First Day Back on Trail

Jones Meadow (AT Mile Marker 297.1) to Devil’s Fork Gap (311.4).
Daily Mileage: 14.3

Flew back down to Asheville, NC yesterday where Shuttler extraordinaire Nate picked me up and dropped me off at the Super 8 in Erwin, TN last night. This will be my home base for the next week as it’s conveniently located in the middle of my initial 80 mile
segment.

Nate picked me up this morning at 7am at my hotel and we drove 45 mins south to Jones Meadows trailhead. Jones Meadows is where I left off last Spring. Traversed the Whiterock & Blackstaff Cliffs and quickly made it to Big Firescald Knob (Elev. 4,530 ft.). Somewhat cloudy and 45 degrees, but still beautiful views of the valley below (including the far away cities of Greenville, TN & Newport, TN). Rock scrambled for a few miles downhill and then climbed Big Butt Mtn. A nice, 7.4 mile rambling descent down to Devil’s Fork Gap parking area where I ended my day. 65 degrees and sunny by the end.Read more