Storm
01-09-2010, 01:58
Just returned home from Saphire Valley, N.C.
Along with "Footsore" we managed to get in three short day hikes. Two were on the Panthertown valley trail. A very easy five mile loop that didn't work out to be a loop because of high water in the one stream we needed to cross. Had a very nice hike to "School House" falls none the less.
Our other hike was southbound from Fontana Dam. Do to time constraints we only hiked about three miles out and then returned. The climb out of the valley at least gave us some insight into what it takes to hike uphill with a pack. This was the first hike on the AT for either of us and we totally enjoyed it. Making plans for a longer hike sometime next summer but probably won't get back to the AT for that trip. Bye the way, the road across the dam is closed but it is still open to foot traffic.
Also took a drive up to Hot Springs and stopped in at Bluff Mountain. Very nice folks there. Met a thru hiker called "Sunrise" when I stopped for coffee. Seems she liked Hot Springs when she did her hike and moved there.
Would have liked to do a day hike at Newfound Gap but the road was closed due to ice and snow.
At least we learned a little on the trip. I found out that even though I'm in pretty good shape for my age I'm nowhere close to being in shape for a thru hike. Have two years to take care of that. Learned that trekking poles are a good thing, alcohol stoves are neat, maps are a good idea, downhill is not as easy as it sounds, folks at the "Hike Inn" are very nice, and I want to do it some more.
Along with "Footsore" we managed to get in three short day hikes. Two were on the Panthertown valley trail. A very easy five mile loop that didn't work out to be a loop because of high water in the one stream we needed to cross. Had a very nice hike to "School House" falls none the less.
Our other hike was southbound from Fontana Dam. Do to time constraints we only hiked about three miles out and then returned. The climb out of the valley at least gave us some insight into what it takes to hike uphill with a pack. This was the first hike on the AT for either of us and we totally enjoyed it. Making plans for a longer hike sometime next summer but probably won't get back to the AT for that trip. Bye the way, the road across the dam is closed but it is still open to foot traffic.
Also took a drive up to Hot Springs and stopped in at Bluff Mountain. Very nice folks there. Met a thru hiker called "Sunrise" when I stopped for coffee. Seems she liked Hot Springs when she did her hike and moved there.
Would have liked to do a day hike at Newfound Gap but the road was closed due to ice and snow.
At least we learned a little on the trip. I found out that even though I'm in pretty good shape for my age I'm nowhere close to being in shape for a thru hike. Have two years to take care of that. Learned that trekking poles are a good thing, alcohol stoves are neat, maps are a good idea, downhill is not as easy as it sounds, folks at the "Hike Inn" are very nice, and I want to do it some more.