AT Day 18: GSMNP to Past Mt Guyot

Daily Miles: 18.5, Total Miles: 226.2

A brisk walk across town to the pickup point for the shuttle back to Newfound Gap. Early Easter morning is probably the quietest of the year in Gatlinburg! By the time the van arrived there were probably 25 hikers milling around. Several had also taken double zero days to wait out the storm. Clearly too many for one van but it got sorted out quickly. Most of the first hikers, including me, jumped into the van and the rest ran across the street to hitch. Quickly getting rides, we all seemed to arrive at the trailhead at the same time.

Absolutely my favorite day on the trail with “more’ of everything. More energy from a double zero, more sunshine, more gorgeous views, and definitely more hikers although they spread out quickly.

Leapfrogged with largely a new group of young hikers, including Whispering Moose. Up and down ridgelines through dense, moss-covered evergreen forests.

Expansive views of the Smokies, especially from Charlies Bunion, many low-lying clouds far below, left over from the passing storm.

My initial destination was the Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. But I didn’t see any suitable tent sites where I wouldn’t slide down the mountain or be in standing water. A few hacking hikers already there, I didn’t want to stay inside the shelter. So loaded up with water and kept moving – the next shelter was eight miles away. You are not supposed to camp outside the shelter area in the NP. But it became evident I wouldn’t reach the next shelter until after dark. At dusk I reached a high ridge that happened to also be the backcountry grass helipad. Too good to pass up, great views and a safe haven.