Rufus Morgan Shelter (w/picture)

[timhines]

I couldn't let this shelter go any longer without having a proper picture.

I walked up there today, sat in the shelter and enjoyed watching the wind blow while being warm inside away from the wind.

I also hiked on up the trail and ran into a hunting dog on the way back. No collar. But it was friendly enough.

[FloridaHoosier]

Good picture of Shelter!

[Monkeyboy]

No privy and very little flat land for camping.

Good water source.

[Tenderheart]

This picture brings back memories of 2000 thru hike. Bamboo Bob watched our gear while New Jersey Slacker and I went into the NOC for burgers and Ben & Jerry's. We surprised Bob with a large Wesser burger and a pint of ice cream. My dog and I were through here around the first of October of this year. There is no sign and the shelter is so hidden that you may miss it. Thanks for the picture.

litefoot 2000

[Lyle]

This picture brings back memories of 2000 thru hike. Bamboo Bob watched our gear while New Jersey Slacker and I went into the NOC for burgers and Ben & Jerry's. We surprised Bob with a large Wesser burger and a pint of ice cream. My dog and I were through here around the first of October of this year. There is no sign and the shelter is so hidden that you may miss it. Thanks for the picture.

litefoot 2000

I agree, very easy to miss. There should be a sign.

[Berserker]

I had read that this shelter did not have any room for tenting. There is actually a considerable amount of room out in the "clearing" in front of the shelter that the AT goes through. It's not particularly flat and parts of it would be bad to be on in heavy rain, but the point is that there is room to tent.

One thing I don't understand is why there isn't a privy at this shelter. If ever one needed a privy this one would be it. The "toilet" (the hill behind the shelter) is a nasty mine field. My buddy found that out the hard way.

[Lone Wolf]

One thing I don't understand is why there isn't a privy at this shelter. If ever one needed a privy this one would be it. The "toilet" (the hill behind the shelter) is a nasty mine field. My buddy found that out the hard way.

agree. if the maintaining clubs are gonna build stinkin' shelters they oughta build stinkin' privies to go with them

[BlackCloud]

I missed it...where was it???

[Lyle]

I missed it...where was it???

About 3/4 mile or so south of NOC.

[Berserker]

I missed it...where was it???

It's above the last large "clearing" you walk through before getting to the NOC. The "clearing" is a large dirt/leaf covered area that slopes down to where the spring is located. There is a fire ring there. The shelter is maybe 100 yards up the side trail, and likely not visible from the AT when there are leaves on the trees.

[pjbarr]

it's more like a small stream rather than a spring.

[emerald]

I'd be far more interested in a good picture of Rufus Morgan and people learning something about the man for whom it was named.

We'd accomplish more by going there. Can anyone deliver the goods?

[pjbarr]

per chance, i spent the first night alone that i've ever slept in a shelter here - having always had others present at the shelter before, even when hiking alone. good thing - it's small. like i'm sure so many other shelters do, this one has a tin roof that sounds like being inside a metal drum and having it banged with a hammer when acorns fall from the trees. spooks you when it wakes you from mid-sleep

[pjbarr]

delivered:

http://www.dnet.net/jparker/StFrancis/RevMorgan.html

[emerald]

Beautiful! I only wish it would say more about his specific contributions to the Appalachian Trail, but maybe someone has more of that kind of information from another source.

[Bulldawg]

Beautiful! I only wish it would say more about his specific contributions to the Appalachian Trail, but maybe someone has more of that kind of information from another source.

I'd be willing to bet Ronnie Haven could tell us.

[pjbarr]

this from the Nantahala Hiking Club's website:

In 1940, A. Rufus Morgan, an Episcopal Minister, returned to his family's home place in Macon Co. The following year he took responsibility for 55 miles in the Nantahalas, doing brushing, blazing and small tree removal. For 27 years he was called "the one-man hiking club" as he did trail maintenance with friends and boy scouts. His church work included building the first chapel for the Cherokees, years of service to St. Cyprian's negro congregation, prison camps and youth summer camps. All this with the responsibility of at least 6 congregations within a 60 miles radius, many times walking to his churches. He was an Appalachian Trail Conservancy Board member for over 20 years and was given Honorary membership in 1964. Dr. Morgan's hiking was well known at Mt. LeConte where he climbed to the camp at the top over 160 times during his lifetime. He passed away in 1983.

[veteran]

I missed it...where was it???

[pjbarr]

FWIW, the A. in A. Rufus Morgan stands for Albert, a la Albert Mountain (lookout tower). Albert Siler (as in Siler Bald, named for Rufus's greatgrandfather, William Siler) was Rufus's grandfather and an early settler, a man known to be able to speak the Cherokee language and was sympathetic to Cherokee people, even deeding them land which legally allowed them to avoid forced removal (although this wasn't always upheld).

[AUhiker90]

Very cool shelter and not too far away from NOC if you dont like paying for a room while on the river for a day