A rainy and foggy 27-hour out-and-back hike
Despite the weather forecast calling for a 70% chance of rain throughout most of this hike in the wake of tropical storms, we decided to forge ahead after remembering the beautiful weekends that we did not hike because of a less than ideal forecast.
When we arrived at the trailhead I realized that I had entered the incorrect coordinates into my car GPS, which ultimately started us at Tellico Gap - a point midway on the course very close to (but not at) the planned turnaround point. Determined to adapt after driving a 2.5-hour route that included considerable mountain roads, I simply reversed the backpacking course and started heading South instead.
Fortunately this improvisation worked, and we hit the trail at 10:15 on Thursday morning. Food consisted of five sandwich bags of a chili-pasta mix. No snacks.
As with all backpacking trips the dogs are full of energy at the start.
The parking area high up in the clouds at Tellico Gap. One of the most notable features of this area is the big transmission line.
From the trailhead we steeply ascend. Visibility was limited throughout the entire hike since we were in a cloud the entire time. Rain was frequent, and seemingly relentless.
A couple of miles into the hike there was a short side trail leading to the top of a scenic mountain. This shot from the top shows a small glimpse of a distant mountain between the clouds. I ate lunch here. On the map below this is marked "Thursday Lunch."
Burningtown Gap parking area. There were no vehicles either time I passed this area. Around this point my boots were completely soaked, and there was no way they would be able to dry in these conditions.
Dense fog.
We passed two shelters and several water streams. Mid-afternoon at the second shelter we met Chris and Cindy (whose trail names are Slow and Steady), two Northbound hikers from Atlanta who decided to stay at the shelter due to the heavy rain predicted in the forecast. We talked for half an hour. They offered to share the shelter with the dogs and me, but I ultimately decided to continue hiking 7.5 miles to the next shelter despite forecast.
Just as advised, the rain resumed shortly after I departed the shelter.
Wayha Bald observation tower - approximately half a mile past the shelter. I tried calling my ham radio buddy David, KN4ZKT, on the W4WCR 70-cm repeater on Rabun Bald. David heard me call him, but the signal was too weak to hold a conversation. This was the only communication I was able to make with David during the trip. Disappointing, but not unexpected.
An hour or so after Wayha Bald it became apparent that it was going to be difficult to hike 7.5 miles to the next shelter where I was hoping to spend the night. According to this sign we had only covered 1.6 miles past Wayha Bald, so I ate dinner at a campsite along the way and reluctantly turned around earlier than anticipated to head back toward the previous shelter. While camping in the rain, fog, and wet ground might have been possible, we wanted to stay in a shelter at all costs.
Visibility was an estimated 200 feet. I thought it would be clever to set up camp at the Wayha Bald observation tower, but after experiencing the heavy wind on the upper level and dirty standing water on the lower level, we decided to continue walking to the shelter where we met Chris and Cindy earlier.
Upon arrival there was an additional group of four hikers, which necessitated that I sleep on the ground. Setting up my tent on the dirt ground inside the shelter offered some privacy, but between the dogs, me, and the dirt. the tent became very dirty. At this point I was just glad to rest, though my quality of sleep was poor that night. I rarely experience quality sleep in the woods.
Group photo the following morning. My camera lens was dirty, but this was the best I could do given the conditions.
The shelter the following morning.
Cold Springs Gap on Friday morning after I had been hiking for a couple of hours. I was glad to see this sign because I knew that it was only 3.4 miles to the car, and at this point I was more than ready to take off my wet boots and clothes.
We reached the car at 1:00pm on Friday.
