AT Day 14: Into the Great Smoky Mountains NP

Daily Miles: 13.4, Total Miles: 177.7

I slept great at the Fontana Dam Resort, had a nice breakfast and took the first shuttle back to the marina with several other hikers.

The first task was walking across the Fontana Dam, a pretty impressive structure. Just on the other side, I entered the Great Smoky Mountains NP (GSMNP) which requires a permit for backcountry camping. Another nearly 5k ft vertical gain on a warm and humid day. For some reason, I felt like a slug today, very tired. It wasn’t until about 2pm that I felt that I was getting into a good rhythm again.

Pretty mountain views through the trees all day along the NC/TN border.

I decided to call it quits at the Mollie Ridge Shelter arriving late in the afternoon and tented nearby. GSMNP requires all hikers to stay in a shelter or tent nearby. No privy at this one but it did have bear bag cables for hanging food.