Gatlinburg!!

Day: 14

Starting: NOC, 137.1

Ending: Sassafrass Gap Shelter, 144.0

Total: 6.9 miles

Happy Easter! Our day started with a hearty breakfast of biscuits and gravy and egg sandwiches at River Bend restaurant at the NOC. We then picked up a few items at the NOC General Store for a six day resupply. Unfortunately, they were all sold out of lunch items and the nearest store was about a mile away. This was my first opportunity to try to hitch a ride because as my good friend James always likes to say, "I'm lazy." So I started up the road and left Jessica behind to pack up what we're able to buy at NOC. With my thumb out and a smile on my face, I headed down the road with the hopes of getting a ride. Two cars passed by and didn't even bother to slow down, then a third and a fourth, all of which had only one person in the car. I was getting discouraged after a few more cars passed. Then an older gentleman in a pickup with a Navy license plate stopped to pick me up. The Navy plate made me laugh because the Navy is responsible for transporting Marines and now he was transporting me to the store. He was kind enough to wait while I shopped at the store and drove me back to the NOC. After packing everything up we went back to the River Bend restaurant and had lunch. Afterwards, we sat at the river's edge and soaked our feet and ankles in the frigid water, it felt great.

We finally pulled ourselves away from the NOC to starting hike around two. The first 8.1 miles from the NOC the trail climbs from 1,723 ft to 5,062 ft. Our plan was to do a short 6.9 miles today since we won't have another zero day until next weekend. Although it was a short day, it was rather difficult because of the heat and the constant climb of over 2,600 ft. We pulled into the shelter around 5:50, set up camp, had dinner and enjoyed some Easter candy trail magic.

Easter Trail Magic from the NOC

Climb out of the NOC.




Day: 15

Starting: Sassafras Gap Shelter, NC 144.0

Ending: Cable Gap Shelter, NC 159.2

Total: 15.2 miles

Started the day by finishing the last 1.2 miles of the climb out of NOC. We reached the summit at Cheoah Bald at 5,062 ft.

Panoramic from Cheoah Bald.

Benchmark at Cheoah.

After an arduous decent to 3,165 ft over in less than five miles we were greeted by trail magic!! The thoughtfulness and generosity of people is amazing along the trail. To quote Jessica as soon as she spotted it, "people are great!" It's true! I don't think I've ever smiled that big for simply bananas and apples.

Trail Magic!!

We then continued our hike to meet Jacob's Ladder 7.2 miles up the trail. As the name implies, the trail is nearly vertical, it was an absolute beast, you could have easily reached out in front of you and touched the ground. We stopped for lunch right past the summit at Brown Fork Gap Shelter where we met a young couple from Nashville. They're the first hikers we've met from Nashville, it was nice spending time with others talking about home. The day ended at Cable Gap Shelter where we were lucky enough to find flat ground to set the tent on. Flat ground at the shelters is a premium.

Day 16

Starting: Cable Gap Shelter  159.2

Ending: Birch Spring Gap 171.7

Total: 12.5 miles

Very wet day. It started raining as soon as we started packing up and didn't let up until we got to Birch Spring. On the way there, we stopped at the Fontana Dam visitors center which had a snack shop that was closed for remodeling. It was very upsetting because there were signs for ice cream and other snacks and we were both pretty hungry. Nevertheless, we were able to get a soda from the vending machine which turned out to be a nice treat with lunch. We were also lucky enough to have a dry covered pavilion with picnic tables to relax and eat lunch. Although it was cold and raining the setting was very nice alongside the Fontana Lake.

Fontana Lake, NC

Jessica referred to it as the Great Spooky Mountains since the visibility was around 20-30 ft sometimes less, it was very eery. Also, we didn't see another person on the trail the entire day, including the campsite at night. 

A couple miles into the park we stopped to take a drink and two bears went scurrying down the side of the hill right in front of us. It looked to be a mother and its cub. The rest of the day we were either whistling or talking so that we didn't sneak up on any other bears. As soon as we arrived at the campsite the clouds opened up and the sun started shining, it was the perfect ending to the day!


Day 17
Birch Spring Gap 171.7

Ending: Derrick Knob Shelter: 188.8

Total: 17.1 miles


Today was the most difficult day yet, both physically and mentally. Physically, because of the mileage and difficult terrain and we were both exhausted from the prior two days. The first half of the GSMNP is very difficult hiking. Mentally, it was difficult because we got to the shelter over an hour after we expected to arrive there. At one point I thought we had wandered off the AT onto a side trail because we didn't see any white blazes for some time. I swear the signs and the profile map we use were both wrong because our ETA was so off. But like I always say, "99% of the time, it's user error." We eventually made it into the shelter with our legs and feet hurting pretty badly. We were glad to have this day behind us.


Day 18
Starting: Derrick Knob Shelter: 188.8
Ending: Mt. Collins Shelter: 202.3
Total: 13.5 miles


It's all down hill from here!! Today we crossed over the highest point of the entire AT, Clingman's Dome at 6,643 ft. The pictures speak for themselves...

On the climb up to Clingman's Dome.

Selfie from the top!

Day 19
Starting: Mt. Collins Shelter: 202.3
Ending: Newfound Gap: 206.8
Total: 4.5 miles


I wish everyday could be like today! We had a nice, easy 4.5 mile downhill hike to Newfound Gap, where we were going to meet Jessica's parents and head to Gatlinburg. Because we were so excited to see the family and have the weekend off we ended up getting there much earlier than anticpated. Jessica's parents were also running a litte late because of the bad weather and traffic heading into Gatlinburg. While we were standing in the parking lot debating on what to do until Jessica's parents showed up, a nice older gentleman offered us a ride into town, we gladly accepted. He had just gotten back from doing a 3 day hike with his brother-in-law and was heading into town for lunch. On the way there, he kindly offered to buy our lunch, which again, we gladly accepted. It worked out perfectly, as soon as we were done eating Jessica's parents showed up at the restaurant. It was great to see them.



Newfound Gap

Day 20-21
Starting/Ending: Gatlinburg
Total: 0


We spent the weekend in Gatlingburg with Jessica's parents, brother, sister, their spouses and our niece and nephew. On Friday, we spent the afternoon with Jessica's parents and our niece, Abby. They went and rode the earthquake ride while I caught on some phone calls, including my boss Alec. It was great taking with him and getting caught up with work matters. That evening, Jessica's sister, brother-in-law and nephew arrived. We built a fire and roasted marshmallows and had a nice evening hanging out. Jessica's brother and sister-in-law arrived late into the night.


Saturday, I continued my ritual of visiting the local barber to get my haircut, but not my beard, while the family went to the aquarium. We all met up afterward and had lunch, rode the skylift and enjoyed the sights and people watching in Gatlinburg. We capped off the night grilling bbq chicken, enjoying the hot tub, playing corn hole and having smores. It was a great weekend and we were so happy to be able to spend time with them.

The only (semi) group picture we got all weekend! Eli is sleeping and we accidentally cut Kate and Abby out.

Riding the skylift

Abby in the front yard of the cabin

Eli enjoying brunch Sunday morning

Eli and Brandon playing in the water

We get back on the trail tomorrow morning. Our goal is to stay safe in the upcoming weather and to hit Hot Springs by Friday!

Happy Trails,

Z & G