Dan and Rocky’s Big Adventure

  Day 20, April 22 NOC to Cheoah Bald This morning we went to the Outfitter and general store to pick up a few items and watch the kayakers.  The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) is known as a destination for white water sports and training. Today we climbed and climbed.  While it was far less technical than the last few days, we gained back all of the elevation we had lost dropping down to the NOC. Day 20 Trail Profile We stopped by Sassafras Gap Shelter where Rocky made a few more friends. Sassafras Gap Shelter The views from the top of Cheah Bald were fantastic.  There were a few tents pitched next to the trail.   As we passed by, a Belgian Malinois jumped on Rocky.  There was a minor scuffle but no harm done, and the dogs parted as friends.   Day 21-23 Teaser April 23-25 Cheoah to Fontana Dam and Onto the Smokies Note from Sally:  As I load this post on April 24th, Titanium and Rocky, along with Commando, hiked to Locust Cove Gap on Ap...

  Day 19, April 21 Wesser Bald to NOC I was awakened at 3:30 a.m.  It was raining so hard that it sounded like someone was beating on my tent.  At 8:00 it was still raining hard.  I was hoping to wait out the rain, but it became obvious that the rain wasn't stopping for a while.   I quickly tore down camp, rolling up my totally soaked tent and putting it in a stuff sack. Today's hike was mostly downhill.  The first 2 1/2 miles were a major wet root and rock scramble.  My legs were talking to me.  Rocky seemed unperturbed. At the elevations we've been hiking, spring was just starting to appear.  As we dropped in elevation, it became greener, and wildflowers began to appear. We were expecting the rain to continue all day and then turn to sleet.  The prospect of pitching my wet tent in freezing weather was not appealing at all.  Commando and I decided to split the cost of a small bunk room at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)....

  Day 18, April 20 Wayah Bald to Wesser Bald We woke up to a very dense fog.  The tent's rain fly was totally soaked.  It appeared to me that the sun was going to burn off the fog and allow the tent to dry.  Boy, was I wrong.  The sky opened up, and it began to rain hard.  I quickly threw on rain gear and tore down camp, stowing wet gear in my pack, and we hit the trail.  I swear the wet gear added another 5 pounds to my pack.  An hour later the sky cleared, and I was hiking in shorts and a t-shirt.   We passed by Wayah and Cold Spring Shelters today, both with very different architectures. Wayah Shelter Cold Spring Shelter Rocky at Rocky Bald At one point, it looked like it was snowing.  It was actually petals from Dogwood and other flowering trees being scattered by the wind. Trail Magic We dropped down to Tellico Gap at around 5:30 p.m. to find 2007 NOBO (northbound thru-hiker) Bytecode and Great Aunt Cindy waiting for us with BB...

Day 17, April 19 Rock Gap to Wayah Bald Good morning!  We started this day in the hotel room in Franklin, North Carolina, awaiting a shuttle back to the Rock Gap trailhead.  Rocky woke me up at 0530.  I hadn't looked outside until we got to the hotel lobby.  It was raining.  It was raining hard.  Rocky balked at going out, but I insisted.  After all, he did get me out of bed.   Three hours later, the sun was shining.  It was going to be a good day for hiking.  The shuttle driver picked us up at 10:30.  Before we realized it, the driver had dropped us off three miles farther down the road at the Winding Spiral Staircase trailhead.   The trail is appropriately named with most of our day spent climbing. The trail was extremely verdant with streams, waterfalls, and lush flora.   I always enjoy seeing plants that I haven't seen before. I have to say that whoever named the gaps and side trails had an interesting s...