Days 69, 70, and 71

Day 69, June 11, Fontana Dam Visitors Center to Locust Grove Gap  Campsite

Hiked today 18.8 today’s ascent 5980 total hiked 1150

First view of the day, a little break between some trees after hiking close to 13 miles.

Today was a long day with lots of up and down but almost no views.  I got to the campsite around 6:00 and was joined shortly after I got my tent set up by a pair of NOBO section hikers.  I talked to them as I ate dinner and then retired to my tent for the night

Day 70, June 12, Locust Cove Gap Campsite to Wesser Bald Shelter

Hiked today 16.5 today’s ascent 5050 feet total hiked 1166 

It’s a beautiful morning! I slept in until 6:20 AM then got up, had breakfast, broke camp, and said goodby to the father-son duo who camped next to me.  I’m on the trail at 7:30 AM.

I don’t know if I mentioned it, but my hiking shoe blew out along the side fabric over two days ago. I have been hiking with it looking like this for the last two days.

Fortunately, after after about 10 miles today, the trail goes right through a complex established by NOC a well-known outfitter in these in this area. I called yesterday and reserved to shoot a pick up a pair of shoes.

I’m at over 5000 feet again at Cheoah Bald.  It’s beautiful!  There’s only one view looking south.

This is a view looking north from the trail up to Wesser bald. This was taken from about 3800 feet above sea level.

These two pictures are taken from a rocky outcropping near the top of the first level of Wesser Bald at about 4100 feet.

I camped near the Wesser Bald Shelter tonight.  I will see Wesser Bald itself after a short hike tomorrow morning.

Day 71, June 13, Wesser Bald Shelter to Winding Stair Gap

Hiked today 21.6 today’s ascent 5080 feet. Total hiked 1187

I’m at the Wesser Bald observation tower, a large observation platform at over 4600 feet. It’s 7:50AM on June 13. Here are the north, east, south and west views.

I’m at over 5000 feet again! The name of this place is Rocky Bald. It’s at 5095 feet. It requires a detour of about 0.1 miles each way off the ACT but it’s well worth it. It’s a beautiful place to watch the sunrise although I’m too late for that. It’s currently 9:35 AM. There is lots of haze today as you can see.

After Rocky Bald is Wayah Bald. It has a parking lot and an observation tower.  This is the Wayah Bald observation tower.

This is the view looking southeast from Wayah bald.

This is the trail to Siler Bald, a 0.2 mile spur that has spectacular views. I reckon I have to take it even though I’m really tired after hiking over 17 miles so far.

Well, I made it. That was a really long 0.2 miles, it included about a 250 foot climb. Here is the plaque.

And here are the four pictures to the north, to the east, to the south and to the west.

I made really good time from Siler Bald to Winding Stair Gap where my shuttle driver was waiting.  I got there at 6:40 and he dropped me at the Franklin, NC Microtel before 7.  I had Sonic hamburgers for dinner, talked to Kim, did some blog work and then went to bed.