Appalachian Trail Hiking Blog

 Our last official hiking day in the Smokey’s🥲. We hiked the AT as it crosses the Fontana Dam in NC, and hits the gateway of the Smokey Mountains National Forest.  This segment was so beautiful, and the hike was peaceful.  Heading back to Wisco tomorrow.  We enjoyed dinner and a cocktail at the Wildwood Restaurant at the Fontana Village, and were serenaded by an awesome bluegrass band called “Coddle Creek Band.”  A relaxing way to end a great trip!

 Today we left the NOC and headed north to the Fontana Dam.  This area is where you can see TN, NC and GA Mtns. From the same place.  The AT crosses the dam, then heads into the southern door of the Smokey Mtn. National Forest.  Spending tonight at Fontana Village…a little afternoon pool time and sightseeing around the grounds.

 Lots of rain overnight, glad to be on an elevated tent site so we stayed dry.  Got on trail early and hiked 5.5 miles on the Bartram Trail.  We got back to camp and I hiked down to the end of the Nantahala River where it dumps into Fontana Lake.  We did a 3 hour whitewater rafting trip in the afternoon…kinda scary but so darn fun!  Water temp was only 50 degrees.  Finished the day with a fire…still cousins, still love each other, still retired.

 Left Franklin, NC and headed toward Nantahala Outdoor Center.   We did the steep climb up to Wayah Bald lookout tower, located on the AT one mile above Franklin.  The views were amazing, we were above the clouds at 5,500 ft.  You can see GA, TN, NC and SC from the top.   The drive into this place followed the Nantahala Gorge, and the views of the gorge and river were breathtaking.  We rented an elevated tent site for a couple nights, will do day hikes while we’re here.  Both the AT and the Bartram trail run through this area.  The great Rocky Mtn railroad passed near our tent site as well!  Even though Kelly beat me in 4 games of kings corner card game tonight, we’re still cousins, still love each other and still retired😁

 We spent today in Franklin, NC area again.  We did the 6 mile Greenway hike along the Tennessee River today, it was beautiful and the temps. seemed cooler today.  Kelly is feeling better, and we spent the late afternoon shopping at the local shops.  We head out early tomorrow for the Nantahala Nature Center in northwestern NC, really looking forward to this area!

 Today was a zero day, so off trail in Franklin, NC.  We did the waterfall loop around Cullasaja River Gorge and saw so many beautiful waterfalls and overlooks.  We ended the day meeting up with two of our “Tramily” from last year’s AT hike for dinner in Franklin.  They are both from NC, and it was so great to catch up.  One of them, Stacey (next to me in the photo) has been hiking the AT southbound, for the past 5-6 mo.  Kelly is feeling better today….still cousins…still love each other.

 Went back on trail at Dicks Gap on day 5, still hot as hell and humid here in GA.  Hiked 9 miles to our campsite, beautiful quiet spot. Day 6, 8/26, woke up early to beat the heat.  Change of plans, as the heat and altitude were really affecting my cousin Kelly.  Our shuttle guy picked Kelly up off trail at 3.5 miles, she then got our car and picked me up at mile 10.5.  I was feeling good, so did a 7 mile solo hike….it was so peaceful and glorious.  Passed a lot of solo hikers on this section of the trail. The AT is a very rugged but beautiful place to be.  Spending tonight and tomorrow night in Franklin, NC before heading north to the Natahala, NC Nature area. Still cousins, still love each other.

 No service yesterday.  Hiked 11, then off trail to a bed.  Spending today in the village of Hiawassee, GA, then back on trail early tomorrow until Mon. Am.  Hot here, but hotter in Wisco.  Loving the hike and nature!

 Beautiful but grueling first day hike.  Very hot and lots of climbing.   Made camp 2 miles early due to the heat.  Laying in our screened tent now, listening to the wonderful night sounds of nature.  Didn’t see another person on trail today….it was glorious!