Catch My Fall

 Tellico Gap, NC to Stecoah Gap, NC

AT miles hiked - 150.6

AT miles to go - 2,042.4

Friday, September 25th, I took a planned zero day.  The weather forecast called for rain off and on all day, so it turned out to be a good day for a zero.  After breakfast, I actually drove back home so I could pick up my colder weather down mummy bag.  It looks like the nighttime temps will be getting past the rating of my down quilt, especially in the Smokies, and I want to stay warm.  I had also purchased a pair of down "socks" or booties from a small gear company in Gainesville, GA which just happened to be right on my route home.  Hopefully, now I won't have to worry about cold feet at night.  I had lunch with Marci, did some grocery shopping, took the dogs for a walk and then headed back to the hostel in Franklin, NC.

Saturday morning, Sunsets drove me back to Tellico Gap and I was, again, headed northbound about 8:40.  As always, since the trailheads seem to be in gaps, the first mile plus was a climb - this time to Wesser Bald and the lookout tower located on the summit.  It was not a bad climb and, although it was quite cloudy and overcast, there was still a beautiful view to be had.  The rest of the hike was mostly down hill, several thousand feet of elevation, to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and the bridge crossing the Nantahala river.  I arrived there just after 1:00 pm.  Since it was the weekend, the place was pretty busy and crowded with people.  I ordered a sandwich from the River's End restaurant and was waiting for my order when Sunsets arrived to shuttle me back to the hostel.  Dinner for the evening was some delicious Mexican food from the Mi Casa restaurant in Franklin.

Panoramic view from Wesser Bald lookout tower.

On top of Wesser Bald lookout tower.

Descending into the "land of the midday sun."

Fall colors appearing.

Crossing the bridge over the Nantahala River.

Sunday was another zero day so I could relocate my "base" to "Hawk's Hiker Haven" in Stecoah.  I left Chica & Sunsets mid-morning and drove to Stecoah where I got settled into my next hostel.  It's a small, one room cabin with a set of bunk beds, a futon, shower, toilet, sink, microwave, toaster and small fridge.  Not much in the way of luxuries, but just what a hiker needs to be comfortable.

Saying goodbye to Chica & Sunsets.

Hawk's Hiker Haven, Stecoah, NC.

My base for the next section.

Monday morning, September 28th, Craig, the owner of the hostel, shuttled me to the Stecoah Gap trailhead.  I had chosen to do this next section SOBO from Stecoah Gap, up over Cheoah Bald and down to the NOC so as to avoid the long, long, long climb out of the Nantahala River gorge.  It was still almost a six mile climb to the summit of Cheoah Bald.  I had planned to do this section of just under 14 miles as an overnight, staying in the Sassafras Gap shelter.  However, I was feeling strong during the climb, and with the forecast calling for rain later in the day and overnight, I decided I was going to do the whole section in one day.  After summiting Cheoah, I had a short break to eat a late lunch and then headed down.  Just short of the shelter, I had my first fall.  In the blink of an eye, I stepped on something wrong, rolled my right ankle, and landed on my hands and left knee.  My first thought was, "Maybe I'll be staying in the shelter tonight after all!"  But I was able to shake it off and after a few moments of pain and annoyance I was headed SOBO again.  At the side trail to the shelter, I tied my shoe tighter and downed a few vitamin-I (ibuprofen).  From the shelter, it was almost eight miles of steep down hill.  I arrived at the NOC for the second time about 6:15 pm, grabbed two cokes and a microwave biscuit sandwich from the General Store and waited for Craig to pick me up.  Total mileage for the day was 13.81 and I was glad to be in a cozy bed for the night.

My first sighting of a red Eastern Newt.

On the summit of Cheoah Bald.

Looking down into the Nantahala River gorge from the "Jump Up."

It rained all night and Tuesday turned out to be the perfect day to take another zero.  It rained heavily during the morning and off and on all day.  I drove home to do laundry and have lunch with Marci and was back at the hostel about 6:30 pm.

"Catch My Fall" - Billy Idol