Government Shutdown Trip A - Day 5

Woke up at 0600 - found I had a text from the hikers I'd met the previous day (Roger and Sean). They'd actually texted me overnight with their plans for the day: they decided (I guess because of Roger's knees) not to shuttle the full section we'd discussed but, instead, to camp midway. They did ask me to join them until I needed to backtrack to my car (7+ miles in each direction) but it seemed like too much hiking for me under that conditions. Also, I didn't come prepared for an overnight below freezing and the shuttle would take more than 24 hours - so I politely declined. Fortunately, I had enough time to make alternative plans. I cleaned up some work stuff (end of pay period) and did some planning and prep for my hike. Ate a relaxed (sit down) breakfast in Franklin (0810) and then headed west towards Georgia. Made it across Winding Stair Gap without almost any fog but noticed a heavy frost line on all the peaks above - wondered if this would continue into Georgia... Arrived at the trailhead (Byron Reece Memorial Parking Area) for my hike at 1000 and immediately headed SOBO on the approach trail (0.65 steep miles up to Flatrock Gap). It was very chilly (low 30s) when I started and it got colder as I climbed - I wore three layers again when I left the car. Switched to the AT on the ridge and soon I was completely surrounded by trees with thick hoarfrost. It was eerily silent in the snowy morning air and my heart sank with the thought that I'd miss the sun again. The trail started a steady (but not too steep) climb up Blood Mountain, the highest point in Georgia (almost 4500 feet). As I reached the halfway point in the climb, I cleared the clouds (!) and found sunlight! The terrain to the south was completely clear of weather and it appeared that we'd get the same conditions soon (about 30 minutes later, they arrived). Caught up to a local section hiker (Wayne) who I'd actually seen at Neel/Neels Gap when I first got to the area - he'd been dropped off by his wife and was considering an overnight on the trail. We hiked together for the next three miles - over the top of Blood Mountain, which was covered in "armor" of huge rocks and few trees. The views were spectacular! An airplane circled the summit (at eye level) several times and it got warm enough that I took off my coat. We exchanged trail stories and he showed me his detailed sectional map of the area (I probably need one of those...). A solo LASHer passed us and we chatted with him for a little bit. We later found the Shelter on top of the peak - it was made of stone but had no windows (looked cold). We then headed down the mountain on the north side, which was still shrouded in snow. As the sun climbed in the sky, the hoarfrost started to melt quickly and soon it was snowing (heavy!) with debris from the tree tops - it seemed like it would never end! Passed another solo LASHer, three day hikers and an ATC Trail Maintainer. We passed along news of downed trees in the area to the latter hiker and continued south until reaching Jerrard Gap. I said goodbye to Wayne there and backtracked towards my car. Passed the Trail Maintainer again and, when I told him my plan to hike the Freeman Trail (AKA Bypass Trail), he told me he'd never used it before. Wayne had said the same thing and I thought it was odd that local people wouldn't go that way. Then he warned me about rattlesnakes and copperheads that were usually present on that route. At first, I laughed inside, since I thought there was so much snow on the ground a snake would be foolish. When I switched to the trail, however, I saw that it was completely clear of snow - the south side of the mountain had shed all hoarfrost and it had even melted... For a trail that was designed to avoid the difficulty of the mountain climb, I was not impressed. For one thing, it was so rocky that I kept wishing I'd stuck with the AT. It didn't seem to be regularly traveled and there was very little evidence of trail maintenance - I guess it is because it isn't part of the AT. Also, it was poorly marked - many times, I would stumble across a rock field (or gushing waterfall through the middle of the trail) and be unsure about which way to go (but sometimes there were blue blazes and I was "saved"). The distance on the Bypass was supposed to be a little shorter than over the ridge but I think the difficulty made the time savings negligible. I passed three (older) day hikers during this section. Eventually, I made it back to Flatrock Gap and resumed hiking the AT (NOBO at that point). Passed Balance Rock and saw some good views of US-19 below the trail. It was only about a mile to Neel Gap and it was mostly downhill. Took some pictures and then used the highway to get back to the parking area (about 0.5 mile north of the Gap). It was colder again, mostly from the wind - I think it is some kind of venturi effect, since I've encountered it many times in the gaps. At my car by 1445 after almost 10 miles. It wasn't a long section but the day was much nicer than the previous few and I really got to enjoy the views. Was on the road again by 1500. When I came back into an area with cell phone signal (near Hiawassee), I was hit with a huge email blast - people from work were looking for me! I actually pulled over for a short time to take care of the issues. Then used GA-69 at Young Harris to get to Hayesville and US-64. The weather was much better as I drove through the pass. Picked up dinner (to go) at Arby's in Franklin (1620) and went back to my room. Rested, read and watched TV for several hours. Thought about going to the Lazy Hiker again but decided against it. Went to bed at 2230 but didn't fall asleep for a while (restless). Since it was almost time to have Visitation with Mollie, I knew I had to leave the area very soon. Going to try one more hike tomorrow and will then head north. It's been a great trip! AT Today = 5.00 miles / G.T. AT = 1302.02 miles