On Memorial Day, Monday May, 28, my friend Tammy and I rolled out to Shady Valley, Tennessee, to park on Highway 421, also known to motorcyclist enthusiasts as The Snake. Where the Appalachian Trail crosses 421 above Holston Lake, there is a nice large graveled parking area and next to where the trail descends out of the woods there is a picnic table.
We parked my Jeep there and took her Suburu back to the very nice graveled parking area where the AT crosses Highway 91. Our goal, to hike the 6.5 mile section of the AT from Cross Mountain on 91 to Low Gap on 421.
In the Tennessee-North Carolina Section of the Appalachian Trail Guide the trail description in general let us know we would be hiking Ridge lines over a short section of trail linking the higher ridges of the Iron Mountains and Holston Mountain.
We started northbound on Cross Mountain where a half mile of trail has been made wheel chair accessible through a hay field. On Saturday our hiking adventure started out in the rain. Today, the world was cloudy with the promise of rain later. Rain gear packed in our day packs we hiked through the well maintained fields following the worn track from white blazed fence post to white blazed fence post. We passed through a couple of gates and then we climbed over the fences using the convienent set up in place. There were rocks marked with the white blaze in the last open field where some cows were pastured before we entered the forest. Ā We dodged cow piles and the gentle beasts watched us pass without interest.
We entered the forest and marched into the verdant growth. The world was damp and vibrant green. The trail was well marked and not as muddy as I feared it would be. This was my second adventure on this particular slice of the AT. Back in April of 2014 my daughter in law Danielle and a few other friends made a day out of an in and out hike the length of this section. There were 5 of us and 2 canine companions. At that time it was the longest hike I had done at 13 miles.
I remember the views from April, 2014, now obscured by the canopy.Ā We could see South Holston Lake in the distance on that long ago day in April and the closer we got to 421 our hike was serenaded by the constant roar of Motorcycle engines as riders tested themselves along the Snake. That April day was a lovely, sunny spring day. Today, not so much.
We entered the damp woods under a heavy cloud cover knowing the forecast called for rain as the day progressed. The heavy growth of undergrowth and the spreading leaves of the deciduous trees was the extent of our views on this one way trek. As we began a more earnest ascent we came to a section of trail that has been rerouted since the last time I was here. We followed the neatly laid out path noting the old length of trail being slowly re-absorbed into the landscape as fauna overtook the footpath.
The rains finally started as we rounded a bend and looked down on the Double Springs Shelter, which was occupied by a couple of through hikers taking a break and filtering water. We stopped and joined them in the Shelter listening to the gentle patter of rain on the roof as we snacked. The lady, who looked very tired and discouraged with the conditions, told me in a soft, melancholy tone that they had actually seen the sun yesterday morning. I tried to imagine slogging through the last couple of weeks of constant rain, threat of rain, thunderstorms, and just general dampness. I was heading to the Jeep then home, they were heading towards Damascus a good 17 miles further on the trail. I tried to relate but I lacked the experience really. Someday…when the onerous duties of life become less overbearing I will hit the trails for extended adventures. I am lucky I have a regular smorgasbord of hiking opportunities that lend themselves to day hikes and overnight stays within mere hours driving in any direction I choose to go.
The rain began in earnest as we headed away from the Shelter. We came quickly to the Holston Mountain Trailhead then began our exit trek to 421. There were no views of the lake in the distance and there were no sounds of Motorcycles on the Snake on this rainy Memorial Day. We slogged along a green tunnel towards the road the rain falling steadily. I took my friend Tammyās advice and wore looser fitting rain gear and it worked like a dream.
We were passed by more through hikers as we hiked along. The couple from the Shelter passed us towards the end of our hike. We made our way to the Jeep feeling a sense of accomplishment with the day. It felt great to be back on the AT after a couple of years of focusing on the Smokies. So many trails, so little time!
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 