I have a long day ahead. After talking with thru hikers last night at the hostel, I had some concerns about this 28 mile day. They made it sound tough, but hiking in the White's nearly every weekend, I'm used to tough. Besides I've got to get ready for the Smokies where I will have two 30+ mile days. Lynn dropped me off at Iron Mountain Gap.
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The weather was overcast, but it would clear by the afternoon. The trail was quite runnable, so I ran for a while. I didn't take the side trail to see Clyde Smith Shelter. I'll see at least a couple of shelters before the day is over.
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I met a thru hiker named Pull-up. He does pull-ups in the shelters at night.
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I went up Little Rock Knob, but wasn't awarded a view on this overcast day. I then went down to Hughes Gap.
Today was one of those days where I would have one foot in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina.
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Next I had my biggest climb of the day as I headed up to Roan Mountain.
Most of the trail was smooth today, but I did have some nasty sections.
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Steps near the top of Roan Mountain.
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Near the top of Roan Mountain I went to investigate a historical marker.
This was the spot of the Cloudland Hotel.
When the hotel was here, there was a line running through the lobby, into the dining hall, and across the table to separate North Carolina and Tennessee. At the time, it was illegal to drink in one of the states (I forget which now). Rumor was that there was a sheriff on duty ready to nab anyone with a drink who crossed the state line.
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What's this old fireplace and chimney doing way up here?
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Time for a short side trip.
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Roan High Knob Shelter is the highest shelter on the Appalachian Trail, so I just had to stop at this one.
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I still wasn't quite at the top of this mountain. I wasn't about to come this far and not go to the top. I saw a group of rocks about 100 yards away that looked like the highest spot around.
I found a survey marker imbedded in one of the rocks, so I knew I reached the top. At 6285', this is the 2nd highest mountain I've climbed, just three feet shorter than Mount Washington. I know, I need to go out west where the 'real' mountains are.
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This nicely graded trail was a treat as I headed down the north side of Roan Mountain.
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After going through Carvers Gap, I began my ascent of Round Bald with more smooth trail.
By now the weather was perfect!!
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Looking back at Roan Mountain
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What a view!!!
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Up some more
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At the top
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Wait. That rock looks a little higher, I guess I'll go over there.
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Time to keep movin'.
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Summit of Jane Bald
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Here's a 360° video clip from the top of Jane Bald.
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A brand new trail relo that was put in just a few days ago.
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Stan Murray Shelter was quite crowded, so I just kept hikin'.
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Next I came to Yellow Mountain Gap. This gap was used by the 'Overmountain Men' to get to Kings Mountain to defeat the British during the Revolutionary War.
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I had a beautiful view as I headed up to Little Hump.
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Looking back
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Here's a 360° video clip from the 5459' summit of Little Hump Mountain.
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Now I'm off to Hump Mountain
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I dropped back down into the woods for a few minutes.
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There's Hump Mountain.
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Looking down into the valley
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View from the 5587' summit of Hump Mountain.
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Plaque near the summit
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Here's a 360° video clip from below the summit of Hump Mountain.
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The weather and scenery were so nice, I decided to take a twenty minute break.
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A look back at Hump Mountain
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The trail dropped down into the woods, but I still managed to get a couple nice views.
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Much of the trail was runnable today, but it had its tough sections too.
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Apple House Shelter
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I came out onto Route 19E. Lynn left the car there to save me the 1/3 of a mile walk to the hostel. During this entire two week trip, I consider this my best day!!
