I hustled up Kephart to the Shelter and there spoke with other hikers out enjoying the day. Then I headed up Grassy Branch. I climbed from Kephart Shelter towards Dry Sluice Gap. I liked Grassy Branch. I took some pictures as I made my way up. It wasn’t terribly steep. The grade was very manageable. I took pictures but pictures are only reminders of the experience. One can’t truly capture what one is seeing or experiencing. Your eyes see so much more, the contrasts and depth of color and subtle nature of texture. How can you capture the sound of the wind, the smell of the forest, the pounding of your heart, or the sweat running down your spine from the climb?
The satisfaction of personally beholding the unique features of every trail and the recognition of commonalities that speak of the ecosystem you are adventuring through are true delights for a dedicated hiker. The same trail has a personality that changes with the season, or even the time of day. Nothing is static in nature. Each walk is a brand new adventure. When I got to the intersection with Dry Sluice Gap I found a comfortable place to pause and snack.
I lingered and explored the area a little then loaded up my backpack and headed out. A little ways up the trail I heard other hikers headed my way and I realized I had walked off without my beloved iron wood walking stick. I turned around and raced back down the trail to find it leaning against the tree where I placed it when I took off my pack to rest and eat. Argh!!! This is the second time I have done this. That walking stick has been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. It has been high in the Rocky Mountains to see glaciers in Montana. It has been to the Bad Lands. That walking stick and I have been places together. Don’t ask me why I seem determined to lose it in the Smokies. I collected it and retraced my steps then forged my way on up to the AT.
There is something almost magical about the Appalachian Trail. When I made that left turn and saw the familiar white blaze I couldn’t help but smile. I headed towards Charlie’s Bunion. As I walked I came to this open grassy area with astonishing views. It was breathtakingly sweet. As I made my way forward I started encountering more hikers. I met one couple who asked me if they were on their way to Newfound Gap road and I told them nope, they were headed towards Smokemont. They turned around and we all headed towards the Bunion. There were so many people at Charlie’s Bunion you couldn’t see the rock formation for the human bodies covering it. The view is spectacular and the weather was perfect. I got a nice lady to take my picture there and then I pressed on. I had thought to take a break there but there were just too many people. I went on following the AT back towards Newfound Gap. I was heading to Sweet Heifer where I planned to descend to Kephart once again. I crossed paths with the couple I ‘rescued’ a few more times as we seemed to alternate taking breaks. I passed them, then they passed me. I stopped at Icewater Shelter, there is a privy there. I like shelters with a privy.
As the day progresses and you tire physically it can sometimes seem to take forever to reach a landmark whether it is a land feature or a trail intersection. I like the signs that mark the trails inside the park. There is no second guessing where you are when you find your sign. I felt great too. I felt strong and full of energy. I felt no pain or discomfort. By the time I got to Sweet Heifer it was 3:30. I was high up so I turned on my cell phone and had enough signal to text my beloved with my progress. I went down Sweet Heifer and sat on a Grassy bank and snacked in the deliciously warm sun. The breeze was cool at altitude with a bit of that fall nip in the air. There were shadowy places I came to in my descent where it was significantly cooler. If I had not been moving I would have needed a hoodie.
It seemed to take forever to get back to Kephart Shelter. I was starting to feel the miles as the shadows became longer and deeper. My knees were starting to complain in that way only abused joints can. My feet joined on. I could almost hear them whining in that little kid voice that drives every traveling parent to distraction…are we there yet? I persevered, taking fewer pictures as I closed in on that one foot in front of the other zone.
At the Shelter I met a different group getting ready to set up camp overnight. I chatted with them as I rested and snacked. I was chasing the waning daylight now. I left the house in darkness and I would be returning that way.
I made my way back down Kephart as the light faded towards twilight feeling pretty good about my day. Until next time Hike On my friends!
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 