Date: 2009-07-09
From: Tellico Gap/Otter Creek Rd NC

To: Nantahala Gorge/Wesser NC
Miles today: 7.9

We are accessing this section of the trail from the NOC/Wesser NC.Access:Northern end--Nantahala Gorge--see yesterday's post.The southern end and starting point of this hike is Tellico Gap which is reached by taking US 19/74 south or west from NOC approximately 5 miles to Wayah Rd/SR 1310. Take a left here and then go about 5 miles to Otter Creek Rd/SR 1365 and take a left. This is paved for about 2 miles, then you are on your own (gravel)!The parking area is at the top of the gap. (Our rental car will sleep here tonight for tomorrow's hike). The Hike:The trail started up from Tellico Gap and a large parking area with hundreds of railroad ties forming walls.This hike ascends approx 900' and descends approx 3000'...there go the knees!The climb to Wesser Bald (not a bald...no goats or sheep to keep the vegetation down) was about 1.4 miles and was not bad. Our reward was the firetower/observation tower at the top. The top of Wesser Bald was at 4,627'. We climbed the tower and were greeted with sureal views of the surrounding mountains. The clouds were about 1000' below us and all around. All you saw was clouds and the tops of mountains, like green islands in a white sea. If Bugsy ever remembers to bring our computer/camera cord, we can download some of these beauties. It was a little too hazy to see the Smokies, but we know they are waiting for us in September.The AT descended steeply from the 'bald' to Wesser Gap and the Wesser Bald Shelter. We ran into a youth group that was camped out here. They had a large tent pitched and bear bags hanging with their food and toiletries. These new bear cables (provided this year by the ATC) are great and very substantial looking. It beats Bugsy and Burly Girl trying to throw their bear line over a tree branch using a rock as an anchor...reminds us of the time that Bugsy hit himself in the head with the rock as it swung back towards him!For the next 2 miles we walked the ridge up and down over rocky knobs. At around 4 miles the ridge ended at a rocky knob called Jump Up with views to the west/north/and east. It was mountaintops and clouds everywhere. We then descended 1000' in the next mile with some minor rock climbs and steep trail. From there the trail eased. We traveled down and out to the NOC stopping briefly at the Rufus Morgan Shelter for lunch. It was such a contrast to pass from the serenity of the woods into the hub bub of the NOC with the many different outfitters ferrying hundreds of rafters upstream. The trail crossed US Rt 19/74 and went over the Nantahala River on a footbridge. Just over the bridge was Slow Joe's, which as far as we know, is the only bar right on the AT!And we forgot to mention yesterday, we are now less than 500 miles to go to complete the AT! And today brought us over 1,700 miles completed! Wildlife:One lone sqirrel; the rafters on the Nantahala River...we could hear the screams echoing up the canyon walls...Flora:Bugsy's been taking photos of the various mushrooms along the way. But today was amazing...we saw a mushroom that was almost 2' across! And if we had that camera cord, you would be seeing it also! Stay tuned...Bugsy and Burly Girl...doing the AT one day at a time