AT Day 23: Mill Ridge & Pigsah NF

Daily Miles: 21.3, Total Miles: 296.4

Why is it I am always sleeping so soundly on the day I need to get back on the trail?

Another reason I like Hot Springs NC is that the AT goes right through town. When I reached Main Street I met Kim, a local resident, walking her dog. Nice chat and fortunately her walk was my walk for a few miles. She guided me where to exit the highway past the bridge over the French Broad River. Also where the best vista points were!

The trail followed the wide and fast flowing river for a short while before climbing steeply up and eventually out of the river canyon.

Springtime was in full swing at lower elevations which also had the appearance of a rain forest. Maybe that’s why it rained quite a bit with an intense but short thunder and lightning storm. I put on my rain jacket and kept moving.

I had lunch just before Allen Gap, crossed the highway and met a trail angel who offered soda and snacks. Took advantage of a camp chair, had a soda and he filled me in on what to expect up the trail.

And wouldn’t you know it, it was a long, steep climb. Seven miles later and 2,500′ higher, I hit the high point for the day. There was an unoccupied tent site and it was getting late and raining hard. Got the tent up, threw everything inside, wriggled out of my wet hiking clothes and got situated. So nice to have dry sleeping clothes to put on.

I had expected to see lots of hikers today but only saw them camped or holed up in a shelter.