Date: 2021-05-14
From: Davenport Gap Shelter 

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

May 14 - Davenport Gap Shelter to Max Patch - 17.1 miles (146.7 trip miles) - 40110 steps Davenport Gap Shelter is an interesting shelter. There is a chain link fence on the front. You would think that¢s to keep the bears out. But, maybe the bears installed it to keep the humans in. Either way, no up close bear sightings in the Smokies. I did see a rabbit the other day. In all honesty, it has been unseasonably cold in this area and the animals may be struggling with what to do because of the cold The shelter was full last night; like sardines. There is a gate in the chain fence you have to open to go out once closed and latched. The gate is very noisy. Once the middle of the night pee trips started good sleep was not going to happen. People started to pack up around 6 and I followed suit. It¢s tough to deflate an air mattress quietly. I had a couple of oatmeal packets, topped off my water and headed out at 710. From the shelter it is downhill for about 3.5 miles to the Pigeon River. On the way I passed through Davenport Gap and dropped the 2nd half of my permit in the box. As I was reading the news on the bridge, another hiker (I forgot his name) came by and we walked together up the hill to the I-40 underpass. We then followed the dirt road around to the right and up the hill towards Standing Bear Farm Hostel. We then realized we had not seen a white blaze in a while. While we were talking, we missed the turn into the woods. The road met the trail again in a short time so we just stayed on the road to the hostel. I had my resupply box at the hostel. The hostel has a very 70s hippy vibe about it. Everyone was nice and accommodating. I dumped my trash and other junk, packed up my food, gave away unneeded food, and charged my electronics. Payment for store items is on the honor system. Finally, at about 1015 I decided it was time to move on or I would get sucked into staying. The bulk of today¢s hiking was long steep uphills. The first was up to Snowbird Peak. This was a 2500 foot climb over 4.5 miles that took about 3.5 hours. My trail guide had a comment about a power outlet near the summit. It was right and I charged some more while eating lunch.  I think the USB plug I use is just a trickle as it is very slow. At the top of Snowbird there is an FAA communication building that looks like an alien ship. From there it was a long down to Deep Gap. I sat for a bit and took my shoes and socks off to let my feet air out. Still just the one blister from yesterday. From the gap it was mostly uphill for 6.5 miles to my destination for tonight, Max Patch. This is a bald mountain that is very popular with the locals. There are about 100 people here to watch the sunset and maybe 30 tents. The sunset was nice. The views of the nearby towns is incredible. It is a bit cold but the wind has died down. Might get to 40 tonight. I have a reservation for a hostel on Sunday in Hot Springs. A bed should be nice. I also need to eat as much as possible as I feel like I am dropping weight fast. I only need to go 20 miles in 2 days so I can (will I?) take my time. One more thought on the Smokey Mountains and their hiking rules. I think my past comments were somewhat negative about the rules that hikers had to stay in designated sites. No hiker likes that rule but I totally understand the need for it. With the huge number of hikers on the AT and the hundreds of miles of other trails, if the rules were not there the trails would quickly become lined with toilet paper and garbage piles. These rules force the human impact to small manageable areas. I did enjoy the hiking in the Smokies but am glad to be out and free to camp when and where I want. Until tomorrow.