GA Hwy 60 at Wilscot Gap to Appalachian US Hwy 76
This was my first hike in the BMT. I never planned to do this hike. I had hoped to do a different hike with a friend, but I ended up having to go on a solo hike. At 1 PM on Christmas day, I start packing my pack. By 2 PM, I am on the road after deciding to do a 39.4 mile, out-and back hike as a spur of the moment hike. I had done so many point-to-point hikes with so many great people I forgot what it was like to have to do an out-and-back hike. As described in greater detail below, this was the first hike I did not like. I likely should have never left home for this rushed hike, but I wanted to take advantage of a longer Christmas weekend. I was woefully unprepared and I forgot several important pieces of gear and more importantly food at home. Unfortunately, this was the first hike I did not like. Don't get me wrong, I have had hikes that while hiking those last couple of miles I wasn't having a lot of fun but, when I get back to camp or home, I remember the hike fondly. None of that this hike. I just remember misery and hunger, and not because the trail is difficult. Well here is the description of this hike that looking back at it the best I can say is, "Eh, I guess it's done. I had a 21 + mile day, that is pretty cool."
I did this section again with RR who I am section hiking the BMT with. The video is from that May 2015 hike.
Previous Section: Springer Mountain To Wilscot Gap.
Next Section: Appalachian Hwy US 76 to Jacks River Intersection (Dally Gap).
I did this section again with RR who I am section hiking the BMT with. The video is from that May 2015 hike.
Previous Section: Springer Mountain To Wilscot Gap.
Next Section: Appalachian Hwy US 76 to Jacks River Intersection (Dally Gap).
Day 1 | December 25, 2014
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Start Location: GA 60 at Wilscot Gap (29.8 miles) NOBO
End Location: Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). Parking Location: GA 60 at Wilscot Gap (29.8 miles) Views: Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). Water Sources: Spring (30.7 miles) Campsites: Tipton Mt. Campsite (31.1 miles); and Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). BMT Distance: 3.2 miles Hiking Distance: 3.5 miles |
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I rushed to get to the trail. This was a spur of the moment hike. I packed my pack in record time and left. I had no snacks for this hike at home. I thought I would be able to pick some up along the way. Walmart and Kroger are usually open on Christmas day I thought. I had thought wrong. I pulled into an empty Kroger parking lot. Closed. I pulled into Walmart. Closed. Oh well, I had three meals with me that should get me through the hike. I had just finished eating a big lunch and wouldn't need food tonight. I thought I could eat lunch Friday, eat dinner Friday, and eat lunch on Saturday. I would make it back to the car around 2-3 pm where I could get food. I thought that would work.
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I arrived at Wilscot Gap off GA Hwy 60 (29.8 miles) at around 3:45 PM. I get out of my car and put my pack on the hood of my car. I go around and take some pictures of the gap. I make it back to my pack and I remember I forgot my knife at home. Worse yet, I forgot my titanium spoon as well. Perfect, now I had no food. Oh well, I thought. In 40 hours, I will be home eating as much as I want. After all, I have some reserves I can tap into.
As I begin to set out, I see something very disturbing. A dead dog? Coyote? This poor animal was completely flattened. Next to the fur of the animal, I find the animals skull. It was picked clean. I should have seen this as a sign and gone home. Instead, I look my car and begin my ascent up to Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). It was a short hike with a decent climb. I left Wilscot Gap around 4:15 pm. The trail climbs for the next 1.3 miles until you reach the summit of Tipton Mountain, which has a dry campsite here. From Tipton Mountain, I began to descend 500 feet to Ledford Gap (32.1 miles), which shares Forest Road 45 for 100 feet and then takes a hard right off the forest road.
I was less than a mile from my goal for the day, Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles), which I heard had a fire tower. I get up to the fire tower around 5:10 pm. I had done 3.2 miles in less than an hour. I had hoped I would increase my mph/mpd during this hike. I was off to a great start. I also had the additional incentive to get up there quickly because I would only have 45 minutes of daylight left to set up camp.
