On to North Carolina
After resting up in Helen I headed back out to Unicoi Gap. Thanks to Betty's Country Store providing a free shuttle I was able to to get out and put in a full day of hiking. This chunk of trail started out with two big climbs over Rocky and Tray Mountains. This was the highest peak since Blood Mountain. These stuck with the pattern of Georgia which meant climbing steeply and then descending quickly only to then immediately start climbing again. Thankfully Tray Mountain had a great summit view to enjoy and take a break.
After Tray it was a rolling afternoon with several smaller ups and downs through several gaps and one "swag".
Finally settled into camp at Sassafras Gap, enjoying the sound of thunder as we went through the camp chores. Unfortunately after dark we got hit with a really heavy rain storm. This would begin two days of on and off rain which makes everything a little more challenging. But it also made for some really great scenes as we floated through the clouds.
The next day I woke up with the goal to get out of Georgia. This took me through Dicks Creek Gap, this is where most hikers jump off the trail for the first time.
The rain lingered most of the morning and even after it ended the entire forest was soaked and misty. The lack of views or noteworthy sights made the day slide by easily. I finally hit the border and camped shortly after in Bly Gap.
Camp was perched high on the gap which made for a chilly night. High winds were around most of the evening which allowed things to dry and air out a bit. Thankfully some more ambitious hikers than myself decided we needed a fire which made the evening more pleasant. (Thanks Brian!) Overnight we were hit with more rain which made for a slow start to the next day.
North Carolina started with a rough climb up and over Courthouse Bald. However, North Carolina had a much different style of trail. The trail tends to spend it's time winding along the sides of mountains making for much easier hiking. Even when climbing the grades tend to be much easier. This is also when we first encountered recently burned areas making for a much different environment and feel to the trail.
The other highlight of the day was Standing Indian Mountain the first peak over 5,000 feet. A long easily graded trail took you along to the summit without much effort. Unfortunately I completely missed the side trail to the actual summit and descended to the next gap. This was one of the many times already that I've found myself refusing to backtrack even if it's only a few hundred feet.
The effects of the fire were seen all the way into camp at Beech Gap an open valley with patches of of Rhododendrons scattered around. This camp was notable because we were at over 4,000 feet of elevation. The early part of North Carolina generally is at a much higher elevation than Georgia.
The next morning I decided I could push the fifteen miles into Rock Gap and get down to town for my first zero. It was a day focused on a long steady climb up Mt. Albert followed by one of the nicest stretches of trail yet.
The climb up Albert was gorgeous and in many sections quite exposed offering great views. After a long steady climb you climb the last 500 feet in about .3 miles.
At the top of the mountain was a fire tower offering stunning views in all directions.
From this high the slow progress of spring was completely visible.
After leaving the summit I passed another milestone. The trail then settled into a steady descent to Rock Gap. After some really rocky sections the trail was soft and smooth. The combination of smooth trail and easy downhill made for a great stretch of hiking.
Once I hit Rock Gap I quickly was offered a ride from a shuttle driver who was passing by. I only had to wait for him to come back in an hour. The driver took me to his hotel and when that was full was nice enough to run me out to another spot. I was able to get a room and settle into a much needed zero day.