Date: 2006-03-04
From: Top of Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

SPRINGER FEVER: The annual uncontrollable desire to leave all your worldly goods behind in your nice warm house so that you can venture out into the wilds of Northern Georgia and live in the outdoors as you put your body thru an intense workout, while your stress level drops to zero while meeting the most amazing people.03-04-2006 Saturday Springer Mountain to Hawk Mountain Shelter 7.6 miles.   Up at 06:30 AM and I looked over at DeJaVue. What is it that would drive a person who gets off work at 9:00 AM one morning, comes home to pack and drive another 14 hours, ends up sleeping in the car, and still has a Big Smile on his face as he sleeps? I watched at the darkness turned to light, When I sat up at about 06:45 AM, DeJaVue sat up and looked at me and started the car all in one motion. It just looked so funny as he was still inside his sleeping bag at the time.     We went up to the Lodge for breakfast. A young couple came in and sat behind me. It looked like they were all dressed up to begin their hike. Asked if they were Thru Hikers, and they said that they were. We wished each other luck and got back to eating. We drove up the service road (USFS Road 42) to the parking area. Several vehicles were parked here and some were getting ready to hike. Two young women were getting their picture taken as they started to hike up to the top of Springer.   Changed from street clothes into our hiking clothes, and soon were on the trail up Springer. It seemed like DeJaVue was almost running as we hiked up. He just seemed to glide from one rock to another. I asked him if he was in a race or something and he said no, and put me in front to slow him down. We met the two young women and talked for a moment. They were from central PA, but one now lived in Va. Both had quit their jobs to come out and hike the AT.   We could smell the smoke of the camp fire as we neared the side trail to the shelter. Soon we were at the Top of SPRINGER MOUNTAIN!! The view was nice, it was a clear day, blue sky and sunshine, but still a bit chilly. Signed in the register, which is hidden inside one of the large rocks. I went and stood in front of bronze plaque, so many thoughts racing through my head, and then there was DeJaVue trying to take my picture too. I sat down for a few minutes and enjoyed the solitude of the moment. I could hear a bird singing its song as it was so peaceful. The two young women came up a few minutes later. They were sisters, Megan said they were going to head to Hawk Mt. Shelter today, so we told them we would see them there. I started back down Springer Mt. and came upon Rodger. He was camping up on top of Springer in the tent area and doing a survey for the ATC. As we were coming back down I told DeJaVue that I thought he was more excited then I was, but think I will be even more excited when hiking back down Katahdin. Back down in the parking area, DeJaVue broke open the 12 pack of Dr. Pepper and put six of them near the trail sign, and off we went. The trail was a bit slippery with small patches of ice in some areas. It was a easy hike from the top of Springer to Stover Creek Shelter. At the trail leading to the shelter, a large youth group was resting. It was not until we had passed them and ran into others hiking south, that we knew which way they were going. After passing Three Forks, we took a break, when getting ready to go, DeJaVue had some trouble finding his one strap on his backpack. I laughed and he asked if I was laughing at the Old Man? I told him that I was laughing at him, yes, but that I never thought of him as an old man, I know how he can still leave me in the dust going up hill.   We passed the Long Creek Falls and continued our climb in this area.   It had warmed up a lot today and with clear blue sky, made for a perfect day to start my hike.   We got to Hawk Mountain Shelter before 1:00 PM. There were two different groups of four having lunch here at this time. They were heading on to Gooch Mountain Shelter tonight. I set out my mat inside the shelter and then started to gather fire wood. DeJaVue just rested and enjoyed listening to a woodpecker off in the distance.   The shelter started to fill up quickly after about another hour, and soon tents were going up all around. I cool breeze was blowing and I got the fire started.   One of the hikers said it was 29 degrees on the top of Springer this morning when he woke, sky was still clear so it looked like it was going to be another chilly night.   Everyone seemed to enjoy getting to know each other. Two of the hikers had dogs. Both seemed well behaved and did not bark. I got a laugh at the privy, and was commenting about the great view it has, when someone asked what a privy was? All levels of experience out here for sure.   Elizabeth, a young woman from near Pittsburgh seemed at ease while the sisters seem to struggle a bit. In a month from now all will be well experienced.   Most did not have trail names, and I know it will make it harder to keep track of some, when they do start using their trail names.      I think I was one of the first to make dinner. It did not take long until others were busy making their own dinners.   Hobbit went to cook his meal over the fire, using the grate, I thought I would help him out and lower the grate for him, and had just reached for the side handles and as I grabbed them, I thought Oh no, its going to be hot. My luck it was not hot yet and got to lower the grate, will have to be more careful in the future tho.   Everyone got a laugh at one of the hikers who had packed way too much junk. He had a small tackle box for his first aid items. He has ace bandages, and icepacks, three books, one of which he had already read, canned food, large can of tobacco, blue jeans, and cotton sweatshirt and a whole lot more. At dusk, DeJaVue said goodnight to all and turned in.   I stayed out around the fire and enjoyed the company of the others.   Subman (Ga-Me 03) even started a game, One Fat Hen, that got lots of laughs. I do hope that all will make it to the end or as far as they are going. It was around 8:00 PM when I turned in for the night. The shelter is a two story, and can handle quit a few, but there were only five on the bottom and two up on top. I went to sleep looking up at the star filled sky. I could see more stars here then back home. I could not of asked for a better day to start my hike.