I get to the summit and I see the fire tower. To my great disappointment, there is no access to the fire tower. I had entertained the idea of spending the night on the fire tower. Unfortunately, with no access to the fire tower, I had very limited views. I put my pack down and get ready for the night. I had 3 liters of water on me. I drank .5 liters with what was going to be my only source of calories for the next couple of days, Powerade drink mix. I set up camp quickly and watch the sunset from my tent. I pull out my guidebook and briefly look at the hike to come. At 10 pm, I try to go to sleep. I think i may have actually gone to sleep before 12 am, a rare occurrence on the trail; an impossible occurrence in real life.
As I begin to set out, I see something very disturbing. A dead dog? Coyote? This poor animal was completely flattened. Next to the fur of the animal, I find the animals skull. It was picked clean. I should have seen this as a sign and gone home. Instead, I look my car and begin my ascent up to Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). It was a short hike with a decent climb. I left Wilscot Gap around 4:15 pm. The trail climbs for the next 1.3 miles until you reach the summit of Tipton Mountain, which has a dry campsite here. From Tipton Mountain, I began to descend 500 feet to Ledford Gap (32.1 miles), which shares Forest Road 45 for 100 feet and then takes a hard right off the forest road.
I was less than a mile from my goal for the day, Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles), which I heard had a fire tower. I get up to the fire tower around 5:10 pm. I had done 3.2 miles in less than an hour. I had hoped I would increase my mph/mpd during this hike. I was off to a great start. I also had the additional incentive to get up there quickly because I would only have 45 minutes of daylight left to set up camp.
I get to the summit and I see the fire tower. To my great disappointment, there is no access to the fire tower. I had entertained the idea of spending the night on the fire tower. Unfortunately, with no access to the fire tower, I had very limited views. I put my pack down and get ready for the night. I had 3 liters of water on me. I drank .5 liters with what was going to be my only source of calories for the next couple of days, Powerade drink mix. I set up camp quickly and watch the sunset from my tent. I pull out my guidebook and briefly look at the hike to come. At 10 pm, I try to go to sleep. I think i may have actually gone to sleep before 12 am, a rare occurrence on the trail; an impossible occurrence in real life.
Day 2 | Friday, December 26, 2014
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Start Location: Siler Bald (114.4 miles)Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles). Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles).Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles).NOBO
Mid Point: Appalachian Hwy US 76 (49.5 miles) (SOBO) End Location: Campsite (45.0 miles). Parking Location: Winding Stair Gap, US 64 (109.8 miles); Rock Gap (106.1 miles); and USFS Road 67 (100.3 miles).Siler Bald (114.4 miles)Dail Road Gap (35.6 miles); Stanley Creek Road (37.7 miles); Fall Branch Falls (40.8 miles); Appalachian Hwy US 76. Siler Bald (114.4 miles)GA 60 at Wilscot Gap (29.8 miles)Views: Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles); Toccoa River (37 miles); Falls Branch Falls (41 miles); Scroggin Knob (45.6 miles). Water Sources: Garland Gap (34.0 miles) (97.6 miles); Toccoa River (36.9 miles); Fall Branch Falls (41.0 miles); Laurel Creek Campsite (46.7 miles). Campsites: Brawley Mountain (33.0 miles); Garland Gap (34.0 miles) (97.6 miles); Fall Branch Falls Campsite (41.1 miles); Campsite (45.0 miles) and Laurel Creek Campsite (46.7 miles). BMTBMT Distance: 16.5 miles (NOBO) BMT Distance: 4.5 miles (SOBO) Hiking Distance: 21.4 miles |
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It was a fairly cold night, but I was nice and warm in my tent. My alarm clock goes off at 7:30 am. I wanted to wake up at 6:30 am, but when it did go off, it was way, way to cold. By 8:15, I had finished packing and taking some morning pictures of the sunrise over Brawley Mountain.
