Saturday: I am in Tennessee for my friend Colin Blair's wedding. While here I have been able to do some trail running on the Appalatian Trail and have explored some of the highest peaks in the Appalatian Mountains. Today is the wedding day and this morning we went to Poga Falls for some sight seeing. Some locals showed us just how fun this waterfall could be. We all ended up taking the plunge (including the groom). I've never been off a waterslide like this one before...yes, this is me in the photo.
Sunday morning: Now I'm on my way to the airport -- back to Seattle and to Senior High Camp tomorrow. Heidi and I are both doing workshops. I'll have plenty of time to review my notes on the long flight home. I'm at a coffee shop in Boone N.C. for a quick stop before going to Charlotte.
Here is a report on the trail run:
A friend’s wedding took me east for a few days this week. The ceremony was located at Sugar Hollow Retreat, in Tennessee, only a few miles from the Appalatian Trail. I’ve never been on the trail before so I looked forward to this new experience.
After flying into Charlotte I drove through Blowing Rock and Boone on my way to Carver’s Gap where the famous trail crosses the road at 5512 feet. I had seen this area featured in some articles and was eager to explore these grassy “bald” peaks.
Day One
I began getting my bearings by taking the trail south from Carvers Gap over Roan Mtn (6285 ft.) on my way to Little Rock Knob. This section of the trail was steep, rocky, and rarely offered views due to the dense tree cover. The better hiking is to the north of Carvers Gap, something I was saving for the next day. I didn’t see a single person on the trail to the south. Some notable sights included an immense rhododendron garden, numerous butterflies that filled the sunny meadows as well as some ruins of an old fireplace and the Cloudland Hotel.
I did this as an “out and back” trail run and then drove eight miles to Roan State Park where I camped for the night.
Day Two.
I arrived at Carvers Gap at 6:30 a.m. with the intent of trail running north for 2 hours. I figured I would see how far I could get. If you hike 5 miles north, you will go over five summits all over 5000 feet between Carvers Gap and ending with Hump Mtn.
I began climbing immediately and after going through some trees I arrived on the balds where I was rewarded to a great sunrise from Round Bald.
Shortly thereafter I passed by a pen full of Appalatian Goats. Their shepherd was tent camping close by. After snapping a couple photos I continued north another half mile where I located a geocache before the trail began a long descent.
During my run I passed two tents that were quiet – everyone was still asleep. I also saw over a half dozen white tail deer.
I emerged on top of Little Hump after two hours of running. Although I had hoped to make it to Hump Mtn., I knew that I had a long ways to go back and I turned around.
On the way back I stopped by the barn (Overmountain Shelter) which was still occupied by some sleeping hikers.
Time passed by quickly and more easily than I had feared and I was back at my car after exactly four hours.
After flying into Charlotte I drove through Blowing Rock and Boone on my way to Carver’s Gap where the famous trail crosses the road at 5512 feet. I had seen this area featured in some articles and was eager to explore these grassy “bald” peaks.
Day One
I began getting my bearings by taking the trail south from Carvers Gap over Roan Mtn (6285 ft.) on my way to Little Rock Knob. This section of the trail was steep, rocky, and rarely offered views due to the dense tree cover. The better hiking is to the north of Carvers Gap, something I was saving for the next day. I didn’t see a single person on the trail to the south. Some notable sights included an immense rhododendron garden, numerous butterflies that filled the sunny meadows as well as some ruins of an old fireplace and the Cloudland Hotel.
I did this as an “out and back” trail run and then drove eight miles to Roan State Park where I camped for the night.
Day Two.
I arrived at Carvers Gap at 6:30 a.m. with the intent of trail running north for 2 hours. I figured I would see how far I could get. If you hike 5 miles north, you will go over five summits all over 5000 feet between Carvers Gap and ending with Hump Mtn.
I began climbing immediately and after going through some trees I arrived on the balds where I was rewarded to a great sunrise from Round Bald.
Shortly thereafter I passed by a pen full of Appalatian Goats. Their shepherd was tent camping close by. After snapping a couple photos I continued north another half mile where I located a geocache before the trail began a long descent.
During my run I passed two tents that were quiet – everyone was still asleep. I also saw over a half dozen white tail deer.
I emerged on top of Little Hump after two hours of running. Although I had hoped to make it to Hump Mtn., I knew that I had a long ways to go back and I turned around.
On the way back I stopped by the barn (Overmountain Shelter) which was still occupied by some sleeping hikers.
Time passed by quickly and more easily than I had feared and I was back at my car after exactly four hours.
1 comment:
Thanks for the comment you left on my blog - very generous!
What a way to begin a wedding day - sliding down those spectacular falls. Wish I'd thought of that!!
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