Category: Benton MacKaye Trail

Monday, May 13th, 2024, 0700-1730Newton Bald 52 to Laurel Gap Shelter, mm 277.725 miles, Gain: 6980′, Loss: 6490′, elevation 5440′ It was cloudy when I woke and I could tell the rain was coming early. But at least my tent was bone dry and would hopefully stay that way, if I could just make it to the shelter. The morning got off to a surprising and unsettling start. In the pre-dawn darkness, I went to retrieve my food bag from the bear cables. I had to go past the hammockers, so I was trying to be extra quiet. Just as I came abreast of them, out of the corner of my eye, I caught the motion of a large animal[…]

Sunday, May 12th, 2024, 0620-1920Chambers creek to Newton Bald 52, mm 253.132.5 miles, Gain: 7550′, Loss: 4250′, elevation 4950′ I woke to a clear morning for once in a long while. It was actually one of the driest and clearest days the whole trip, but still my tent was soaked with condensation, not surprisingly. About 5 miles into the beginning of this long day, I walked through the quarter mile ‘tunnel to nowhere’. It was was pretty creepy, with lots of dystopian-looking graffiti. This struck me as odd, being so far away from a city. In the middle of the tunnel, I couldn’t see my feet or the tread, so I was worried about stepping on a snake (or giant[…]

Thursday, May 9th, 2024, 0700-1830Hitch to Robinsville 6 mile road walk on the Cherohala Skyway The weather forecasters weren’t kidding when they posted multiple warnings for the night: severe thunderstorms, flooding and a tornado watch. Check, check and check. The thunderstorms hit just before midnight and lasted through dawn. There were multiple confirmed tornadoes that touched down in Tennessee, west of where I was. Rainfall was reported to be 5 to 9 inches throughout the area. The good news was that my miraculous site next to the skyway bridge proved to be a winner. Only a few of the strongest gusts of wind reached me, as opposed to if I’d camped on the bald, where I probably would have gotten[…]

Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, 0700-1950Sandy Gap to North River rd, mm 16627 miles, Gain: 6850′, Loss: 5130′, elevation 4275′ This was another day I went the whole day without seeing any people. Who knew there were still such isolated parts on the east coast? Travel a day on the BMT and you will experience some remoteness and isolation, I can almost guarantee it. It sprinkled just a little overnight but my tent was dry in the morning. After hiking just a mile further to another campsite, I was glad I didn’t push on the day before. The site was immersed in fog and dripping wet. The fog persisted through the morning and the trail became somewhat of a car wash.[…]

Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, 0715-1830Loss creek camp to Sandy Gap, mm 140.521 miles, Gain: 5010′, Loss: 3360′, elevation 2600′ I had a great sleep next to the creek and my tent was mostly dry in the morning…no rain overnight! I left my camp shoes on to ford the creek, then changed into my trail shoes. The remaining trail along the river was much easier than the day before. There was one small climb with a nice view of the canyon then back to the river for a final spell and a large creek crossing, but this time with a bridge. I almost ate it on the bridge though, since the wet wood was very slick. My trekking poles saved me,[…]

Monday, May 6th, 2024, 0715-2030No name site to Loss Creek camp, mm 121.618 miles, Gain: 3600′, Loss: 3300′, elevation 920′ It rained a little overnight again, which was no big deal. I hit the trail and made it 4 easy miles along some old road beds following a ridge. I missed the trail at a junction, but was rewarded with a short dirt road walk that probably actually saved me some time. I descended into the Lost Creek valley, where the heavens opened up again, letting out some torrential downpours. I began a pleasant and flat 3 mile trail along Big Lost Creek…that is it might have been pleasant if it wasn’t hammering rain and the lightning wasn’t crashing all[…]