I was off. From Brawley Mountain there is an approximate 600 fairly gradual descent into Garland Gap (34 miles), where there is a campsite and water. I had made it down a mile in a little less 20 minutes. I needed to keep this pace if I was going to have the huge day I planned. I wasn't hungry this morning although I could have obviously eaten breakfast. From Garland Gap, there is a brief climb and then a 800 foot descent to Old Dial Road (35.6 miles). It was 9:00 am. I had done 2.6 miles since leaving Brawley Mountain in 45 minutes although mostly downhill. A good pace. I needed to keep this up. |
After leaving Old Dail Road, I began an approximately 300 foot, 0.6 mile ascent to Free Knob (36.2 miles). From here I began the nearly 350 foot descent to Shallowford Bridge Road (36.9 miles). I arrived here around 9:30 am. I did 1.3 miles about 30 minutes. My pace had slowed a little, but I had the 3.9 mile road walk coming. I was expecting to do the 3.9 mile road walk in less than an hour, which is exactly what I did. Leaving the BMT forest portion of the trail, I turn right on Shallowford Bridge road. It is a gravel road. There are white blazes to help navigate you through this road walk. I turned left onto Shallowford Bridge and then crossed the bridge where I turned right onto Aska Road. I missed the Iron Bridge Cafe. It is hard to miss, but on the way down I had no clue it was there since I had done so little planning for this hike. I wish had found it and took time to eat a lunch here. It would have likely made this hike so much more enjoyable. Oh well. Spilt milk. I followed it for 0.2 miles where Stanley Creek Road intersected Aska road from the left. I turn left and I begin the very gradual climb up Stanley Creek Road to Falls Branch Falls (41.0) miles.
I made it to Falls Branch Falls by 10:40 am. I had done 3.9 mile road walk in approximately 55 minutes. That was a good pace. So far this morning, my pace was 3.2 mph. I need to keep the pace at about 3 mph to reach my goal. With a parking lot .2 miles from the Falls, this is a very popular location for day hikers. I spend 10 minutes talking to hikers, taking pictures, wishing I had a clif bar to eat. I underestimated the road walk as I began the 1,200 foot climb to Rocky Mountain. My legs were sore already from the road walk I believe, which I found very weird.
During the climb up Rocky Mountain, Stanley Gap Trail Intersects and joins the BMT (41.9 miles). From here the trail continues its moderate climb and it skirts the summit of Rocky Mountain (43.3 miles). I reach Rocky Mountain just before 1:00 pm. My pace had taken a hit. I had only done 2.3 miles in about an hour, but it was a constant climb. From here, the trail more or less descended until you reach Weaver Creek Road. At 45 miles, you come to a campsite. I thought this would be a good place to camp if I didn't make it my anticipated 24 miles. I continue to push on. I reach Laurel Creek Campsite (46.7 miles) and refill my water. So far, I had only had 3 liters in 24 hours. I need to drink more than that, but I don't want to waste time filtering water. I fill my bladder with almost 2 liters and quickly take off. Just after 2:00 pm, I reach Weaver Creek Road. I had done 3.4 miles in just over an hour. This portion of the hike was mostly downhill 1,400 feet which helped.
However, I had a decision to make. I was starting to get hungry and tired. I had done 13.7 miles by 2 pm. I had 3 1/2 hours left of daylight to do the upcoming 2.6 mile road walk, then turn around and do the same 2.6 mile road walk. I decided to push on to not leave any annoying gaps. I made it to Appalachian Hwy US 76 in less than 40 minutes. I quickly turn around and do the same hike back in another 40 minutes. It is just before 3:30 pm when I reach Laurel Creek Campsite again. I am hungry and so tired.
At this point, I think I was more tired than hungry. I had done 18.9 miles in just over 7 hours. My pace wasn't good enough. I had done 2.7 miles per hour average. While it is better than my average, it wasn't much better than my average. Not as much as I needed to make it to my goal 5.7 miles away and included a 1,400 foot ascent. I had about 2 hours of daylight left, even if I kept my normal pace, I wouldn't make it. I strongly considered camping at Laurel Creek Campsite. It was a nice campsite; it had easily accessible water nearby. But I didn't want to start my hike tomorrow with a huge climb and a 16.9 mile day. So I decided to pack up, fill up another 1/2 a litter of water (my only caloric intake for the day) and head out. This climb was brutal. Not because of the climb itself. It was more about being physically tired and very hungry. My energy was depleted. I briefly flirted with the idea of the camp near the summit of Rocky Mountain. I passed the campsite with water at 45 miles. Shortly after passing this designated campsite, the climb became too much. 5 minutes on the trail felt like 30 minutes. 0.1 miles felt like 0.5 miles. It felt like I was moving in place. My mind was done. It had reached its limit. Hiking was no longer fun. I started looking for any flat ground possible.
