Heading North on AT from TN

February - April 2024

A 41-day adventure by Lee Read more

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41days
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 9, 2024
- 🌧 55 °F
- Altitude: 784 m
- United States Tennessee Carter County Bear Stand Loss Hollow 36.26091, -82.11636436°15’39” N 82°6’59” W
Day 14
Day 12 of AT in TN NOBO
March 9 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
Slack-packed south from Wilbur Dam Rd (433.3) to Laurel Falls Trailhead US 321 (423.1)
Total Miles: 10.2

Linda from Black Bear Resort dropped me off up North at the Wilbur Dam Trailhead and took half of my stuff back (so it could dry out) to the “resort” that she owns with her husband Travis. I hiked south back to where I ended yesterday (Laurel Falls).

It poured all last night but the rain had stopped for the beginning of my hike at 9:30am. A very scenic first 5 miles: passed over the Wilbur Dam en route to circling most of Watauga Lake (2,000 ft Elev.). A lake resort type area in the summer months. I saw Mountain Squid (one of the leaders of Bob Peoples’ Hard Core trail crew) again and today he was training 4 new volunteers in the art of blowdown removal, tree cutting, rhododendron pruning, water drainage, etc. . Was great to talk to him and the group again.

The last 5 miles was going 2.5 miles up Pond Mtn (4,000 ft Elev.) and then straight back down the backside 2.5 miles to Laurel Falls. In the cold rain (45-50 degrees). Ugh.

Spent the night at Black Bear Resort and was able to do laundry, dry out my tent equipment, catch up on journal stuff and watch a little tv in their hiker common area. I was the only guest staying there tonight!Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 10, 2024, 8:28 PM
- 🌬 34 °F
- Altitude: 785 m
- United States Tennessee Carter County Bear Stand Loss Hollow 36.261093, -82.11598936°15’40” N 82°6’58” W
Day 15
Day 13: Zero day off Trail
March 10 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 34 °F
Zero Day at Black Bear Resort & Elizabethton, TN

Travis drove me 25 minutes and dropped me off in Elizabethton TN at 11am. It was Sunday and shops were closed, but I still enjoyed walking around in the sunny and warming weather.

Great lunch at El Charolais Mexican Restaurant, dessert across the street at Wendy’s (hello chocolate Frosty!) and then a beer at the Riverside Taphouse (a nice selection of Tennessee craft brews).

Linda picked me up at 4:00 and drove me back to Black Bear. The resort is right on a nice river with small riverside cabins a resupply store, and they will shuttle you anywhere for a reasonable charge. They are both very nice to us hikers, and they have everything we need for an enjoyable stay.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 11, 2024
- ☀️ 50 °F
- Altitude: 681 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845924, -81.49365236°50’45” N 81°29’37” W
Day 16
Day 14 of AT in TN NOBO
March 11 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
Wilbur Dam Rd (433.3) to Cross Mountain Trailhead/TN 91 (449.4)
Total Miles: 16.1

Most of today’s hike was fairly boring as it was a long, slow incline to TN 91 without many views. I could see Watauga Lake in the distance off to my right through the trees most of the way, and farmland/valley floor through the woods off to my left.

Pitched my tent in a small, informal area just off trail right before Cross Mountain Trailhead.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 12, 2024
- ☀️ 61 °F
- Altitude: 676 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.846237, -81.49379736°50’46” N 81°29’38” W
Day 17
Day 15 of AT in TN NOBO
March 12 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F
Cross Mountain Trailhead/ TN 91 (449.4) to stealth camping spot (464.7)
Total Miles: 15.3

The beginning of the hike was beautiful, clear skies and warming temps. Crossed a grazing wheat field straight away, with a couple of old barns for good measure.

Came up on Julia halfway through the day and we hiked together the rest of the afternoon.

As the late afternoon sun was waning, found a makeshift, trailside tenting area with flat ground and no widow-makers.

Went to sleep at 9pm to the shrieking noises of coyote pups about 100 yards away. Guessing that mom had just come back to the den with their evening meal.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 13, 2024
- ☀️ 64 °F
- Altitude: 677 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845784, -81.49376836°50’45” N 81°29’38” W
Day 18
Day 16 of AT in TN/VA NOBO
March 13 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Stealth camping spot (464.7) to Damascus, VA (471.0)
Total Miles: 6.3

Packed up at my tent spot and headed the 6 miles downhill into Damascus! Checked off another state. Now in VA for the next 544 miles. The longest stretch of any state on the trail.

