Date: 2006-06-10
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

June 10, 2006 Peck¢s Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob ShelterDay 24. Peck¢s Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter (12.9 miles plus .4 mile back to the Trail that didn¢t count)(From now on, just the date will appear in the journal; not the day.)Up early and out of the shelter by 7:40 a.m. I still had to hike the .4 mile uphill to the AT. Uphill, first thing in the morning, is always tough, but it gets me going! At 8:00 a.m. I was back on the AT and once again hiking in a thick cloud. Everything was damp and the trees were dripping! The others going east had left the shelter slightly before me. The first goal for the morning was the Tri-Corner Knob Shelter at 5.2 miles. The mountains between Peck¢s Corner Shelter and Tri-Corner Knob Shelter were Mt. Sequoyah and Mt. Chapman at 6,069 and 6,417 feet respectively. Two noteworthy things happened along this path. First, I heard what I thought was a pig or wild hog squealing, and it sounded very close. Not knowing if its mom was nearby, and having heard tails about how vicious wild hogs can be protecting their young, I high-tailed it for the next mile or so. Then I stepped on one of the many wet logs across the path and my right leg slipped radically and instantly sideways, pulling both my leg and groin muscles. I almost fell. Oh the pain! I was hoping I had not seriously hurt myself. I decided to go ahead and take one of my pain pills and then go on hiking. I was not sure how far I had come, but I figured I had at least a mile or a mile and a half before I would see the shelter. Suddenly I came upon a sign pointing off the Trail to the shelter. So, I then I knew that I had covered over five miles and it was only 10:30 a.m. I was making really good time.   This is the most remote shelter in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The other four hikers were already there and Joe and Natasha were getting ready to move on. I took a few pictures and then continued on right behind Always Late and I Forget It. By now the sun was up and shining and the Trail was truly spectacular with rhododendron blooming profusely everywhere. The Trail passed Mt. Guyot and I didn¢t even realize it. Mt. Guyot is the tallest mountain in the eastern section of the Great Smokies. The Guide Book listed a Guyot Spur Trail as well as a Mt. Guyot side trail which led to the peak. But, the signs on the AT were missing, so I didn¢t know where these side trails were located. I was disgusted!   The rest of the day was like hiking through an ancient rainforest.   There were large trees that had been twisted into grotesque shapes by the extremely severe weather along these high mountain ridges. The trees were covered with moss as was every thing else and there were thousands of ferns. Water frequently ran over and down the rock-covered path from the many springs flowing out of the mountains. The spectacular views were many ¢ awesome! I slowed down a bit to enjoy the flowers and the vistas. I either had to slow down or stop to check out the scenery because I could not take my eyes off the path, which continued to be treacherous. I could look out over the hills and see the ridges covered with blooming rhododendron leading into the valley.   The last hill for the day was called Cosby Knob. It should be called Cosby Knobs. It went up, then flattened out; up again, flattened out; and then the last up went down into the Cosby Knob Shelter. The first thing I noticed when I got to the shelter was a man in a kilt. Joe and Natasha and Always Late and I Forget It were also there. Shortly after I arrived, Joe and Natasha announced their plans to head on for Davenport instead of spending the night at the shelter. That left just the four of us guys. The kilted man¢s Trail Name was Bear Killer. Gnats and other small biting insects soon found us and they were ferocious. I sprayed some Deet on my arms and legs and continued with the evening¢s activities but not before sustaining several bits that I¢ll be scratching for the next few days. Later I hung the food bag and my pack and got ready for the night. Oh, by the way, Jim McFadden, I now know what is worn under a kilt!