Hikers trickled back to the trail after breakfast. I was one of the earlier ones to head out under cloudy skies. There is a chance of rain but as I set out it was no more than a fine mist not even requiring a rain coat.
Today’s goal is approximately 12 miles to a camp site by a stream near Upper Laurel Fork.
Some sights from the morning as I climbed out of Roan.
I passed Isaacs Cemetery which looked new.
Then, a short way up the trail I passed the 400 mile marker.
A short detour down a blue blaze trail took me to Jones Falls. This picture doesn’t do it justice.
And then I completed the North Carolina part of the trail. Two states down.
Following Elk River into Tennessee was bucolic.
And, in case you missed the 400 mile marker there was another reminder of how far you had walked.
Trail was gorgeous today. Outstanding mountains and valleys, walks along beautiful river banks and waterfalls. In the afternoon I passed Mountaineer Falls and stopped by Mountaineer Shelter for a late lunch.
A tick jumped on my pants but seemed to be stunned. Maybe the permethrin was doing it’s work. I flicked it off and did a thorough check and did not find any others. Now that Spring is blooming and grass and bushes are crowding the trail the ticks will be a more pressing issue.
Over lunch I was thinking how lucky it was that the rain had held off. That would change and a steady rain began to fall. Donning my rain gear I pushed on until I reached my destination. I picked my site from several available spots next to a creek. A lull in the rain allowed me to get my tent set up without things getting wet.😅
Gary and Pork Chop showed up and decided to pitch their tents here as well. Nero did the same 30 minutes later.
Changed into dry clothes, cooked some beef stroganoff for dinner and then settled into my warm, dry sleeping bag. I fell asleep to the pitter patter of rain on my tent.
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