McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 11/27/2024 | AT Mile 1925.4 | Day Total: 15.9 miles | Gain: 3778 ft

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise! Grabbed my bag from the bear line and made some breakfast. I’ll be heading into Hot Springs today. I tried to contact a few places to stay yesterday with no luck. I’m going to try again this morning once I find a place with service.

Started the day off with about 900ft of climbing to Spring Mountain Shelter. Legs were feeling rather tired today.

I took a short break at the shelter. It’s in pretty rough shape. Someone’s written “mice city” in sharpie on the sign.

After the shelter I hiked down to Hurricane Gap. Through the trees I could see the fog settled in the valleys. When I reached the gap there were multiple bear warning signs. I attempted to call a few hostel but only 1 picked up and they were closed… I’m probably going to end up hiking 3 miles to the next shelter after Hot Springs.

Had a super steep climb after Hurricane Gap. I ascended 500ft in .6 of a mile. I descended 1300ft steadily after to Tanyard Gap where the trail crosses US Routes 25 and 70.

Had a small climb afterword to Mill Ridge Road. Supposedly there was an old mill that laid here next to the pond. The pond has a massive concrete dam supporting it. It’s a bit odd to see a dam like this in the middle of nowhere. Pond was pretty low but there were some nice benches that I took a quick sit on.

I bumped up and down the ridge into Hot Springs. Towards the end of the ridge I had a really good view of the river and town. I could see the damage Helene had all the way up here.

The last mile-ish was along the river. In some parts the trail was probably under 8ft of water based on the height of the debris that remains on the trees. The trail is also covered in sand. All of this is from Helene. I wonder if it was sandy before?

Just before I crossed the French Broad River I briefly passed some houses that were completely demolished. Lots of boarded up windows and yellow spray painted X’s all over. The road nearby had been cleared of sand and dirt.

As I crossed the bridge I noticed that there yards of block pipe wrapped around the bridges supports. The pipe was bobbing in and out of the water as the river swiftly moved.

As I walked down the street almost every building in the immediate area had a yellow paper taped to the door. They were “restricted use” papers with info for inspections. Multiple businesses were rebuilding as well which is a good sign.

Outside the visitor center on the picnic table I set home base. There was an outlet that I was able to plug into which was convenient. I was happy to see that the power was turned on.

I headed over to Dollar General to do a resupply. It’s got a descent selection of food for a resupply.

Back at the picnic table I ate some lunch and organized my food. I’m carrying a bunch because I’m not sure how good Standing Bear Farm’s resupply is. Comments on FarOut say it’s limited.

The local outfitter was flooded in the storm but they moved some of their gas canisters to the local gas station so hikers can sill get them. I talked with the outfitters owner while I organized my food. They were working on building a new store front a block down from the original that’s slightly higher.

The AT walks right through town and many of the locals that walked by had conversations with me. All were very friendly! They’ve even got AT plaques in the concrete.

Cell service is spotty but the gas station has free wifi and chairs nearby. I also grabbed some hand warmers and some thick gloves because it’s going to get cold in the next few days. I stationed myself outside the gas station for a while. I uploaded a few journals and caught up with the family!

It was 4:50 when I left town and headed to the shelter. It’ll be dark when I get there unfortunately. I’m hoping to spend the night on the shelter but the FarOut comments say it’s mouse ridden and “needs some love”. There’s a chance of rain tonight and early tomorrow.

The hike up was steep. 1500 ft and most of it was in the first 1.5 miles. Packs also really heavy with food and extra gear. I could probably send home my handsaw and shorts.

I spotted a really big salamander or newt?!? It was massive maybe 6 inches long.

I eventually made it to the shelter. When I entered there was mouse droppings all over the floor and piles of wood dust. I could also hear them puttering around.

I went to find a spot for my tent and spotted a mouse dancing around a tree trunk I chased to around the tree with my headlamp until it found a hole under a rock. I didn’t pitch my tent in that vicinity.

I ended up pitching it a few yards from the back of the shelter. The bear cables are nearby which is nice. After getting settled in I cooked some dinner. My food bag is bulging so much that it wouldn’t seal all the way. I ended up taking out my pot and that was enough to get it sealed for the cables and rain tonight.

Lots of thoughts about home lately. Really miss the family. While I’m walking lately I dream of what I could be doing at home missing the normal aspects of life.