5/21-26 2012 AT#16 NC Deep Gap to Fontanna Dam TN
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, 05-03-2020 at 17:58 (644 Views)
5/21-26 2012
AT#16 NC Deep Gap to Fontanna Dam TN
With Hal and 2 Mile
Monday May 21 Left Chesterfield 3am 7.5 hours to Knoxville 3.25 hours to Deep Gap On the trail by 3pm Deep Gap to Carter Gap Shelter 8.3 miles Hiked up to Standing Indian Shelter through Beech Gap to Carter Gap which was nice Shelter with a common breezeway eating area. It was an easy scenic trail. Tuesday May 22 Carter Gap Shelter to Camp North of Winding Stair Gap 16.1 miles A nice sunny day passing Big Spring Shelter and climbing up Mt Albert 5250'. Saw flame azaleas along the way. Wednesday May 23 Campsite other side of Winding Stairs Gap 15.6 miles Climbed up Wesser Bald metal fire tower and got great pics. Thursday May 24 Cold Spring Shelter 15 miles Hiked up to Wayah Bald and on past the shelter on hot sunny day. This was a hard day with a couple of outstanding viewing areas. Passed through a couple of fire and gravel roads. Friday May 25 We descended to Nantahala Outdoor Center where we ate an outrageous lunch and I got a beer. Then we killed ourselves climbing to Sassafras. We met the barefoot hiker with a priest counselor from California at a viewing area on Cheoah Mtn. Then we hiked up to Stecoah Gap and took a long break at 6pm deciding what to do! So we went on to Sassafras. Saturday May 26 Sassafras to Fontana Dam 17 miles. This was a day of gradual descending to Fontanna Dam albeit a hot day. Took a shower at the dam's showers which were disgusting and needed cleaning.
Hal quit hiking 12 miles short of finish so 2 Mile and Hal got a shuttle to the dam and waited for me.