south of the trail and we could set up tents here before going to the gap. Baxter and I headed over to site 23 and put up our two tents. We returned to the office in the van to send Joni a text letting her know the plan.As I was writing the text message she called. It was 10:59am.There was loud wind in the background. "We can't make it to Carvers Gap. The wind is gusting over 40 miles per hour. We can't walk through it in some places. We need to turn around and go back to 19.""How far from 19 are you?""Six-and-a-half miles.""Are you safe where you are right now?""Yes. Just getting a little cold in the wind. We're better when we're moving.""Let me check the map for a minute or two and see what the best plan is for getting you guys out. I'll call right back."I hung up and studied the road atlas and the AT Guide. I had heard Ninja Squirrel in the background of the call suggest Yellow Mountain Gap. It was 2.5 miles ahead of them. The atlas and my digital maps showed roads almost all the way to the gap on both sides of the ridge. I called back."I'll meet you in Yellow Gap. I'll be there before 12:00. Can you make it there?""We can."Baxter and I set off for the gap. The weather in the valley was fine but we could see the ridge above us covered in clouds. It looked calm enough but the phone call told a different story. The mountains were getting raked by strong winds from Hump Mountain to perhaps past Big Bald, 30 miles south. Our first attempt was to drive to the gap from the west side of the trail (compass north). We got to within about three-quarters of a mile before being stopped by a gate, ostentatiously overdone with signs warning of the dangers of trespassing. We turned around and started the 30-minute drive to the other side of the ridge. We passed the put-in spot for the day on 19 and headed up Roaring Creek Road to the Overmountain Victory Trailhead. It was raining and windy in the trees at the end of the road. I left Baxter in the car and jogged the half-mile uphill past the gate. I came out in the field around the Overmountain Shelter. The shelter is an old, red barn used by hikers for years as a shelter. It sleeps perhaps 40 people and looked old and rugged in the foggy field. I turned up the blue-blazed trail there towards the AT and came into Yellow Mountain Gap. I expected the trail crew there by now and, after some up-and-down nearby trails, found Joni waiting for me at the gap. She and the trail crew had taken a side-trail from the gap to the parking lot and had missed me as I went up the gravel road. No harm done. Everyone was safe in the van.We cranked the defrosters and rolled slowly back down Roaring Creek Road. The pictures and videos they brought back were nuts. We saw some video taken by friends of our just a few miles ahead that was equally awesome. She made a good call to get out.Back at the State Park the weather was fine. No wind. No rain. No sunshine. It was quiet. Our friend, Dr Todd, from Dahlonega was there at the state park to meet us. He had his two boys with him. We hung out in the pavilion with them for the dinner hour. The rain started in and we were glad to have a cover over our heads. Dr Todd is a chiropractor and came to dole out massages and adjustments to everyone. They also brought chocolate from Paul Thomas and The Fudge Factory - Dahlonega establishments. He had good advice about Baxter's leg and offered to help however he could. It was great to get time with a friend from home!We enjoyed a trail dinner. We checked the forecast for tomorrow and decided to pick up where we left off today. It was a good end to a day with a rough morning. We were all excited to have conquered it.