Six-Moon Journey: Out of Georgia and into North Carolina
March 27: Dicks Creek Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter, 11.5 miles, 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Good night’s rest. Had bottom bunk in smaller room this second night. Made a difference. Ate breakfast out of the hiker box, cherry & cheese danish and fruit cup. Coffee from kitchen in main building.
Hostel like an airport terminal, busy busy with hiker scattering all over North Georgia, back to this gap or that gap or to town via hostel shuttles. These folks do a great job here, the most polite and helpful people you could ask for. Bob Gabrielson, the owner, shuttled a group of us back up to Dicks Creek Gap.
Eight miles to the NC border at Bly Gap. Slow going in the initial up hills in the mist and rain. Picked up the pace a few miles in and then just couldn’t slow down. Cruised right by the side trail to Plumorchard Gap Shelter, my planned lunch stop. Felt so good, just kept moving. Ate a granola bar on the go and made for Bly Gap.
Passed the GA/NC line and chugged up to the gap proper, where the famous old gnarled oak tree sits. Camped right next to it in ’77. Cold and windy at first, then calm. Enjoyed lunch at the tree. Love this special place.
Steep steep climb out of the gap and up Courthouse Bald, then more grinding trail up to Sharp Top. Nice lookouts, lots of wild country all around here. Now in the Nantahala National Forest. Good hiking beyond, much of it on contours with only a few minor ups and downs. Nearing Muskrat Creek, spied sweet ridge top campsite just up from trail with westerly aspect for afternoon sun.
Continued the 100 yards to the shelter to check it out just for yucks. Got a less than warm greeting from its denizens. Some BS about it being full or whatever (AT shelters are NEVER full; there’s always room for one more. That’s the maxim). Fine by me, have your shelter. And your noise and all the many tents around. Today I just didn’t care to argue with idiots.
Back to the ridge I pitched camp on this awesome site. Warm sun but wind picked up. Temp began to drop sharply. Forecast predicted temps in the 20s. Skies threatening. Cooked supper, then soon pulled everything in the tent. Put tights on for extra warmth.
Holy moly, it began to snow around 8pm. Wild! In no time there was a half-inch around the tent. Crazy wind too. Read book till my fingers got too cold. Damn, it’s cold out! Tuned in micro-radio for a little news and music. Howling outside the tent walls as darkness descends.
