Camp Bevis: THE MAGICAL SMOKIES pt 2

Day 28 4/19/17

Miles hiked: 14.6
Shelter: Pecks Corner Shelter
High point: Views and weather
Low Point: putting on cold wet socks and shoes

The morning started off with wet clothes and wet socks and shoes. We hiked from the shelter and knew we had a big mile day ahead since we must stay at the shelters. Starting off cold and wet didn't put us in the best mood but it wasnt currently raining so we found the positive.

It's so wet in the Smokies that when trees fall they just simply uproot close to the trunk. It seems everywhere else we have seen on the trail, they break off just at the trunk. It's pretty interesting and one more thing that makes the Smokies so special.
Uprooted tree and Russ for size.

A few miles in we came across trail magic provided by a hiking club in the area called Solemates. Honey buns, peanut butter bars and ginger ale lifted our spirits tremendously. We barreled into Newfound gap. There were tons of tourist bused in there but nothing to see but fog. I really wanted our photo taken by the state line sign but Russ was less than enthused with the tour busses there. I waited in line with all the old ladies to get our photo. 🙂 It looks like we took the easy way up.

Just as we were beginning to think it was going to be another view-less, cloudy, rainy, typical spring day in the Smokies, we were surprised. By the time we climbed out of the gap the clouds were beginning to break in places. We made it to Charlies Bunion. This has been another place on our wish list for the trail and we were worried we would get nothing but white clouds. We were lucky enough, they broke just a bit when we arrived.

We enjoyed the view and every single AMAZING view after for the rest of the day. It was a very long day but absolutely worth it, in deed.

And my muddy feet.

Day 29 4/20/17

Miles traveled: 12 miles
Shelter: Cosby Knob Shelter
High Point: patches of sun and views
Low Point: weather

Started and ended in rain gear today but all the time inbetween was spent in shorts and a breathable long sleeve shirt. The photos do not do the Smokies justice at all. I wish I could send you the smell and thickness of the air. It's magical.

When it rains, the train turns into a a rock bed stream. It's much better than mud.

Snack time with Russ. It is ALWAYS snack time with Russ.

Day 30 4/21/17

Miles traveled: 10.7
Shelter: shared cabin over a creek at Standing Bear Hostel with Dragonfly, Rabbit, Duck Fart, Raggedy, Auntie and I Know Things.
High Point: passing under I40
Low Point: missing the Smokies

Woke up to rain at the shelter. It was our last day in the Smokies. We packed up and I found a mouse chewed through my netting on my pack. I believe he was after some almonds in a Ziplock bag I had in the pocket but I already ate the almonds. Oh well. We patched it up with tenatious tape and on we went.
We took a 0.6 side trail to Mt Cammerer lookout tower. I'm not usually fond of additional miles but this was worth it. We even caught our second rainbow of the trip.

After we headed down the mountain and out of the Smokies. As soon we exited the park we were greeted with Trail Magic from two vacationers from Florida and a guy who helps maintain the park (I believe his trail name was Bud or Buddy).
As we reached lower elevation the forest came alive with animals and GREEN. Who knew five days of rain and elevation can lead you to forget it's SPRING!?!

We crossed the Pigeon River bridge and under I40. This was momentous for us. We have been stopping by this piece of the AT on our treks from TN to NC since we have decided to hike. We kept saying... We will walk back here one day and that's exactly what we did.

We headed on to Standing Bear Hostel where we showered, did laundry, bought food to get us to Hot Springs and made ourselves a Dijorno Pizza. We hung out with friends and had a good time. Our cabin was built over a creek and the hostel had a commune feel about it.
The cabin