Hello Virginia
This stretch would mark the end of North Carolina and Tennessee, after weeks of straddling the border between two states. The trail would include a little bit of everything from big open balds to unique spruce mountain tops and waterfalls. Out of Erwin the trail would spend the entire first day progressing up to and over Wanaka Mountain. This climb began with dense lowland forest with numerous streams and blooming rhododendrons, the trail climbed higher and higher until we hit its unique spruce covered peak.
That night brought a beautiful lightning show to fall asleep to along with some light rain. The next day after clouds and rain threatened all day the skies opened up and brought some of the craziest hiking rain yet. Luckily this just inspired me and I quickly climbed three miles up to Ash Gap. Here I stopped short of Roan High Knob which has the highest shelter on the A.T. It turned out that Ash Gap was a fantastic camp to hide out from the rain, except for the small swimming pool that formed near my tent.
The morning was soaked through but the rain had cleared out, after a morning of drying out the skies would stay clear for the rest of this stretch. Roan High Knob was great, containing an old ranger cabin (now shelter) and the early morning fog made for a beautiful scene.
After Roan High Knob we dropped to Carver Gap and were greeted with Fluff and Peanut Butter sandwiches hanging on a guardrail. A small piece of trail magic that warmed up a damp chilly morning.
The trail went up and over Jane Bald in a dense fog but as it dropped into Yellow Gap and the Overmountain Shelter the sun suddenly broke through.
The Overmountain Shelter is a converted barn and truly one of the most unique shelters on the trail, offering stunning views from its sleeping spaces. This gap was also home to a small Revolutilnary War battle adding some interesting historical perspective.
The view also hinted at the rest of the trail day which would turn out to be one of the most stunning pieces of trail to date. This was made more special because it was a total surprise, you rarely hear of Little and Big Hump Mountains being so beautiful.
The forest suddenly ends and the trail spreads out over a massive grassy bald that is Little Hump. Shortly after exiting Little Hump the trail begins a long steady climb up Big Hump. This climb felt as if we had completely left the Appalachians and entered open mountains in the Rockies. The pictures will mostly speak for themselves.
After a whole lot of stopping, lingering and smelling of roses the trail took went down to Doll Flats and the final campsite in North Carolina.
From here the trail would change in character, leaving big mountains for the green tunnels and beautiful water features. The next day would include beautiful Jones Falls which were flowing well and the peaceful Elk River. Even more importantly this day would take us over mile four hundred.
After five days it was time for a shower and a beer. Luckily the Black Bear Resort offered both of these and a beautiful creek to sit in to boot. This stop was my top stop on the AT yet being just off the trail and having everything a hiker needs allowed for an easy and truly restful stop. But first there were fifteen miles to cover and some Hardcore Cascades (!!!) to see.
Leaving here it was three days until Damascus. Without even trying I had managed to hit Damascus for Trail Days. This is a weekend long celebration of the trails that make Damascus famous and is in many ways a celebration of long distance hiking. This would mean the trail would take on a feeling of a rolling party along the trail. Numerous former thru hikers spend the week doing trail magic (aka roadside beers) and helping hikers get into Damascus. The entire trail took on a somehow even more lighthearted feel than usual.
Leaving Black Bear we were greeted with gorgeous Laurel Falls and a beautiful wander along the stream.
From here we climbed up and over Pond Mountain and dropped to Watuga Lake. The climb out of Watuga lake was the hardest one in awhile climbing relentlessly out of the valley.
Thankfully, after this climb it was mostly a rolling cruise into Damascus offering two easier days of hiking. Featuring cows, gorgeous old trees and beautiful green woods.
Three miles out from Damascus the trail left Tennessee and entered Virginia. Nearly 25% of the trail is inside of Virginia so we will be here for awhile. A zero in Damascus offered a quick chance to rest up and now Virginia really starts.