On a switch back, I found a bit of flat ground just off the trail. I decided to make camp here around 4:45 pm. Not having to cook a meal, I had my tent up, I was in my sleeping bag before dark. I enjoyed the sunset from my tent and then looked at my guidebook for the next hour. I had too much time to kill. As tired as I was, I wasn't sleepy. I am never sleepy on the trail, which likely means I am not tired enough. I read the trail guide book for about an hour. I noticed I missed the Iron Bridge Cafe. It was more or less 8 miles from my "campsite." I was going to have my first meal there. I was done reading around 8:30 pm, and I sat in my tent trying to go to sleep when I heard a large animal outside my tent for the first time. Not going to lie, my mind immediately thought bear. It kind of freaked me out. It was dark outside. I was sleeping with the food I could not eat with me in my tent. I said hello and I heard heavy footfalls scurry away from my tent. It was the first time I heard something like that. I was not a happy camper. Tired. Hungry. And now a little worried I was going to be eaten by a bear, regardless of how irrational that fear in fact is.
Around 9:00 pm, I set my alarm clock for 10:00 pm. I was going to wake every hour to moderately yell out "hey bear, go away bear." Shockingly, I actually feel asleep and I was awoken by the alarm clock. I rarely go to sleep before 12:00 am. I say "hey bear, go away bear" and I set my alarm for 11:00 PM. Again and feel asleep briefly and was awaken by the alarm. I repeated this ritual one more time at midnight. By then I was ready for real sleep. I set my alarm for 3:00 am were I would say "hey bear, go away bear." Unfortunately, this time it took me awhile to go to sleep. After about 2 hours of sleep, I am awaken by my alarm. I thought that was enough and I set my alarm clock for 7:30 am and off to blissful sleep I went until morning.
I made it to Falls Branch Falls by 10:40 am. I had done 3.9 mile road walk in approximately 55 minutes. That was a good pace. So far this morning, my pace was 3.2 mph. I need to keep the pace at about 3 mph to reach my goal. With a parking lot .2 miles from the Falls, this is a very popular location for day hikers. I spend 10 minutes talking to hikers, taking pictures, wishing I had a clif bar to eat. I underestimated the road walk as I began the 1,200 foot climb to Rocky Mountain. My legs were sore already from the road walk I believe, which I found very weird.
During the climb up Rocky Mountain, Stanley Gap Trail Intersects and joins the BMT (41.9 miles). From here the trail continues its moderate climb and it skirts the summit of Rocky Mountain (43.3 miles). I reach Rocky Mountain just before 1:00 pm. My pace had taken a hit. I had only done 2.3 miles in about an hour, but it was a constant climb. From here, the trail more or less descended until you reach Weaver Creek Road. At 45 miles, you come to a campsite. I thought this would be a good place to camp if I didn't make it my anticipated 24 miles. I continue to push on. I reach Laurel Creek Campsite (46.7 miles) and refill my water. So far, I had only had 3 liters in 24 hours. I need to drink more than that, but I don't want to waste time filtering water. I fill my bladder with almost 2 liters and quickly take off. Just after 2:00 pm, I reach Weaver Creek Road. I had done 3.4 miles in just over an hour. This portion of the hike was mostly downhill 1,400 feet which helped.
However, I had a decision to make. I was starting to get hungry and tired. I had done 13.7 miles by 2 pm. I had 3 1/2 hours left of daylight to do the upcoming 2.6 mile road walk, then turn around and do the same 2.6 mile road walk. I decided to push on to not leave any annoying gaps. I made it to Appalachian Hwy US 76 in less than 40 minutes. I quickly turn around and do the same hike back in another 40 minutes. It is just before 3:30 pm when I reach Laurel Creek Campsite again. I am hungry and so tired.
