Day 3 of AT in TN NOBO

Sam’s Gap trailhead (AT
Mile 320.0) to Spivey Gap (333.1)
Daily Mileage: 13.1

Lots of variety in today’s trek. Sam’s Gap parking is right next to I-26 which heads either north towards Johnson City, TN or south to Asheville, NC. From the small parking area you head straight uphill 6 miles to the top of Big Bald Mtn (Elev. 5,500 ft). Some of the best 360 degree views on the Southern AT (see video). Was cloudy but still majestic. On the 7 mile decent to Spivey Gap parking lot, I hit the tops of Little Bald (5,100 ft) and High Rocks (4,300 ft). Met a thru hiker named Julia (see pic) and hiked with her the last 3 miles to the Gap. A 60-something gal from NW Pennsylvania and a Harvard grad, she started on Jan 13 from Springer and is averaging about 9 miles a day. We’re ahead of the hiker bubble that’s coming north quickly (but still 2-3 weeks away) and she said I was the first person she’s hiked with. Super sweet person and a lot of fun to talk to. She hiked on today while I’m taking a zero day, so I’ll see her again up the road as we get closer to Roan Mountain.Baca lagi