McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 12/01/2024 | AT Mile 1994.3 | Day Total: 20.6 miles | Gain: 4911 ft

Slept okay for but got little chilled in my feet in the early hours of the morning. I was rolling around a lot which caused drafts. I went to bed at 7pm so I’m not surprised I was rolling around at 5 in the morning with 10hr of sleep. Didn’t use any hand warmers but I’ll definitely fire them up tonight. Started moving around at 6:15 and grabbed my bear bag and water from the spring 10ft in front of the shelter. So convenient!

Made some breakfast in the confines of my quilt. Once I was moving around I was keeping warm. My bottles have some a slush of ice in them. It got down to 19 last night.

Started hiking with all my layers on knowing that I’ll soon shed a layer. Sure enough 20 minutes later I felt the sweat generating and took my puffy off. The trail is so pretty here and the dusting of snow makes exponentially better.

This morning brings a bunch of bumps along the ridge. If I were to take a picture of every view my camera roll would be filled.

One of the more notable bumps I went up was Laurel Top which is wooded. Although just before there are sets of wonderful views. The best I’ve had in the Smokies so far – breathtaking…

I was feeling hungry and I was warmed up from the climb so I decided to eat lunch at the view just before the top. I love being able to see the layers and layers of mountains. Makes the world feel so big and you so small.

After lunch I mostly descended and then bumped along the ridge until I reached the short side trail to Charlies Bunion. This was one of the views that I’ve heard a lot about and not to skip. I recall first hearing about it from the caretaker at The Maine Roadhouse hostel.

I eventually reached the side trail to Charlies Bunion it was hardly .1 miles away and it held up to its recommendations! At least 270 degree views all around.

The climb after up to Icewater Spring Shelter was slow and not because of the climb. The whole trail was coated in inch+ think ice with the occasional rock poking up that I would use to grip. I slipped multiple times but miraculously never fell down.

I had a quick snack break at Icewater Spring Shelter and continued on to Newfound Gap. The trail still had some icy sections, but weren’t quite as bad. I passed a few day hikers along here coming out and back from Newfound Gap.

Newfound Gap is a hot spot for tourists even on a chilling day like today. There’s a massive paved parking lot and heated bathrooms with flushing toilets.

The next five miles to the shelter I’m staying at tonight didn’t have as many views but for the majority I was walking through pine forests. I also passed by Indian Grave Gap which had no visitors at the moment.

I soon made it to Mt Collins Shelter. It’s .4 miles off trail and the spring is an additional .1 further. It’s also slightly downhill. I decided to pass the shelter and grab water first while I was warmed up. I wouldn’t want to do it later.

The setup is very similar to last nights. It’s also got a large tarp in the front to block some wind which is nice. I got here just before the sun went down.

I got setup and cooked some dinner. I activated some handwarmers for tonight and hung my bear bag once I was finished eating. Seems like it’s just me tonight. I’m surprised that nobody else is out here. Guess the cold is scaring people away.