Date: 2019-03-30
From: Standing Indian shelter

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

It's a cool breezy morning on Standing Indian. I'm the last of our quartet to leave after an oatmeal breakfast. We're aiming to see the view from Albert Mountain and stop at a shelter in 17 miles.I head up a gradual ascent to Standing Indian's summit and chat with Cool Hand and Ridge, the father-son section hikers. I hike ahead, staring at the rocks I'm walking over, when I see movement at the switchback ahead and a tall brown furry creature lurches out from behind a tree ahead and moves toward me! I startle before my brain catches up and I realize it's a prank. Bigfoot pulls off his head to reveal "Coach Bill 315". He's getting some footage for his YouTube channel. He tries the same trick on Ridge, but the boy just stands there staring until Cool Hand comes up and he whispers to his dad "There's a crazy guy in a hairy costume behind that tree." But he's a good guy and a veteran hiker just enlivening the day.It's easy, well-graded trail up and down today. No special views, but the neighboring ranges are generally in view between stands of rhododendron. Colors range from brown to hues of blue.After a lunch stop at Carter Gap where I mistakenly follow a steep blue-blaze downhill trying to find the shelter, UNICEF and I march up trail and step off to take in a view. Slip n' Slide, a middle-aged Asian woman, is here along with Machinist with his large dalmatian-spotted dog Six-inch. The dog is carrying his own food and sleeping bag. Machinist says they started the trail 24 days ago.At Mooney Gap we hike into trail magic courtesy of the Oconee Hiking Club in South Carolina! Chili dogs, fruit, and soda. Mmm. A young kid with dreads from Wisconsin is named Cheese Curd. There's a minimalist hiker named Flapjack trying to toughen up his feet to hike barefoot.Hiking on, I think we're climbing Albert Mountain but the trail turns downhill into another gap. More trail magic! A familiar voice yells my name and invites me over. It's Birthday Girl and French Dip from yesterday's trail magic. They have campfire-roasted veggies, guacamole, and fruit! Double Mmm!Finally we climb Albert Mountain, a very steep and rocky ascent which almost requires scrambling. Kind of like the Whites, except it stops after ten minutes instead of three hours!There's a fire tower and incredible 360 degree views from the top. It's a clear day and once again I swear I can see the Smokies. Probably not, but it's fun to see where we're headed.I have service for the first time in days at this high point. Even in Hiawassee service was very poor. I call home but nobody's there. I was looking forward to hearing everyone. Hopefully I get service again soon. The trail down to Long Branch shelter is very fast and nondescript. The shelter is a beautiful two-story structure with a huge overhang, but it's full and all the kind-of level tent sites are taken. About 35 people are already here and more on their way. The hiking club counted 46 at the trail magic. It's going to storm tonight so we make a game-time decision to move on another 3.6 miles to the next shelter. Again the trail is fast and easy and mostly downhill. The Rock Gap shelter is next to a road that goes to Franklin. Only a few people are here. I grab a shelter spot to stay out of the storm. Trim Tab, also on trailjournals, has a fire going. He has me sign his pink guitar. He doesn't play much, but out of a crowd of 12 we find Fast Lane knows a few licks. Also here are a woman named Raindancer, a girl named Sassafras and another girl just-christened Turnip. Also a retired guy from Sandusky, Ohio named Jo-o-oe! (like Norm! from Cheers), and a pair of brothers thruhiking together sharing a tent. They haven't killed each other yet!It's a sociable fire circle and the stars even peek out for a time. Soon though it's time to turn in and see if the duct tape patches to the shelter roof hold out the rain.