North Carolina Hiking Trip - Day 2

I left my hotel in Marion at about 0645.  The Bojangles across the street had gone out of business so I went to McDonalds (0700).  Also got gas at Shell (0710) and then got on I-81.  Made some work-related calls on the way into Tennessee.  Followed I-81 until reaching I-26 - I took that route to Erwin.  My intended destination was Franklin, NC (so I could set up for some hiking during the coming weekend) and thought I’d try to squeeze in some trail time before the forecasted rain. There aren’t too many “short” hikes left...   I first tried one near Erwin, TN but the Unaka Mountain road was still closed for the winter.  I retraced my tracks to the Interstate and then took US-19 and NC-352/NC-212 towards Hot Springs.  Found the AT trailhead at Allen Gap on NC-208/TN-70 almost by accident (missed the cues that I was getting close and then suddenly came to the TN/NC border).  It was in the low 40s with light showers when I parked at 1015 and headed SOBO into the rhododendrons. The first 1.5 was a steep climb with very few switchbacks. I powered through, somehow, but muscles I’d forgotten protested all the way to the first ridge. There was a slight descent and then another climb began. This cycle repeated twice more before my turnaround point. Meanwhile, the elements (30s, wind, sleet) began to conspire against me as I got near 4000 feet. I’d seen snow at this elevation in Tennessee but, fortunately, there wasn’t much in the area. By the three mile mark, I was drenched and cold and was facing one more climb to the Spring Mountain Shelter. I then ran into the first person I’d seen in almost two hours: the Trail Maintainer for the section. I’d seen evidence (turned earth, water channels, etc.) that he’d been there recently but hadn’t expected anyone else to be dumb enough to hike this far from the road. However, the older gentleman was happily trimming branches while listening to “You’re Welcome” (“Moana” soundtrack - is it sad that I know that?). We talked briefly and I told him I was hurrying because the real rain was coming (he replied “it’s only sprinkling”). Finished the first half of my hike and immediately reversed course. Not a moment too soon! The sky opened up and I got even wetter. The Trail Maintainer was gone when I got back to his location and it took me another mile to catch him - with all the rain, I was glad that most of the backtrack was downhill... I passed him about a mile from my car and practically flew the rest of the way. There’s nothing like cold and wet to make a fast hike! Finished at around 1330 after almost 8 miles. My body could tell that I haven’t hiked the AT in three months but (could be my imagination) I felt l like I’d recovered some of my trail legs. Either way, AT hiking in 2020 was off to an auspicious start!  I ate a late lunch (snacks) in the car as I used NC-208 and US-25 to reach Hot Springs.  Then used NC-209 (with GPS this time, so I wouldn't get sidetracked) all the way to I-40.  It was raining most of the way.  I used US-74 to US-23 to US-64 and arrived in Franklin (NC) by 1530.  The hotel I usually use there (Budget Inn) was getting a Health Inspection (to increase their rating to 98%) so they asked me to come back a bit later.  I took care of some work-related tasks (in my car) and then drove down to the Lazy Hiker and had couple of drinks.  I met a few local people and had some fun chatting with them.  I closed out at 1635 and went back to the hotel to check-in (1710).  Spent the rest of the evening working in my hotel room and went to bed at 2215.  AT Today = 3.70 miles / Grand Total AT = 1530.06 miles