It was less than 6 miles, but this was one of my most memorable recent hikes. I'd hiked the AT from Tellico Gap to NOC before, so I was really looking forward to seeing new sights on this blue blaze option during SoRuck.

The morning started off fairly cold with a temp around 12 or 13 degrees. But no fear, all was well on Ron Haven's Shuttle Bus.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/007.jpg

It was an enjoyable ride with Ron as the ultimate tour guide, giving us directions I couldn't hope to keep up with as intimately as if he made this shuttle every day.

We stepped off from Tellico Gap around 9:30. Hooch and I hung out with each other exchanging war stories. As we crested the final rise to Wesser Bald, Hooch struck the pose begging the question "Why exactly am I out here again?"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/010.jpg

The firetower offered fantastic views.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/012.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/014.jpg

As usual, when every other peak in the southern Appalachians offered perfect views, Clingman's Dome was socked in by a layer of clouds.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/013.jpg

The walk down to the shelter was mellow. While most of the other hikers headed off down the AT, Hooch and I hung around checking out the shelter, and enjoying a couple of minutes of open sunlight.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/015.jpg

As it turned out, only two other hikers took the Wesser Creek blue-blaze, and for a while, Hooch and I thought we were the only hikers to head down that trail.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/017.jpg

The payoff was almost immeidiate. Wesser Creek was a frozen path featuring endless frozen cascades.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/019.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/020.jpg

We continued downhill, passing one gorgeous set of falls...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/022.jpg

after another.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/023.jpg

I had fun trying to photograph the bits of moving water amidst the frozen cascades.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/025.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/bearpawat99/SoRuck%2009/027.jpg

About 12:45, we hit the trailhead. The four of us that took the Wesser Creek Trail decided to continue walking the gravel road to stay warm. In less than 10 minutes, that happy yellow bus headed up the gravel road for us. We were welcomed aboard by a number of stowaways from the Ruck and I enjoyed the ride back to NOC. Saturday of SoRuck was off to a great start.

one of my favorite little blue-blaze trails in the south. so much nicer that the AT to wesser.

That looks like a good time. Like the bare ground! Good mtn pics, thanks.

I'm bummin' I missed Ruck.... :)