Stephanie's Trail Journal

Tuesday, May 11th

Beginning Point: Fontana Inn and Resort
Ending Point: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Daily mileage: 12.7 miles
Total Mileage: 174.1 miles
Weather: sunny and warm in AM turning to threatening showers in PM. Cold winds at the shelter which is located on a hilltop.

Today was another glorious day... We had breakfast at the inn, we were shuttled from the Inn to the visitors center where we dropped off our packs and then were dropped off where we originally left the trail to catch the shuttle in the first place. That was the nicest mile we had on the trail thus far (sans packs).

I should back up and let you know that yesterday we picked up another hiker into our little troop - Kevin, formerly from Key West - who goes by Kev-Dog. He, Dan, Stephan and I split a room at the Fontana Inn after an enormous dinner. I managed to out-eat the boys with a full rack of ribs, baked potato, carrots, salad and bread. A girl needs to eat to keep up with all these tall fellas.

Ginger and Mercury were staying there as well - so nice to see them again. Ginger keeps me in stitches.

At any rate, yesterday was a resupply day for everyone. We all need to carry enough food to get us through the Smokies so that adds another 10 pounds to your pack weight (less if you plan well). The extra weight really makes a huge difference, you wouldn't believe it. Everyone had something to say about it...

The original plan was to get mail, do laundry, take the free (and cold) shower at the Fontana Inn and grab dinner, and then head to the "fontana hilton" a.k.a. the shelter just before the dam for the night. However, after the filling dinner and lounging that followed and the extremely low hiker rate, we decided to stay there instead. Plus, they shuttle you around. Great folks there!

So, we got a late start today. We lollygagged at the visitors center, ate some gorp found in a hiker box, walked across the dam, and stumbled upon Trail Magic just after our entry into the park - Dr. Pepper, Hersheys chocolate, regular snack items found in brown paper bag lunches, and jello pudding. We had a small feast and managed to leave some for the next hiker. Thanks Trail Angels!

As good as it tasted, the next 2.5 miles were pretty steep and I thoguht I might be seeing that food a second time, but I managed to keep it all down and was surprised to find myself hungry in the next few hours.

Today was great for wildlife viewing - first we saw a huge fat american toad, then a baby toad. Then we saw 3 bear - mom and 2 cubs. We slowly backed up, but the cubs bolted from the tree they were in and mom stuck around long enough to make sure we weren't travelling in the same direction. Really, all I saw were 3 black blurs and heard lots of noise. We were lucky to see them because they don't often spend time on the ridge tops where the AT tends to travel. After that we saw a luna moth - they are so lovely. I picked it up to show everyone and it left lots of little hairs on my fingers.

We finally made it to shelter and were greeted by Goofy (formerly Pat), Shivers (formerly Chris), Bryan who is planning on producing a publication after the hike (see his webpage at www.atthruhiker.org), and Yogi from the last several shelters. There were 2 other fellas, Mac who plays saxaphone in Key West and the recorder while on the trail, and Wayne the ridgerunner. Bear activity must be pretty high in this area because he asked that we hang our packs with the food and all smelly items, on the bear cables. Goofy turns 21 tomorrow so Happy Birthday Pat!

Well, tomorrow might be a big mile day - I'd like to see sunrise from Clingmans Dome ad the nearest shelter to it is 18+ miles from here. Theres one thats 15.5 also, that might be a better option but we'll se what we can do. I'm so looking forward to Hot Springs - a bunch of us are planning a zero day there. I think its the first place along the trail that's not in a dry county, so we are all having visions of tall frosty mugs of adult beverages... "Mmmmm, Beer..." in the immortal words of Homer Simpson.

Goodnight,
Steph
www.hikingat.com

Posted by steph at May 17, 2004 09:21 PM