At this point, I think I was more tired than hungry. I had done 18.9 miles in just over 7 hours. My pace wasn't good enough. I had done 2.7 miles per hour average. While it is better than my average, it wasn't much better than my average. Not as much as I needed to make it to my goal 5.7 miles away and included a 1,400 foot ascent. I had about 2 hours of daylight left, even if I kept my normal pace, I wouldn't make it. I strongly considered camping at Laurel Creek Campsite. It was a nice campsite; it had easily accessible water nearby. But I didn't want to start my hike tomorrow with a huge climb and a 16.9 mile day. So I decided to pack up, fill up another 1/2 a litter of water (my only caloric intake for the day) and head out. This climb was brutal. Not because of the climb itself. It was more about being physically tired and very hungry. My energy was depleted. I briefly flirted with the idea of the camp near the summit of Rocky Mountain. I passed the campsite with water at 45 miles. Shortly after passing this designated campsite, the climb became too much. 5 minutes on the trail felt like 30 minutes. 0.1 miles felt like 0.5 miles. It felt like I was moving in place. My mind was done. It had reached its limit. Hiking was no longer fun. I started looking for any flat ground possible.
On a switch back, I found a bit of flat ground just off the trail. I decided to make camp here around 4:45 pm. Not having to cook a meal, I had my tent up, I was in my sleeping bag before dark. I enjoyed the sunset from my tent and then looked at my guidebook for the next hour. I had too much time to kill. As tired as I was, I wasn't sleepy. I am never sleepy on the trail, which likely means I am not tired enough. I read the trail guide book for about an hour. I noticed I missed the Iron Bridge Cafe. It was more or less 8 miles from my "campsite." I was going to have my first meal there. I was done reading around 8:30 pm, and I sat in my tent trying to go to sleep when I heard a large animal outside my tent for the first time. Not going to lie, my mind immediately thought bear. It kind of freaked me out. It was dark outside. I was sleeping with the food I could not eat with me in my tent. I said hello and I heard heavy footfalls scurry away from my tent. It was the first time I heard something like that. I was not a happy camper. Tired. Hungry. And now a little worried I was going to be eaten by a bear, regardless of how irrational that fear in fact is.
Around 9:00 pm, I set my alarm clock for 10:00 pm. I was going to wake every hour to moderately yell out "hey bear, go away bear." Shockingly, I actually feel asleep and I was awoken by the alarm clock. I rarely go to sleep before 12:00 am. I say "hey bear, go away bear" and I set my alarm for 11:00 PM. Again and feel asleep briefly and was awaken by the alarm. I repeated this ritual one more time at midnight. By then I was ready for real sleep. I set my alarm for 3:00 am were I would say "hey bear, go away bear." Unfortunately, this time it took me awhile to go to sleep. After about 2 hours of sleep, I am awaken by my alarm. I thought that was enough and I set my alarm clock for 7:30 am and off to blissful sleep I went until morning.
Day 3 | Saturday, December 27, 2014
I woke fairly refreshed. My legs felt good, and I wasn't that hungry. I had always been like that. If I went to bed hungry, I would always wake up in the morning either less hungry or not hungry at all. I didn't wake up not hungry at all, but I'd say my hunger was at a 2-3 out of 10 that morning. I felt good. I felt like I had energy. I drank a liter of powerade-mixed water. I was thankful for that powerade mixture; it was my only source of calories for almost 1 1/2 days now.
I broke camp around 8:15 am. I had 14.7 mile hike back to my car. An easy day by any measure. I set out and finish the 500 foot climb to Rocky Mountain with decent time. My goal was to do my usual hiking pace, between 2.25 to 2.5 mph. As I began the descent down Rocky Mountain, however, my energy levels dropped completely. Even going downhill I was struggling to hike continuously for 45 minutes without a break. I made it to Falls Branch Falls around 9:45 pm. While climbing down to Stanley Creek Road to begin the road walk, I hoped that I could hitch a ride at least to Aska Road. Then I met Tyrone from Louisiana, we talked for about 10 minutes. I asked if he could give me a ride, but he wasn't sure if he was going to same way. We parted ways and I made my way to the road. There I met the rest of his family. Someone from the car asked me what I was doing. After my explanation, she said "that is great! Can I get a picture?" I thought, "only if I can get a ride", but I actually said "sure." She got her picture and wished me luck. I began to make my way down to Aska road. About 5 minutes later, I notice the truck behind me. Tyrone said, "it looks like we are going the same way, get in the back of the truck." When we got to Aska about 3 miles away, I waved to let him know I needed to get off. He was turning left on Aska; I was heading right. I thanked him for the ride and said goodbye. This was a huge win. Instead of an hour of hiking to do 3.6 miles to the Iron Bridge Cafe, all I needed was 0.2 miles. Hope renewed, I made it there in no time.
