Date: 2011-05-11
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was eerie or surreal this morning going through the a.m. drill of breakfast and packing up. It was Bandit's and my last day alone on the trail. We've had such a great time and I really, really hate to see it end. I can only hope the second half of our adventure will be this awesome. I left in the middle of the pack with full water and no food left so speak of. I am getting better at not carrying any "stupid" food, the food you carry around but never eat. :-)The morning hike was uneventful and wonderfully not difficult. We arrived at Yellow Creek Gap to find the fire fighters taking a quick break on a gravel road (Forest Rd). Right next to Hwy 1242. I sat on Bandit's bed roll and stripped my boots and socks. Everyone hussled on to get to Cable Gap Shelter for lunch. The shelter was right on the trail, small, and older with a wonderful stream running right next to it. Lunch of tuna and crackers, yum!!! Fire fighters left, then I left and the college boys lagged behind to fillout shelter journal.It should have been an easy climb to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain followed by a wonderful gentle downhill to the Dam, but the AT doesn't work that way. The climb to the top of Yellow Creek Mountain was exhausting and it was hot and humid. At one point, Bandit and I both collapsed on a patch of green grass to take a power nap. Once going again, would these rock climbs like NEVER end!!!Finally, finally, we got to the top only to find the fire fighters there helping one of their own with some serious blisters. Man, he had to be hurting!!! They were nasty, ouch!!! Duct tape was being put to work. The two college boys had long passed us all and Bandit and I moved out in front of the 5 firefighters. And down we went. It was gentle but very long hike. Didn't go too fast but the excitement of getting to the Dam was building.Finally, we (just Bandit and I) popped out of the canopy laced trail onto Hwy 28. This was the famous Fontana 28 AT crossing where a Marian was supposed to be. There were stone restrooms and a long downhill ramp (paved) to the floating Marian which was huge. Its only access was a long floating dock. The ramp was lined with tall trees, dense, giving the whole picture a welcome relief from the green tunnel we'd just exited from. But I wasn't able to locate the white blazes that would lead us to the famed Fontana Hilton Shelter. So we sat down to wait for the 5 firefighters.They arrived shortly thereafter, exploring the entire Marina area. They wanted to rent jet skis and weren't interested in the shelter just yet. But I needed the shelter and a ride to my car. One of the 5 firefighters found the white plazes and Bandit and I headed alone toward the shelter. In typical AT style, this short 1 mile hop from the Marina to the shelter dished out some serious climbs and drops. Couldn't for just once, some part of the trail be 'relaxing'???We popped out on Hwy 1245 that leads people to the dam proper. We hiked on it for a bit until we came to a vista just before the Dam. One of the college boys was there talking with visitors. I later learned he was looking for a ride into Fontana Vilage. Bandit and I took the eastward branch to the Fontana Hilton without stopping at the vista. It wanted to see what this shelter was all about before calling for my ride. It was of course, downhill, which meant I'd have to climb back up (sigh).The shelter was a newer structure with upper and lower bunks on both sides facing inward toward each other. NICE!!! There was an awesome area(raised)filled with gravel to pich your tents nice and level and dry. There were real restrooms each with a shower. Of course the restrooms/shower all smelled of hiker scank but nonetheless, it was nice.Bandit and I climbed back to the vista, but first we visited with the other college boy. Squirrel nut and Mufasha were also here!!! They'd gotten a ride forward to the dam so they could get into the Smokies on time. Word on the trail was that Colordo and Dramadary had already gone into the park that morning. Back at the vista, a wonderful older couple asked me a million questions about hiking and then let me use their Verizon phone to call for a ride!! Yipeee!!! My ride was coming, time unknown, but that didn't matter. We had business to take care of down at the dam. I had to walk to the exact same spot Fat Grandma and I had departed from in 2009. So, down, down, down to the dam we went. It was a really wonderful feeling to finally step onto the dam and call this section complete!!! Officailly 173.1 Miles!!!We sat on the grass waiting for our ride after checking out the empty parking lots and visitors center. I stared up at Mollies Ridge and Clingman's Dome with awe that I'd actually gone all the way up there before.Nancy from the Hike Inn showed up just before dark. We had a nice ride back to Hike Inn. She said she was surprised how good a shape Bandit was still in and we talked at length about rescuing dogs which she does also.It was strange to get into a vehicle and actually drive myself. But we headed for Bryson, NC and the first McDonalds we could find. The it was off to Cherokee, NC and the Microtel Hotel we'd stayed at during our hike through the Smokies. They took dogs there, it was getting late and I didn't need any dog hassles tonight!!!