Hot Springs, NC (USA)

Waking up in Marion, I found myself in a good position this morning - left by 0700 and was on I-26 in Tennessee by 0800. There was a ton of fog throughout the drive and I saw lots of snow on the ridges above Erwin, when the AT went. Got gas fillup in Erwin, TN (0830).  Decided to try the trail farther to the south and took TN-352 into North Carolina. Temps stayed in the low 30s until I reached Hot Springs and then creeped up towards 40. Decided to head for Garenflo Gap (off NC-209) and finish a rather short (but very remote) section. After driving up a muddy gravel road, I found the AT Trailhead and left my car (NOBO) by 1000. I only wore two layers (and one was a short sleeved shirt) because the forecast said we’d get 60s eventually. Regretted this after the first mile, which was entirely in the shade. I had another layer in my bag but didn’t end up using it because the trail looked back into the sun. From there, I was relatively comfortable. The ground was wet, almost as if it had just rained, but I didn’t see any snow. The ridge I was following had minor climbs and descents and I made very good time to my turnaround, Deer Park Mountain Shelter. Didn’t stop and started my backtrack immediately. Never saw a single person and didn’t encounter wildlife. By 1230, I was back at my car after almost 7 miles. Felt really good and decided to make an attempt to hike in another location to the southwest. Just before leaving, though, a dad and his two boys (from Florida) showed up in the parking lot and asked me a lot of questions about the conditions and terrain. They seemed so excited and driven - I envied the hiking camaraderie they had (and told them so) but still wished them luck as I departed for another AT section... AT Today = 3.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 1484.46 miles