McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 11/30/2024 | AT Mile 1973.7 | Day Total: 18.1 miles | Gain: 6722 ft

Entering the Smokies today! Slept really well last night. Woke up once last night and threw my quilt over the blanket – the little heater is struggling to keep the not well insulated treehouse at room temperature. Still way better than the 20 degrees outside.

Left the treehouse at 7 and went over to kitchen building to make some breakfast. While I ate the sobo that’s going nobo now brought his pack in and ate as well. Breakfast options are pretty poor so I made some oatmeal like normal.

Went back to the treehouse and packed up my bag. It’s pretty heavy with all this food. I also probably have the better part of a half pound of hand warmers. Pack on and linens in the hamper I made the .2 mile trek back to the AT.

Had a short climb before I went down to interstate 40. There were no cars at all – kinda creepy. Right after, I walked over the Pigeon River and reentered the woods.

I’ve got a whole lot of climbing today. The good news is that once I’m up I stay along the ridge for the next few days. Although I’ll still be bumping up and down.

First section was a 700ft climb up to Davenport Gap. It’s easier to break the climb down into segments so it’s not overwhelming. Had some tree obstructed views on my way there. Davenport Gap is the AT’s entrance (or exit for most) to the Smokies! There were some silly pumpkins on the side of the trail reading “ME —> GA” in spooky lettering.

Up next was a 900 ft climb to a trail intersection with some flat trail just before it. Took a short snack break before continuing on to the 1600ft climb where I’ll have lunch. All these climbs are a steady incline that keeps the same grade nearly the whole time making it easy to pace myself. After a big chunk I got a view through some rhododendron. It was at this point where there was a dusting of snow along the trail that hadn’t melted yet.

The next view shortly after is where I ate lunch. There was a rock to climb up to get a vast view!

After lunch, I had a small chunk of the climb left before I descended down to Low Gap. The sun was shining brightly and casting rays of light that glimmered in the snow.

After Low Gap I climbed up a 1000ft bump over to Camel Gap. Had a beautiful view shortly after.

The trail is mostly made up of small pebbles rather than dirt at this elevation. There’s parts where ice has formed and turned the trail into a slick rink. Slid a few times but luckily never fell. This climb appeared to go on forever every time I looked up.

Had some more beautiful views along this section. I have a feeling that it’ll be like this while I’m in the Smokies.

I soon made it to a FarOut marking for a helicopter pad. It’s less of a pad and more of a flat-ish grassy area. This is where I crossed paths with a couple backpacking for the weekend. They said the shelter I’m staying at tonight is nice!

Tonight I’m staying at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Which is at the “end” of the climb to the ridge. Had another nice view just before I arrived.

The shelter is massive and has a tarp to block some of the breeze which is super nice. The sleeping platforms are quite slanted and the bottom platform is like 2 ft high. I decided to take the top and will be facing the back of the shelter because it slopes that way. Want my head higher than my feet while I sleep.

Once I was settled in and had my sleep system set up I made some dinner. It’s still pretty light outside because I got here relatively early, which is nice. I was even able to hang my bear bag on the cables before the sunset.

It seems like I got the shelter to myself tonight. Kinda hoping to see some other hikers for the company. I haven’t been at the same shelter with another person since my parents visited.

I settled into my quilt with all my layers on and journaled, occasionally getting distracted by FarOut’s never ending pool of trail info ahead of me. As I wrap up the journal it’s 6:57pm – going to be an early night which is okay! My thermometer reads 25 degrees in the shelter before sundown. Going to be chilly tonight.