Day 1
After the busy holiday, I needed some trail time so planned a two day trip to hike a few miles on the BMT. As usual, my plan fell apart but it was still a fabulous and relaxing trip.
The plan was to park at Tapoco Lodge and hike 1.6 mi SOBO to Yellowhammer Gap, where I ended my last hike. I would turn around and hike back, drive to Robbinsville, NC for the night, then return and hike NOBO.
After a fun drive on the Tail of the Dragon (I only saw three other vehicles), I arrived at Tapoco Lodge to find it closed for the month and a gate across the entrance. Cursing myself for not checking their website, uncertain about wandering onto their property, and not having cell service to call, I drove down the closest road to find a place to park and think. This was Meadow Branch Rd. and lo and behold, there's the trailhead for the BMT NOBO with a small parking spot close by.
As a section hiker, I try to finish where it is easy to resume at a later date. The only places where this looks possible in this section is at Old Field Gap Rd. (1.8 mi one way) or Fontana Heights Rd (~8 mi one way). There's a lot of walking on Forest Service roads but I don't know which ones are gated. Wanting to get on the trail, I headed to Old Field Gap Rd.
It was a steep beginning that left me gasping but quickly warmed me up. The weather was overcast and cold with snow flurries. I love hiking in cold weather, it's peaceful and invigorating. There are some great views in this stretch and lots of steep, narrow trail.
I arrived at Old Field Gap Rd. but wasn't ready to turn around so walked 0.5 mi down the FS road and turned onto the BMT, climbing up into the woods. I stopped for a quick lunch and headed back to the car.
With lots of daylight left, I drove to Fontana to look around as I've only been there a few times. The drive through the mountains was really enjoyable, passing several dams and interesting cliffs. In Fontana, I saw several places to park with access to the trail.
Resuming the pleasant drive through the mountains, I headed to Robbinsville, NC, and my small cabin at The Simple Life campground ($28). Along the way, I was excited to see where the AT crosses the highway at Stecoah Gap.
Dinner was delicious Mexican food at El Pacifico. Disappointingly, it's a dry county so I didn't have beer with my dinner but thank goodness I brought one for later.
The campground was cool and I was the only one there but the cabin was freezing inside. There was a small electric heater but after an hour, I was still shaking from cold and wearing my cold weather clothes. I crawled under the covers and seriously thought about driving home. Determined to stick it out, I waited and finally warmed up enough to enjoy my beer and book and get a good nights sleep.
After the busy holiday, I needed some trail time so planned a two day trip to hike a few miles on the BMT. As usual, my plan fell apart but it was still a fabulous and relaxing trip.
The plan was to park at Tapoco Lodge and hike 1.6 mi SOBO to Yellowhammer Gap, where I ended my last hike. I would turn around and hike back, drive to Robbinsville, NC for the night, then return and hike NOBO.
After a fun drive on the Tail of the Dragon (I only saw three other vehicles), I arrived at Tapoco Lodge to find it closed for the month and a gate across the entrance. Cursing myself for not checking their website, uncertain about wandering onto their property, and not having cell service to call, I drove down the closest road to find a place to park and think. This was Meadow Branch Rd. and lo and behold, there's the trailhead for the BMT NOBO with a small parking spot close by.
As a section hiker, I try to finish where it is easy to resume at a later date. The only places where this looks possible in this section is at Old Field Gap Rd. (1.8 mi one way) or Fontana Heights Rd (~8 mi one way). There's a lot of walking on Forest Service roads but I don't know which ones are gated. Wanting to get on the trail, I headed to Old Field Gap Rd.
It was a steep beginning that left me gasping but quickly warmed me up. The weather was overcast and cold with snow flurries. I love hiking in cold weather, it's peaceful and invigorating. There are some great views in this stretch and lots of steep, narrow trail.
I arrived at Old Field Gap Rd. but wasn't ready to turn around so walked 0.5 mi down the FS road and turned onto the BMT, climbing up into the woods. I stopped for a quick lunch and headed back to the car.
With lots of daylight left, I drove to Fontana to look around as I've only been there a few times. The drive through the mountains was really enjoyable, passing several dams and interesting cliffs. In Fontana, I saw several places to park with access to the trail.
Resuming the pleasant drive through the mountains, I headed to Robbinsville, NC, and my small cabin at The Simple Life campground ($28). Along the way, I was excited to see where the AT crosses the highway at Stecoah Gap.
Dinner was delicious Mexican food at El Pacifico. Disappointingly, it's a dry county so I didn't have beer with my dinner but thank goodness I brought one for later.
The campground was cool and I was the only one there but the cabin was freezing inside. There was a small electric heater but after an hour, I was still shaking from cold and wearing my cold weather clothes. I crawled under the covers and seriously thought about driving home. Determined to stick it out, I waited and finally warmed up enough to enjoy my beer and book and get a good nights sleep.
Lost in the right direction.
. I think that cabin is usually $38. The $28 cabin has a twin bed. It was a little weird being the only one in the campground. 
