Day 28-We’re Not Takin’ No Bypass!

April 15-7.3 miles AT mile marker 301.8 

Boy howdy, was it cold this morning! I started out hiking in almost every piece of clothing I had!

Yep, I was wearing my shirt, hoody, puffy, and rain jacket. On the bottom I had my pants and my rain pants (okay, I didn’t wear everything...I still had my sleep clothes).

I usually start out slow until I warm up, but that wasn’t doing it, so I took short fast steps. I think I looked like a robot going up the hill, but it worked. 

We caught up to Smiley, which is highly unusual. He’s usually out before us, and hikes really fast. Unfortunately, he pulled something in his back yesterday, and was in pain. He asked if I would pace him to keep him from going too fast. I told him I was pretty slow, but he said that’s what he needed. So, he stayed behind me the entire day. I stopped, he stopped. Sure Foot was ahead of me per our usual pace. Smiley and I talked and laughed a lot, which helped distract him from his back hurting, but I know he was having a hard time. 

We climbed for quite awhile, but it was worth it. Today was all about views. First was White Rock Cliff. 

Notice I still have my pack on. Note to self...drop the pack before going down a treacherous trail to a cliff!

Next up was Blackstack Cliffs. Smiley did some reconnaissance and said it was worth the side trip. This time I dropped my pack, but took my poles. Good plan. 

Had to climb down this, then back up it. 



Just kidding

Sure Foot doesn’t really like heights. 

As we continued on, we came to where there’s a choice. One can take the Jerry Miller Trail (aka the bad weather bypass) or stay on the AT and go up to Firescald Bald (listed in the AWOL Guide as “strenuous”). Of course it was a beautiful sunny day (still quite chilly though), so we took the strenuous route (and the official AT). It was most definitely strenuous, but it wasn’t really hard. I mean there were some spots where it was easier to throw the poles up, then climb up the rocks, but it was all doable (even with heavy packs and backaches). The reward was tremendous views!

The rocks to the left...that’s the trail. 

Smiley

Sure Foot

Looking down to the valley (maybe Tennessee?)

Way over there is a place called Jones Meadow. There’s a fire tower and cell towers. We could also see a car, so there’s a road too. We could have taken a side trail to Jones Meadow, but we decided not to. 

We passed Howard’s Rock. There was a plaque, and the story of how it came to be. 

Not long after, and before we started the climb down, Sure Foot came to the perfect lunch spot. It was sunny and warm out of the wind. It was the best lunch spot so far (even beating out  the one where I sat on a rock leaning against a tree)!

Note to self...don’t take a picture when you are chewing. 

The climb down was strenuous too. Again, there were spots where it was best to throw the poles down, and hang onto the rocks to climb down. 

Just before the bad weather alternate rejoined the trail, we passed the 300 mile mark. It was momentous for Smiley as he has hiked every mile. For us, not as much as we skipped the Smokies. Still, it was cool to pass it (we’ve done more like 200 miles).

300 mile marker. 

After completing Firescald Bald, we didn’t have much further to go to get to Jerry Cabin Shelter. Smiley is up in the shelter. It’s going to be another cold night. He built a fire in the fireplace, and plans to sleep on the ground in front of it. 

Looks warm, but not too comfy. 

I, on the other hand seem to like to pitch my tent as close to the trail as possible. 

Don’t have to walk far to get back on trail!

Actually, for once, there are several good flat campsites, except for one thing...they are all in the wind. And with the cold temps, we try to avoid the wind. Of course, as I write this, there is no wind at all. Oh well, I’m getting used to sleeping on a slope. 

Tomorrow we get to go to an open hostel! I called Laurel Hostel today, and the guy said he’s open. Hallelujah, showers and laundry!!! We have 9.7 miles to get there. It’s only .2 miles off trail. Smiley will hike with us again tomorrow, then try to get to a doctor (shuttle into Erwin). 

It was really a great day of hiking today (except for the freezing cold start), one of the best we’ve had!