I put my pack down outside the Cafe and went in. I order a cup of coffee and put a diabetes amount of sugar in it. I order the breakfast special. To this day I remember what I ate. 2 slices of wheat toast. Scrambled eggs. Three pieces of bacon. And a fair size helping of grits. It was SO GOOD! Before leaving, I also bought a bag of skittles and a powerade. After letting my food digest for 10 minutes, I thanked them 100 times and I was off with renewed energy. All I had before me was a 7.1 mile hike. 3 hours, I thought. It was 10:30 am when I left Iron Bridge Cafe.
Unfortunately, that energy lasted for less than 1/2 a mile. The small 300 climb to Free Knob (36.2 miles) hurt me. I reached Dial Road. (35.6 miles). I knew I had an 800 foot climb followed by 200 foot descent followed by a 600 foot climb up Brawley Mountain. Somehow, after numerous 2-3 minute breaks I made it Garland Gap (34 miles). That 800 foot climb broke me. Time slowed to a crawl as did my legs. I took a 5 minute break at Garland Gap and prepare what little wits I had left for the 600 foot, 1 mile climb to Brawley Mountain. I told myself I will make it up without a break. I demanded it. The food and skittles had to start giving me energy, right? Instead of giving me energy, it felt like the food had done the opposite. After calling myself several names to get myself mad to give me the energy to make it up in one go. I was off. I counted every other step. I had employed this trick before. I got to 100. Then another 100. Then a third 100. A fourth. I wanted 500. I didn't get it. About about 0.7 miles into the climb, I needed to stop for a short break. I took the last swig of my water and ate the last few skittles I was saving. I cursed at myself. I cursed at the trail. I just cursed at everyone and everything. Using this anger, I made it up to Brawley Mountain. I didn't stop at the summit; instead, I immediately made my way down. I wanted off this trail. I made it Ledford Gap (32.1 miles). I thought I was going to be able to ride this anger all the way down. However, the 500 foot climb up Tipton Mt (31.1 miles) KOed me. I was broken mentally. I was broken physically. For the last 2 miles, my quads were cramping with every steep. It seemed like anger was the only thing that fueled me, and it had ran out. I had yet to feel any benefit of the meal. In my anger, I said it was a waste of money. Maybe it was. After several breaks, and what felt like hours to my broken mind, I made it to Tipton Mt. From here, the trail was downhill for 1.3 miles and 700 feet. Yet still, I couldn't make it down in 1 or even 2 goes. I needed three breaks. My legs cramped with every step. I was just so tired. It was only 1.3 miles and downhill to boot. Less than 30 minutes normally. But it felt like I was 10 miles and 5 hours away. I actually made it down in decent time, but it just felt like it took three times as long as it actually did. I had done the final 7.1 miles in 3 3/4 hours. It wasn't a great pace, but it was basically 1.9 mph. Unfortunately, it felt like I was traveling 1.1 mph.
As I approach Wilscot Gap, I feel great relief. When I see my car, I get a little boost of energy. Not from the food, the diabetes coffee, nor the skittles, but from the knowledge that it was finally over after what seemed like a 1,000 hour ordeal. The most enjoyable part of today's hike was the drive home.
Thinking back, I enjoyed day 1 and day 2 to a lesser extent. The only real low was really day 3.
And so concluded my worst day of hiking.
Previous Section: Springer Mountain To Wilscot Gap.
Next Section: Appalachian Hwy US 76 to Jacks River Intersection (Dally Gap).