Met Melissa & “Hill Flower”at the Library, which is the first place you come to when entering town. Hill Flower, her husband Honey & dog Beef Jerky actually thru-hiked the trail in 2022. Both of these gals were very nice and a wealth of info re Damascus and what to see/where to go.

After devouring a late lunch at the local diner, I Checked into the Dancing Bear Inn. Owned by Elizabeth and her husband Pat (2 retirees from Atlanta), I’m renting a private one bedroom in one of the detached units. Their place is right in the center of the small town, equidistant from both the entry and exit points of the AT.

Quickly walked the small, cute Main Street and got my bearings as this will be my “home base” for the next couple of days. The Damascus Outfitter is incredible and has every single item a hiker would ever need, including food resupply options. The Dairy King down at the corner, AWESOME vanilla milkshakes. The diner in the middle of town, amazing breakfast and lunch all day long.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 14, 2024
- ☀️ 73 °F
- Altitude: 677 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845742, -81.49382736°50’45” N 81°29’38” W
1
Day 19
Day 17 of AT in VA NOBO
March 14 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Grassy Ridge Rd. (485.8) southbound to Damascus, VA (471.0) to
Total Miles: 14.8

Slack-packed south back into town. Pat from The Dancing Bear Inn drove me up and dropped me off at 8:40am.

Started off cold (30 degrees) but warmed up to low 70’s by midday.

A beautiful day, and half the miles were trekking parallel to the rollicking Laurel River. Lots of water flow due to heavy recent rains.Read more
Traveler Beautiful…..feel like I’m walking the trail with you. Mom🥰
3/19/24Reply
Traveler I am loving following along from the comfort of my couch! I love your pictures and videos.
3/19/24Reply
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 15, 2024
- ☁️ 61 °F
- Altitude: 681 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845718, -81.49364536°50’45” N 81°29’37” W
Day 20
Day 18: Zero Day off trail in Damascus,
March 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
Getting hiking chores done & relaxing around town.
*Note: videos posted to this day were from the following day.
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 16, 2024
- ☀️ 63 °F
- Altitude: 681 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.84576, -81.49365236°50’45” N 81°29’37” W
Day 21
Day 19 of AT in VA NOBO
March 16 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Elk Garden Trail/VA Route 60 (495.2) southbound to Grassy Ridge Rd. (485.8) southbound
Total Miles: 9.4

Slack-packed south back to Grassy Ridge Rd. Pat drove me up and dropped me off at 8:45 am. Picked me up Grassy Ridge at 1:30.

After heavy rains yesterday and last night, today was sunny and cooler. Temps in the 50’s most of the day.

The first half of the day was shrouded in fog and mist, thus not much to see. The second half was sunny and warm. Crossed some idyllic fields and Xmas tree farms. See pics & videos.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 17, 2024
- ☁️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 680 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845693, -81.49370536°50’44” N 81°29’37” W
Day 22
Day 20 of AT in VA NOBO
March 17 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
Elk Garden Trail/VA Route 60 (495.2) to State Route 603 (512.2)
Total Miles: 17.0

Took off at 8:30 and I was on my way north towards Mt. Rogers and Grayson Highlands!

Mt. Rogers is the highest point in Virginia (5,726 ft) and it was a nice climb up to the rounded, pine covered top. Mostly cloudy and cool, but still some decent views.

After a couple of miles of descending from Rogers, I entered Grayson Highlands. The huge rock formations coupled with the balds made for a unique landscape.

Had been waiting for years to see the wild ponies in the Highlands, and at 1:00pm… success! Saw the most famous of the ponies, the dirty blond, long haired “Fabio”. He was hanging and munching with a brown pony friend. See pics & videos.

Headed mostly downhill the rest of the day; through the scenic Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, down the Pine Mountain Trail, to the Old Orchard Shelter just above State Route 603.Read more
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Traveler Heading North on AT from TN
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- Mar 18, 2024
- ☁️ 45 °F
- Altitude: 680 m
- United States Virginia Smyth County Mount Carmel Goodpasture Hollow 36.845646, -81.49362936°50’44” N 81°29’37” W
Day 23
Day 21 of AT in VA NOBO
March 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F
State Route 603 (512.2) to Slab Town Rd. (525.8).
Total Miles: 13.6

Started ascending right away once I crossed State Route 63 (1.5 miles into the day). It was a pretty 2.2 mile trek up to the top of Iron Mtn. .

Comers Creek Falls was a nice find for a midday respite.

Passed by a farm that had cows & goats right on the trail. The cows seemed amused by us hikers as we passed by making animal noises. And fairly authentic noises at that if you ask me.Read more
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