Gatlinburg, TN to Hot Springs, NC

Gatlinburg, TN to Peck’s Corner Shelter

Back to the Trail

We got a ride out of Gatlinburg using a free shuttle that is operated by volunteers from the FBC of Sevierville.

Newfound Magic

We were dropped off at Newfound Gap and walked directly into Trail Magic. 

The same church that was running the shuttle was providing drinks and snacks to hikers. I found it amusing to watch the church shoo away the day hikers and visitors who kept trying to partake.

There was also a family who had come from Wisconsin to do Trail Magic with hikers passing through.

They were very friendly and introduced me to potato chip cookies. They had Sloppy Joes which were easily the best I have ever tasted. There was chili too, but I didn’t think I could hike if I tried it too. 

Invasion of the Day-Hikers

We were trying to figure out what was so special about the Gap as it was filled with tourists. The trail was flooded with the normies, as we began our ascent.

It was an interesting experience for me after weeks on the trail. We occasionally see day-hikers, but not en-masse like we saw this day.

What stood out to me the most was how much better shape I was in. I was passing healthy athletic people on my way up the mountain while I was carrying a 35-pound pack. This was a new experience for me!

Charlie’s Bunion

The day hikers were shuffling their way to Charlie’s Bunion. 

Once I arrived I climbed up on a rock and took in the views. There was a lady here who took my picture for me. 

The trail before the Bunion was big enough to drive a car on and packed with people. The trail after the Bunion looked like a game trail and was empty of people. 

Peck’s Corner Shelter

We arrived at the Shelter in the evening and camped with a handful of hikers. Pikachu, PMA(Positive Mental Attitude), and Goat. 

Peck’s Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter

This was a fairly uneventful day. I ran into Goat on the Trail and a hiker named Wineglass, who had bought some Ramen from me a few days prior. At the camp we were joined by PMA.

There was also a group of 3 that camped with us here. They were present at the Trail Magic and I have come to think of them as the Sloppy Joes. 

Cosby Knob Shelter to Standing Bear Farm

Freedom!

We got out of Smokey and returned to the normal world. I didn’t realize it, but the rules of the Smokeys felt stifling.

We had to camp at shelters and our days were decided by their distance. Out here, we were free to hike and camp as we pleased. 

Standing Bear Farm

Reunion

Firstly, we had a bit of a reunion here. Beth and Andrew were here. Beth had forgotten a pair of glasses at Siler’s Bald Shelter that I had been carrying and returned them to her. Goat and Wasabi Bobby were here as well. 

Worth the Stop

Before getting to Standing Bear I read the reviews on FarOut. They were a mixed bag that I summarized as: “It’s not great, but worth the stop.” I feel this is a great way to describe Standing Bear.

The resupply was plentiful, but mostly expired. There was a shower, but it would alternate between scalding hot and freezing cold every 30 seconds or so. 

The environment was laid back and pretty fun. Hiker groups seemed to pool here and hang out for days, I believe this is due to the hippie commune nature of the place.

The Night Before

We arrived the day after Easter and were told about the celebration they had the night prior. I believe they were less interested in resurrection and more interested in 4-20 however. 

They spoke of duck races and Easter egg hunts. The Easter eggs were filled with 420-themed ‘prizes’, and apparently, it was quite a wild night. People who skipped Standing Bear entirely have heard of the crazy night that was had there. 

New Faces

We met a handful of new hikers here. Poptart, Mountain Doctor, She-Ra, GatorBait, and Woodstock.

They are an entertaining crowd that has been fun to encounter on the trail. 

Standing Bear Farm to Groundhog Creek Shelter

Hiking

We set out with the promise of rain in the forecast and a large climb to start the day.

There were some interesting sights, and the rain held out until the late afternoon, so I managed to get to a shelter before it began. 

Camp

The Shelter began to fill up as the day went on. Slowpoke, Mountain Doctor, Poptart, Skank, Rocket, Chris from the Netherlands, Tank, Drifty, Compass, and Gustav from Germany arrived and camped with us. 

Everyone was talking, joking, cooking, and setting up camp when She-Ra and GatorBait arrived and started chatting with the group. The Safety Dance by Men Without Hats began to ring out through the trees. The music grew closer and closer and then Woodstock arrived pimp-walking his way down the trail. 

After some camaraderie, we called it a night.

Groundhog Creek Shelter to Mt. Walnut Campsite

Rain was promised on this day as well. I pushed on a little earlier than normal as I wanted to outpace the storm as much as possible. According to the weather, there would be a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Trail Magic

There was still time to stop and enjoy Trail Magic, which was being provided by Andrew and Jennifer from Franklin, TN!

They provided sandwiches made on sourdough bread that Jennifer baked that morning. Additionally, they had chips, drinks, and, hands down, the BEST peach cobbler I have ever tasted!

Max Patch and Mt. Walnut

The storm never came and there were several great views as I traveled over Max Patch.

I camped on Mt. Walnut where a Shelter was recently torn down. There was a bald near here that provided some great views. I hoped to catch the sunset, but the sun dipped below the clouds. 

Rocket and Peace camped at this site as well. 

Mt. Walnut Campsite to Hot Springs, NC

Meditation

This was an odd day. I don’t have much to say about the journey as it was largely a blur. 

Sometimes, when hiking, I find myself in an almost meditative state. I’ll be hiking along, my footsteps and breathing fall into a rhythm and my mind wanders. Much of this day was spent in this state. 

Hot Springs, NC

The trail runs right through the middle of the town. This is the first time that I know I have seen an impact from Hurricane Helene. The town was flooded during the hurricane, businesses are still recovering, and homes rebuilt. 

The town has a lot to offer despite the damage. The people are very friendly and the food was delicious. I stopped at Vinyl Pies Pizza for dinner and Smokey Mountain Diner the following morning and both were excellent. 

We are taking a zero day before we set out on a 70-mile stretch to our next resupply.

Experiences

Trail Names

Surprisingly, names like GatorBait, Titmouse, and Holiday are not people’s names from birth. All the hikers, for the most part, end up getting a trail name.

Typically there is a story tied to the names that are given. For example: Woodstock was named because he blasts music from a speaker he wears on his hip. Kermit carries a Kermit the Frog doll on his pack. Rorschach was named because of the sweat stains on his shirt looking like ink blots. 

My Trail Name Suggestions

I have finally been granted my trail name. There were three suggestions since I have been out here. 

Napolean Dynamite: Too Late suggested this because he saw me twirling my poles one day.

I didn’t like this name because it is too long. Napolean was suggested, but I think of the other Napolean, you know the one. Dynamite suggests I blow up the privy. Nappy D suggests erectile dysfunction. So I vetoed this name. 

Einstein: Slowpoke suggested this name because she was trying to find a place to hang wet items, but couldn’t find one. I put my trekking poles in the rafters and she could then hang her stuff from them. She thought the idea was genius. 

I might have unconventional ideas, but feel this doesn’t suit me best. 

The One

Dad Joke: Mountain Doctor suggested this one due to my tendency to relentlessly tell dad jokes at every opportunity.

I know that nobody at home would question this for a moment, and I feel that it fits me the best of any of the other suggestions. 

Dad Joke is now my Trail Name!