Government Shutdown Trip A - Day 2

Got up early (0530) and repacked (prepping for my hike). Rain was expected and I researched the weather in all directions. The morning started out in the low 30s and overcast but it looked nice enough to try hiking around Albert Mountain. Got breakfast (to go) in Franklin at McDonalds (0805) and then headed west. It was a short drive on US-64 and I expected to be able to reach the trailhead via a gravel Forest Service Road. Unfortunately, the gate was closed (for the winter) and I had to make other plans. I decided to drive into Georgia and try one of the easier three or four spots where I had miles remaining. On the way across the border, there was intermittent rain/sleet but I had the clothing and rain gear and didn't change direction. Decided to tackle a section near Springer Mountain that I'd never tried when I was last in that area (2014) - arrived at the trailhead on GA-60 (near the town of Suches) at 1045. After exploring my options and layering up again (the wind made Woody Gap feel a lot colder than everywhere else I'd been), I headed SOBO. Truth be told, this decision was made partly because of the large number of loud and obnoxious college age kids who were hiking in the other direction... I didn't regret my choice - the wind died down as I hugged the southern side of the ridge and I didn't really need my hat and gloves (although I kept them on). Didn't see any wildlife but got some pretty views of the valley to the south - there were almost no more mountains in that direction and it was clear that the Southern Terminus of the AT was selected in this area for a reason. Met some day hikers (opposite direction on my outbound leg but none on the way back to the car) and one guy who looked like a Thru or LASHer. He told me there was sleet at the Gooch Mountain Shelter and that worse weather was coming by 1300. With that intel, I decided to turn around at Gooch Gap (USFS-42), even though it meant that my hike was going to be much shorter than I wanted. As I began my backtrack, I was less than 16 miles from the start of the AT! Made great time back to my car and it started to pour (freezing rain) just as I got inside (1345) after 3.8 (times two) miles. Considered calling it a day but, after it stopped raining 15 minutes later, thought maybe I could get a bit more hiking in since the sun doesn't set around here until around 1800 - headed back to US-19 and then towards Hiawassee. The trailheads in the area were close as the crow flies but very far apart on the mountain roads. Stopped briefly at Neel Gap, where the AT crossed the road and where I hoped to log another mile, but discovered that there was no parking there for hikers - instead, I had to drive half a mile away to a brand new parking lot and access trail (extra mile involved). It started raining again so I left the area and turned on GA-180 and then GA-348. This took me to a place (Tesnatee Gap) where I'd hiked in 2014 without a map or trail guide. As a result, I had recorded some "mushy" turnaround points (i.e., no landmarks). Figured out that I could park only a mile away (at Hogpen Gap) and fill in the blank - it was less than a mile section but would mean that my next hike would be from a road and not a random tree in the woods. Started SOBO at 1445. The climb up Wildcat Mountain was far different than the earlier hike - I did not enjoy the fierce wind or driving sleet that I found on the top of the ridge. Located what I thought was my 2014 turnaround (0.6 whole miles from the car!) and then quickly backtracked. At my car by 1515 and spent a short time watching crazy ice climbers on the rocky hillside near the parking lot. By then, the sleet had built up a thin layer of black ice on the road - I slipped when I was walking and it was much worse when I started down the hill in the car. Had one very scary moment where I was glad I just had the brakes replaced - yikes! Retraced my route through Hiawassee and it started pouring down rain again. After hiking around nine miles and feeling pretty fresh, despite the weather, I decided to turn my attention to the drive back to Franklin. Got gas in Hiawassee (1615) and continued north. I was expecting ice on the Winding Stair Gap again but, fortunately, didn't encounter any. After reaching Franklin (via US-64), I stopped for dinner at Bojangles (1705) and ate in the restaurant. Back in my hotel room, I read my AT hiking book ("Hiking Through") and watched football games. Mollie called to talk and then watched some movies until I went to bed (2330). It's supposed to rain for about 24 hours but I hope to get in a few more AT miles by sunset tomorrow - it's all "free" miles, whatever I get, since I didn't expect to be here at all. "When life gives you lemons..." AT Today = 4.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 1285.92 miles