Date: 2009-03-13
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light snow

Last night was comfortable in the low 40s. Once again we shared the shelter with Wes and the two British boys. The morning looked like it was going to be a clear day, when we left the shelter at 9 am. We had an initial gradual climb of 350 feet to Sunup Knob. The weather became overcast, although comfortable hiking temperatures. After the climb, we began a gradual descent of 3000 feet down to TN Route 32 (Davenport Gap), just out side the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As we descended we noticed the vegetation changing from a spruce forest to more deciduous trees and scrub pines typical of the coastal plain. Rhododendron and mountain laurel were prevelent on the lower slopes. We were quite grateful that our traverse of the Smokies was in such good weather. We had rain only on March 11. Overnight temperatures never fell into the 30s. This contrasts with our 2005 traverse of the Smokies when we ran into a blizzard and had much colder temperatures and slushy trails. We had wet feet for much of the Smokies in 2005. During the descent to Davenport Gap, Rocky twisted her left ankle and had pain in both her ankle and shin. She hobbled for awhile, but some ibuprofin seemed to ease the discomfort. She was able to continue at a reasonable pace to the crossing of the Pigeon River. Aaat the crossing of the Pigeon, we saw our first flowers of the season, pink blossoms on what may have been a dogwood tree. This was worth a picture stop! After crossing the river and passing under Interstate Route 40, it began to drizzle and Swamp Fox started to get impatient with our slow pace to the Hostel. We didn't stop to put on pack covers and fortunately the drizzle never amounted to anything. We had a 400 foot climb out of the Pigeon River valley to Green Corner Road. During the climb we passed though an area that had been subjected to a deliberate burn, for reasons we didn't understand. The smell of smoke was still in the air. At Green Corner Road, we turned left and walked the 1/4 mile to the Standing Bear Hostel. We both stayed here in 2005, but about three days apart. We arrived at about 4 pm, and found that Wes and the Brits were already here, along with three other thru hikers. Rockhound, works here for the owners, Curtis Owen and wife, Maria Guzman, very graciously showed us around and got us situated in the cabin. The other hikers, all male, had informed Rockhound that we were coming, and left the cabin to us. They all stayed in the bunkhouse. Our cabin is beautiful. It sits over a stream. We have a nice bed and a gas fireplace for warmth. It will cost us $20 each. From Rockhound we found out that Maria would be going to work tonight at a family owned Mexican restaurant. Also there would e live Irish music. This was terrific news and Rocky was able to keep her streak of Mexican in every trail town going. We quickly took showers and left with Maria for the drive to Cosby TN, where the restaurant, the "Front Porch", is located. We enjoyed a grat Mexican dinner and enjoyed the Irish music. It was sort of a Friday the 13th celebration of Saint Patrick's Day. For a Friday the 13th, this has been a Great Day!Tomorrow we will leave here in late morning, as we have to tend to laundry, some minor resupply, internet work, and packing for a four day hike into Hot Springs. We should arrive in late morning on March 17th. We want to stay at Elmer's.