Date: 2009-04-05
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs Campground
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

April 5, 2009What a day! Spent last night with Augie Doggie (a thru-hiker) and ExNav (a section hiker). Got up early and began hiking at 0710. The first hour+ was fairly easy on a well graded trail. Reached Walnut Mtn Shelter at 1000. That shelter is not one of the best I've seen so far. It¢s fairly small with gaps in the floor. In addition, it is known to have a bear problem. The water source which is down a hill wasn't running despite all the rain the last few weeks. Next was the trek up Bluff Mtn. Despite the guides showing a tough climb, I didn't think it was too tough--long, but not to bad. I think eating my graham crackers and Nido with chocolate milk mix made a difference. Eating before a big climb seems to make it easier than it should be. On the way down I met a group of high school students from Cincinnati. Part of their curriculum is doing something out of the classroom for two weeks in the Spring. There were 25 students plus adults. They were scattered out over most of the mountain. There wasn't anything like that when I was in school. By this time it was beginning to get hot. I met a group of Carolina Mountain Club members out for a hike at Garenflo Gap and thanked them for the work the club does maintaining the trails. It¢s now getting hotter with very little wind. I took a break at Deer Park Mtn Shelter and ate my lunch. It was over 76 degrees inside the shelter. This one was much like the previous shelter. One distinguishing characteristic of this and Walnut Mtn Shelter is they both are made for short people. Anyone over 5'10" would not fit. They're just not deep enough for a normal size pad and sleeping bag. From here it was mostly down hill into Hot Springs. I reached the outskirts at 1600. Went to three different places and no rooms were available. One note; at the Alpine Motel I was told no rooms unless I had a reservation. About 45 min later another hiker arrived without a reservation and got a room. Maybe I just didn't look right. Anyway I tried to call a B&B with an all you can eat breakfast but couldn't get someone to answer-just the run around with the computer, then leave your name and number an "we'll call you back.". Next was a visit to the campground. They had a cabin without indoor plumbing available and I took it. The showers and bathroom are about 75 feet away. I met two young guys from Maryville and they needed a place to stay so I invited them to stay with me. Next it was time to eat. The previously most popular restaurant is now closed. The diner closed at 1700, 30 minutes before we (Augie and I) arrived. We met ExNav and he offered to drive us somewhere to eat. There really isn't any town close to Hot Springs but we headed out anyway. After over an hour later we were at Weaverville and a McDonald's. There was nothing open in Marshall and all points in between. After we all ate our fill it was back to the campground and a shower. A strange, but good ending to a very warm day. Thanks ExNav for the ride. Tomorrow I need to run a few errands in town so I don't plan to leave until after 1000. As such, I'm only going to the first shelter, about 11 miles. The bad weather looks like its holding off until Tuesday. The snow and cold temperatures won't matter as much since I'm only going about another 7 miles further to a hostel. There should be a mail drop waiting for me. Wednesday's weather looks good. If everything goes well I should be in Erwin on Friday or Saturday morning to begin a few days off. That's about all for now. Its after 2200, way passed my bedtime. Take care. DaveMin Temp: 43.8Max Temp: 83.3Weather: Sunny and hot