McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 11/17/2024 | AT Mile 1752.6 | Day Total: 14.5 miles | Gain: 2691 ft

Starting getting ready for the day right as the sun was rising. Snapped a quick picture of the sunrise when I went out to grab my food bag from the tree.

After packing up I continued onward along the ridge. I had views on both sides of the ridge and could see the cloud covered towns below.

Ran into pretty consistent blowdowns for the first mile today. Every once in a while I would stop and cut the trail clear with what I could do with a handsaw. I bet I whipped this thing out well over 100 times today.

Not long after I ran into my first of four blowdown fields in this section. With balance, patience and a hand saw I was able to get through them all. Wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the first to get through this mess. My pace was less than 1 mph for the first 3 miles. Also walked past the first stone wall I’ve seem in a while.

After that slow tedious section of trail I made it to Low Gap. There’s a small gravel parking area here. Multiple motorists zoomed by while I filtered water from the spring.

To my surprise the next two miles were all cleared of blowdowns thanks to some trail crews! After that I encountered some medium sized blowdowns then a massive field of blowdowns for the better part of a half mile right before the shelter. Made lots of cuts through this section in order to get through. Very slow process.

After a wreck of trail I made it to Double Spring Shelter at 1pm. I ate lunch here and grabbed some water from the spring nearby. I’ve been writing comments on nearly every icon on FarOut because nobody has since September.

After lunch I had cleared trail the rest of the day which was a gift! You don’t appreciate the clear trail until it’s no longer there.

I passed a group of day hikers on my way down. They asked about another hiker with long dreadlocks and I recalled seeing him in Grayson Highlands. They said they’d picked him up and dropped him off on the trail yesterday. They were looking for him because they wanted to give him a tent and sleeping bag. I pretty sure he was more so living on the trail than hiking the trail.

After two miles in the woods I walked for the better part of a mile through pastures. The good thing is that blow downs can’t get in your way here!

After the pastures I made it to Cross Mountain/TN 91. The trail was clear from here all the way to the shelter I hoped to stay at tonight! Went through lots of rhododendron and hand some pretty good view of the valley.

A mile border I reached the shelter I passed by Nick Grindstaff Monument.

Once I arrived at the shelter I filled out the logbook and pitched my tent. There’s a large blowdown in the middle of the large camp area in front of the shelter but there’s still lots of room around it.

I got settled in and made some dinner. Looked at recent comments and social media pages for trail updates. Tomorrow I’m hoping I can get to Boots Off Hostel. It’s 16 miles away but the last 4ish is cleared. Not sure if it’ll be cleared past the shelter I’m at tonight.