The temperature went back down into the 20s last night and the room was almost unbearably cold last night (was lucky I'd brought a lot of warm clothes). I woke up before the "new" 0715 (clocks changed) to get the shower going... I was even more startled by the chill in the air while I was packing my car in Hot Springs (0830)! Had hoped to get breakfast at a diner in Hot Springs but they (along with almost everything else) were closed on Sunday. Fortunately, the Hillbilly Market was open - they had so many hiker friendly food items! I stocked up and then headed southwest on NC-209. Today, there was no more visible evidence of snow, so I drove to the AT trailhead at Garenflo Gap. I’d passed on hiking this section yesterday because the elevation went from 2500’ at the parking lot to 4650’ at the top of Bluff Mountain - a daunting climb which would have been harder with snow. Left my car (SOBO) at 1000 with two layers on (the temp had just reached 30). It was sunny and there was no wind. In the first mile, the trail rolled up and down through the rhododendrons but it eventually started the aggressive incline. I was happy to learn that the Trail Designer had worked hard to use great switchbacks to take me to the top but it still took about two hours to reach the actual summit. I saw great views in all directions but there were no vistas to stop at for a photo - in a month, hikers probably won’t see anything for miles. I started encountering Thru hikers near the top and ended up passing five during my out and back. After I started down the mountain on the other side, I also passed a Slackpacker who, like myself, was chipping away at the trail. The big difference, though, was that his wife had dropped him off and was picking him up later. He looked REALLY beat and I wondered if I might regret going downhill into Kale Gap - I was trading elevation on my side of the ravine and the Walnut Mountain Shelter (my target) was already high above me on the opposite ridge. I kept going and somehow made it to the turnaround. By that point, it had warned up significantly (50) so I shed a layer before beginning my backtrack. For my third climb of the day (up Bluff Mountain again), I pushed hard to make it to the summit, convincing myself that it wasn’t that steep and want that far. On the top, I got a great feeling of elation that the next four miles were downhill! The return went pretty fast but I had to watch out for the lack of bridges (slippery creek transits), the increasing mud (as the remaining snow melted) and the many (big) fallen trees. I guess I didn’t notice these obstacles as much when I was focused on the climb... The most amazing thing about the day was the long periods of intense silence. I saw lots of birds and squirrels but almost nothing made a noise. There wasn’t any wind, either. Didn’t see anyone else the rest of the day until I reached my car at 1600 (after 13 miles). I encountered the Slackpacker again - his wife had arrived to get him. We chatted a bit about their plans and I learned they were driving their RV all the way from Georgia to Maine - it sounded fun! Cleaned myself up and drove back to Hot Springs (temp gauge said 60!). Used US-25, NC-212, NC-208, TN-70 to US-11E and then used TN-93 all the way to I-81. Stopped for the night (again) at the Travel Inn in Marion (1915). Cleaned up in the room, took a call from Dad and then watched TV until bed (2230). What a week - over 30 new AT miles and some awesome connections! AT Today = 6.50 miles / G.T. AT = 1557.16 miles
