Six-Moon Journey: Riding the wave of trail magic
March 21, 2015: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Woods Hole Shelter, 12.3 miles, 9:10a.m.to 6:00p.m.
It was a big day for trail magic! Caught the wave just right, it being the weekend and all.
First trail magic of the day was at Gooch Gap, just 1.5 miles into the day. Church group had a big setup with a healthy breakfast spread. Nice, but being pretty full, I opted for a cold beer for my second breakfast, compliments of a hiker trash party still camped nearby.
Sweaty ups and downs followed all the way out to Woody Gap. Lovely day with nice views thru he the treetops.
Woody Gap was jam-packed with weekend hiker cars. Found a cooler of Powerade on ice on the south side of the gap. Across the highway to the north, however, I found a bunch of 2014 thru-hikers camped just off the trail. They were cooking hot dogs and hamburgers and there were chips, cookies and cold sodas. And beer. George the host and his friendly group were mostly from Florida.
“Eat as much as you want,” came the call.
Can do folks, can do.
And I proceeded to chow down a dog and two burgers, chips and soda, and a fine can of PBR. Yeah! The other beer choice was also a favorite: Yuengling. Couldn’t go wrong, but dared not have two.
With only 4 miles in the can and a belly full of food I started off into the afternoon sun. More than 8 miles of tough climbing lay ahead. First it was up to Preachers Rock and nice views east, then further up to top of Big Cedar Mtn. 72F, brilliant sun, quite warm. Pathway was terrific, hiking fantastic.
Wound around and up and downs knobs and ridges all afternoon. Lost myself in the miles of solo walking. Passed few people. Loved the day, seventh heaven for this hiker.
Blood Mountain – at 4400 feet it’s the highest point on the AT in Georgia – looked a long way off to the northeast. Chugged away feeling great, rambling along, cruising on the easy stretches and roughing it up the steeps.
Drank lots of water to day, two liters from my hydration pack and much more from spring along the trail. Cold, clear water coming right out of the ground since the start of the trail as been awesome. Nectar from the gods, this tasty water from the earth. So good that I haven’t yet treated any. No need. But there will be ahead for sure.
Called it a day at Woods Hole Shelter, nearly a half-mile off the trail. Sits on a wooded knoll, a wild and lonely spot with views up to Blood Mountain. Ridge runner for NPS or GATC, forgot which, plus six other hikers are here. Just four of us in the shelter. Gonna be a good night and a quiet one. Very welcome.
Nearly 9pm now and time to head for bed. Orange glow in the southern sky is Metro Atlanta. Cool but not cold here at 3750 feet. Up to Blood Mountain and down to Neels Gap in the morning. First resupply awaits there, and Fran will be there as well for a final goodbye before she drives back to Maine.
The hike is going as well or better than could be expected. I’ll take it. AT trail living rocks.
