Date: 2007-04-22
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 22Song: The Bear Went Over the Mountain (How long has it been since that song played in my head?)WOW! What a day! The weather was even better then yesterday: a beautiful, sunny day but cooler with the altitude and the breeze. Pat said the forecast was for rain starting tomorrow afternoon so I decided to get out early and go over Clingmans Dome. That meant it would be 13.5 miles to the shelter, so I got out about 7:15, to try to make a little time early in the day. Sir Privy Winks caught up with me late morning and we took a trail break together.The hike from Silers Bald Shelter to Double Spring Gap Shelter was awesome. I inadvertently went to the lookout at Silers Bald when I misinterpreted the trail marker on a rock (see photo). Most of the section was ridge top or along the sides of the ridge. When it wasn¢t stunning views it was masses of wildflowers all in the crisp, clear light that only comes on a sunny day at altitude. Part way up I suddenly thought, ¢It smells like Yankee Candle,¢ and I realized I was coming into an area where there were fir trees.After Double Spring Gap Shelter the trail went into the firs and stayed under them for much of the climb to Clingmans Dome. Shad and that wonderful smell¢it was great! The views were awesome all the way up. Nearing Clingmans Dome I went the wrong way and headed to the parking lot. A hiker coming up the trail was nice enough to check to see if that was where I wanted to be so I did not end up going too far. Thank you, whoever you are. He was finishing up a loop he had started on Friday when there were still lots of fresh blowdowns. By Sunday as I was coming through volunteers had cleared them all away.I started to bypass Clingmans Dome because it was past 4 pm and I still had four miles to go to the shelter, but I felt bad about missing it. When I realized how close it was I changed my mind and cut over to it. The view from the top was good--you could see 360 degrees¢but I had better, closer views all the way up. The awesome thing was the maps pointing out landmarks. I had been watching Fontana Lake all the way up but at the top I saw Standing Indian Mountailn and Cheoh Bald. It was very impressive to see where I had been and how far I had come. I made it to Mt Collins Shelter about 7:15.I shared the shelter with Hardcore, BigFoot, Portland and a couple from Alaska I didn¢t really meet. I got water, knitted a bit on square 4 of the Appal-afghan and went to sleep. It got pretty windy and spit a little snow in the night. There is still a little snow on the ground in places.Today was one of those days that makes the hard work, discomfort and fatigue worth it, although I am sure there are easier ways to do it, (like driving up to Clingmans Dome and day hiking). I was starting to wonder what I am doing out here in the first place. Today¢s climb turned out to be one of the reasons I am here.Days like this are too long, especially with this much climbing. My knees feel a little overworked and I feel overworked in general. The rest of my days in the Smokys will be shorter. After that, when I am not required to stay in shelters and am not trying to keep a schedule to meet someone, I am going to slow down a bit.