Hiawasse to the NOC featuring Franklin, NC

After getting cleaned up at the hostel it was time to get moving again.  It didn’t take long to hit the first of two early milestones.  I said goodbye to Georgia and crossed into my second state, North Carolina.

It felt great to hit my first state line.  I know it’s only 80 miles, but hey, progress is progress.  

Remember what I said about the weather being nice?  Yeah, that went away quick.  A system came through and the temperature started dropping.  Lows in the 30s, highs in the 60s, and mostly wet.  That being said, there were moments where the mountains would work their weather magic in our favor and reward us with views like this:

Standing Indian Mountain is beautiful.  It was the first climb above 5000′, and has been one of my favorite spots I’ve hiked.

The next day on Albert Mountain we were greeted with high winds and, believe it, snow! Albert was also the second of two milestones, my first 100 trail miles.

The next town stop was Franklin, NC.  I didn’t know it, but I was about to experience, hands down, the best trail town on the AT.

We were picked up at the trailhead by Howard, the town’s shuttle driver.  Franklin provides a shuttle service for anyone in town, including hikers, anywhere they need to go.  Not only did Howard get us to where we were staying for the night, he gave us a full tour of town on the way!  

While in towns, I like to visit the local outfitter.  In Franklin, that’s Outdoor 76.  Turns out Outdoor 76, an excellent outfitter as it is, has a small pub in the back as well.  The catch is that you have to be a member to go in.  The often inquisitive through hiker that I am, I asked about it, and the guys there gave me a membership!  

A well earned beer was exactly what I needed.  Hell, after 100 miles I think I deserved at least one.  That’s where I met Jim.  Being local to the region, Jim was well versed in the goings on and history of the Franklin area.  He introduced me to some of the locals there, and insisted that I have dinner with him and his family!

I was truly blown away by the amazing hospitality.  The hike itself is often the focus of this adventure.  But, the people and towns along the way are such a huge part of the experience.  People like Howard, the guys at Outdoor 76, and Jim made Franklin, NC an amazing stop.  Thanks to all of you.

But I couldn’t stay, and had to push on.  Siler and Wayah Balds provided more amazing views, and I started getting a closer view of my next section, The Great Smoky Mountains.

A long downhill hike took me into the Nantahala River valley and the adventure center located there, the NOC.  It’s a great place on the river, and the AT passes straight through the property.  After dinner and a shower, I relaxed on the riverbank.  Looking foward to the next part of the trail, Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

SFSSF:

Total Miles: 146.1

Mi/Day: 12.2

Highest Elevation: 5607′ (Siler Bald)

Mountains: So many

Pop Tart Count: 10

On Tuesday, April 26 at 11:18am I became hiker #1679 of the class of 2016 to start hiking northbound on the Appalachian Trail.

Well, kind of. You see, there are two ways to get to the top if Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the AT.  You can hike the approach trail to the top, or you can drive and get a drop off near the top. I’m not a wuss, so I took the approach trail.  It follows a beautiful waterfall and the views were much better on foot.

 

Here is the official start

We couldn’t have asked for better weather the first three days. Clear, 70s during the day, 50s at night and no rain.  Lots of climbing.  The trail through Georgia is full of mountains.  Here are a few more sights

After a big climb over Blood Mountain our reward was the outpost at Neel Gap.  Lunch, resupply, a much needed shower, laundry, a nap, all of these would be ours!  Right??

Wrong!  Unfortunately for us the well was dried out…no water.  That meant no laundry, no showers, and a one way ticket to stankonia.  Resupply was available , which was good, but I’d have to suck it up and avoid smelling myself for three more days until Hiawassee.

The next day out of Neel Gap, the rain showed up.  I actually enjoyed hiking in a bit of rain.  Luckily, the worst of the storm came through during the night while I was tented up in the hiker house.  

The next two days into Dick’s Creek Gap (Hiawassee), were nice walks with some clearer weather.  At the gap I received my first trail magic!  A group from a nearby church had set up a table with bananas, cookies, and other treats.

I decided to stay at the wonderful Top of Georgia Hostel, not far from the gap. After seven days of hiking…Best. Shower. Ever. I took my shoes off, did some laundry, and took it easy the rest of the day.  So fresh, so clean.  

Some fun stats so far:

Miles: 78.4*

Miles/Day: 11.2

Highest Elevation: 4457′ (Blood Mtn)

Mountains Climbed: 17

Pop Tarts Eaten: 6

*I’m including the mileage from the approach trail.

I’ll leave you with the view from the porch of the hostel. Next stop Franklin, NC!