I broke camp around 8:15 am. I had 14.7 mile hike back to my car. An easy day by any measure. I set out and finish the 500 foot climb to Rocky Mountain with decent time. My goal was to do my usual hiking pace, between 2.25 to 2.5 mph. As I began the descent down Rocky Mountain, however, my energy levels dropped completely. Even going downhill I was struggling to hike continuously for 45 minutes without a break. I made it to Falls Branch Falls around 9:45 pm. While climbing down to Stanley Creek Road to begin the road walk, I hoped that I could hitch a ride at least to Aska Road. Then I met Tyrone from Louisiana, we talked for about 10 minutes. I asked if he could give me a ride, but he wasn't sure if he was going to same way. We parted ways and I made my way to the road. There I met the rest of his family. Someone from the car asked me what I was doing. After my explanation, she said "that is great! Can I get a picture?" I thought, "only if I can get a ride", but I actually said "sure." She got her picture and wished me luck. I began to make my way down to Aska road. About 5 minutes later, I notice the truck behind me. Tyrone said, "it looks like we are going the same way, get in the back of the truck." When we got to Aska about 3 miles away, I waved to let him know I needed to get off. He was turning left on Aska; I was heading right. I thanked him for the ride and said goodbye. This was a huge win. Instead of an hour of hiking to do 3.6 miles to the Iron Bridge Cafe, all I needed was 0.2 miles. Hope renewed, I made it there in no time.
I put my pack down outside the Cafe and went in. I order a cup of coffee and put a diabetes amount of sugar in it. I order the breakfast special. To this day I remember what I ate. 2 slices of wheat toast. Scrambled eggs. Three pieces of bacon. And a fair size helping of grits. It was SO GOOD! Before leaving, I also bought a bag of skittles and a powerade. After letting my food digest for 10 minutes, I thanked them 100 times and I was off with renewed energy. All I had before me was a 7.1 mile hike. 3 hours, I thought. It was 10:30 am when I left Iron Bridge Cafe.
Unfortunately, that energy lasted for less than 1/2 a mile. The small 300 climb to Free Knob (36.2 miles) hurt me. I reached Dial Road. (35.6 miles). I knew I had an 800 foot climb followed by 200 foot descent followed by a 600 foot climb up Brawley Mountain. Somehow, after numerous 2-3 minute breaks I made it Garland Gap (34 miles). That 800 foot climb broke me. Time slowed to a crawl as did my legs. I took a 5 minute break at Garland Gap and prepare what little wits I had left for the 600 foot, 1 mile climb to Brawley Mountain. I told myself I will make it up without a break. I demanded it. The food and skittles had to start giving me energy, right? Instead of giving me energy, it felt like the food had done the opposite. After calling myself several names to get myself mad to give me the energy to make it up in one go. I was off. I counted every other step. I had employed this trick before. I got to 100. Then another 100. Then a third 100. A fourth. I wanted 500. I didn't get it. About about 0.7 miles into the climb, I needed to stop for a short break. I took the last swig of my water and ate the last few skittles I was saving. I cursed at myself. I cursed at the trail. I just cursed at everyone and everything. Using this anger, I made it up to Brawley Mountain. I didn't stop at the summit; instead, I immediately made my way down. I wanted off this trail. I made it Ledford Gap (32.1 miles). I thought I was going to be able to ride this anger all the way down. However, the 500 foot climb up Tipton Mt (31.1 miles) KOed me. I was broken mentally. I was broken physically. For the last 2 miles, my quads were cramping with every steep. It seemed like anger was the only thing that fueled me, and it had ran out. I had yet to feel any benefit of the meal. In my anger, I said it was a waste of money. Maybe it was. After several breaks, and what felt like hours to my broken mind, I made it to Tipton Mt. From here, the trail was downhill for 1.3 miles and 700 feet. Yet still, I couldn't make it down in 1 or even 2 goes. I needed three breaks. My legs cramped with every step. I was just so tired. It was only 1.3 miles and downhill to boot. Less than 30 minutes normally. But it felt like I was 10 miles and 5 hours away. I actually made it down in decent time, but it just felt like it took three times as long as it actually did. I had done the final 7.1 miles in 3 3/4 hours. It wasn't a great pace, but it was basically 1.9 mph. Unfortunately, it felt like I was traveling 1.1 mph.
As I approach Wilscot Gap, I feel great relief. When I see my car, I get a little boost of energy. Not from the food, the diabetes coffee, nor the skittles, but from the knowledge that it was finally over after what seemed like a 1,000 hour ordeal. The most enjoyable part of today's hike was the drive home.
Thinking back, I enjoyed day 1 and day 2 to a lesser extent. The only real low was really day 3.
And so concluded my worst day of hiking.
Previous Section: Springer Mountain To Wilscot Gap.
Next Section: Appalachian Hwy US 76 to Jacks River Intersection (Dally Gap).