Even though I just have 3.5 miles left of Virginia, it will work best for Lynn and I if I jump ahead a couple sections and work my way back to Damascus, VA. We had a little difficult weaving our way through the back roads of Tennessee, but we found our way to the trailhead at Watauga Dam Road. Lynn and Madison joined me for the beginning of my hike. We hiked up a steep hill where we got our first view of part of Watauga Lake.
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I told Lynn she was dressing too warm.
Within minutes she had removed a couple layers.
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We made our way down the hill and followed the road for a while until we reached Watauga Dam. I was expecting a cement dam. I was surprised to find this dam made out of rock, gravel, and dirt.
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Lynn and Madison returned taking the road all the way back. I continued across the dam.
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Watauga Lake
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The trail cut back into the woods where I found Watauga Lake Shelter.
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The trail then again nears Watauga Lake at times getting within just a few yards. There were lots of nice, little camping spots for thru hikers right near the water.
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Looks like there's a beach on the other side.
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More of the anti-slip screen across some bog bridging.
Next I reached Route 321 where I met Lynn. The beach that I had seen across the lake was also here. It was such a nice spot, we changed today's plan a little bit. We decided to drive around to where I had planned to end today's hike at Dennis Cove Road. I would then hike back to this beach. This way Lynn and Madison had a really nice spot to wait for me. So I started today hiking south and ended the day hiking north. Anybody confused yet???
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I started my second half of today's hike near Laurel Fork Hostel on Dennis Cove Road. I didn't see the hostel. It's actually a couple tenths of a mile up the road.
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I love wilderness areas.
My first objective here was to make a slight side trip to a place called 'Potato Top'.
I never did see a side trail for it. Oh well!
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Lots of beautiful flowers today
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I hope there aren't any rocks that decide to fall today.
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This was a cool bridge.
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Up some stone steps.
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More Pretty Flowers
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As pretty as Watauga Lake was, today's most scenic spot was Laurel Fork Falls.
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Believe it or not, that's the trail between the rock face and the river.
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Apparently there are some active beavers . . .
. . .or an out of control lumberjack.
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Rhododendrons
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Looking out from a break in the trees.
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I went across a couple more nice bridges.
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Why don't you give it a try!
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Next I had a big, late-in-the-day, very hot climb that rose almost 2,000 feet. On the way I met a thru hiker named Coyote. He says he has lost 30 pounds since he started. At that rate there won't be anything left of him by the time he reaches Katahdin.
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Up, up, up I went. I met 4 day hikers coming down.
"Does this mountain have a top?" I asked.
"Yes, we came up the other side," one said, "You've got a ways to go."
"Uggh!"
But I made it to the top. I then had a long but pretty walk down the otherside.
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I came out by the beach at Watauga Lake.
Lynn and Madison had a great time cooling off in the water. Lynn said she saw several thru hikers go for a quick dip. I was tempted to jump in but decided to get back to our motel in Mountain City where I took a cool shower. Two more days of hiking, a rest/travel day, and then my 50k race at Capon Valley.
