Day 3 - Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain onto Spence Field

Day 3 - Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain and Spence Field
Mileage: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,500 feet / 1,500 feet
 Stunning views through the trees overlooking a sea of cloud with lower peaks poking through like islands.
 Rain was forecast for the afternoon as we ascended both Rocky Top and and Thunderhead Mountain. Two significant ascents...,



...however, our packs were lightening as we ate our way through some fine meals and snacks
 Lichen, moss and ferns abounded.
Basswood foliage displayed some early Fall/Autumn colours
 We'd heard of the sweeping expansive views of the surrounding mountain ridges.
  It was cloudy and soggy but stunning nevertheless.
The views at the top were hugely dramatic
Also cloudy, it was not disappointing.
Views stretching altogether beyond!
 There's no such thing as bad weather...

















...just wrong clothing.
The rhododendron leaves glistened in the rain.
However, as beautiful as it was. The rain descended and Spence Field Shelter was welcomed.
Bit colder for the next two nights

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 4 - Spence Field to Mollies Ridge

Image
Day 4 Mileage:  6.1 miles Elevation Gain/Loss : 1,000 feet / 800 feet Today we get to spend another view-filled day in the high country along the Appalachian Trail.  Next we’ll cross over Big and Little Abrams Gap, Little Bald, and the Devil’s Tater Patch before getting to our next shelter at Mollies Ridge. Loads of sneaky views through the trees until we reached the balds for more open aspects.   After leaving our shelter we will soon hike over Russell Field...  ... another historic livestock grazing area in the early settler days.   Indian cucumber...  ...with an edible rhizome. Francisco reported that you can eat this edible lichen.  Tripe lichen. But it needs to be boiled first.  Tempting... ...but no thank you. More autumn colours appeared in the high country as the week went on. We crossed over Big and Little Abrams Gap, Little Bald, and the Devil’s Tater Patch. Kathy mistakenly...
Read more

Day 2 - Campsite 28 to the AT and Derrick Knob Shelter

Image
Day 2:  Sam's Gap on the Appalachian Trail and then Derrick Knob shelter Mileage:  6.1 miles Elevation Gain/Loss : 1,710 feet / 310 feet We set off for the Greenbrier Ridge Trail with an ascent to the Appalachian Trail, or AT as everyone hiker calls it.  The trail followed an old railroad graded bed part of the way, last used by the Little River Lumber Company to harvest hardwoods from the slopes. Tantalising glimpses through the trees as we ascended to the ridge. Galax grew abundantly. Often 'stolen' from the Parks to be exported illegally for foreign floral displays.  At last, the 'AT'... ...and Derrick Knob shelter. One hiker, told us that he'd never seen a bear in is 33 years of hiking. A useful clothes line for me to dry my tights. And a great fire for our first chilly night. We were squeezed in like sardines on a giant bunk bed, supposedly a maximum of 12.  However, lots of '...
Read more

Day 5 - Mollies Ridge to Campsite 92

Image
Mileage : 6.5 miles Elevation Gain/Loss : 1,450 feet / 1,250 feet Today we ended our nearly 16 mile section of the Appalachian Trail along the  Greg ory Bald Trail eventually dropping elevation for a final night of camping. Sunrise with clots of reddish pink cloud, a fine backdrop for a chilly morning. Backpacks and food hoisted off the ground overnight, ready for their morning descent. Prepping for the walk - blister management! All our water was filtered using local spring water. Giardia is the potential problem if you drink unfiltered or untreated creak water. Day 5, packs lighter and ready to head towards Gregory Bald. Sassafras leaves - shaped like a three-toed dinosaur. The paths along the AT were very clear. Other trails branching to both sides were less trodden and less distinct. The fall leaves appeared more frequently, creating a multicoloured lattice with a deep blue background sky. Stunning! This young tree is...
Read more