Dates ........ Saturday, September 15, 2001
Miles ........ 12.5 miles, 2650' climb
From ........ Flint Mt. Shelter
To ............. Tent camp 1.25 miles north of Sam's Gap
Weather ... Chilly 40degF AM, clear. Warming to 70 degF.

Saturday, September 15, 2001

Sugarloaf Knob (4560'), Frozen Knob (4579'), High Rock (4460'), Sam's Gap (3800').

It was a cool, crisp start and a very clear morning. I enjoyed a three mile downhill to Boone Cove Road (2960') near Devil Fork Gap with only a few hundred feet in climbing. In Devil Fork Gap I met a trail outfitter that was dropping off a few hikers going the other way. I took a break there, removing the legs from my pants (making them shorts) and removing my long sleeve shirt. Then I had a steep climb, very steep at times, along a stream with a pretty waterfall, past a family gravesite and old barn, up to Frozen knob at 4579' elevation.

My spirits and energy levels were high; I knew that I was headed to Sam's Gap where I could get good food and call home. Also, I was enjoying the sound of rushing water from the stream the AT was following.

After reaching the 4579' high wooded summit of Frozen Kbob, the trail descended to a gap then climbed again to the summit at High Rock, 4460 feet high. A short side trail, unmarked but noted in the guidebook, led to a precipitously high and treacherous rock outcrop that had a great view of the valley below and adjacent hillside with its new highway construction . Shortly afterward, the trail leveled off and opened up on a high descending ridgeline, affording beautiful views to the north and northeast. A new highway was being constructed on the sides of the adjacent mountains. It was the perfect day and place to sit for a while, rest my weary, aching feet, take some photos and eat a leisurely lunch.

From High Rock ridge, looking generally northeast, across the valley to the new highway construction.

As I resumed hiking and headed down towards Sams Gap, I could hear the whirr, clanking and roar of construction equipment louder and louder as I got close to Sams Gap. Clear, sunny and warm, it was a perfect day. I got to the gap and construction site and, as I was studying my map to determine which way (right or left) to go, a high school boy stopped and offered me a ride to the restaurant.

The Little Creek Café' was a small diner along the old highway. I got there just before closing time: 2:55 PM. I ordered up a double burger with the works, a large coke, a slice of lemon pie and three turkey breast sandwiches - with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo, on whole wheat, to go. Everything was great but the pie was old and soggy. They didn't have a pay phone and were only interested in closing up and going home. Next door was a general store - really, just a highway souvenir and semi-convenience store. Out front sat the kid running the place, in the sun on an old wooden rocker. I asked for some AAA batteries - they had none. A pay phone - they had none, but I could use the store phone if it was a local or credit card call. The lad was nice and friendly and interested in my hike. Where was I going, where had I come from, how far was I hiking in one day, and so forth. I answered all his questions and carried on a conversation as I tried to hitch a ride from in front of the store.

I called home; everything here and there was fine. I told them I would hike until near dark and should be a little ahead of schedule by the end of the day.

I had a terrible time hitching back up to the trailhead. I didn't think I looked like a Middle-Eastern terrorist, but recent events evidently made people more nervous than usual, even in trail towns. Traffic was heavy; I should've had a ride in 15 minutes but had no ride after an hour and a half. Desperate, and not wanting to climb all the way back up the mountain with a full pack, I offered the landscaper that was mowing the country store's lawn $5.00 for a ride back to the trail. He agreed and I was dropped back at the construction site at the Tenn/NC state line where the AT crossed.

I'd lost precious hiking time trying to get a ride but it would have worn me out and taken over two hours to hike back up the mountain, anyway. I pushed on over the mountain top and hiked about 1.25 miles before I found a nice tentsite, just about dusk. I had no extra water, but I was confident I could get adequate water tomorrow morning. I set up my tent, hung my food from a tree and got into my sleeping bag. It was a beautiful sunset and I could feel the temperature drop as the sun went down behind the mountains. I got the NPR news update, ate one of the delicious turkey sandwiches, brushed my teeth and went to bed, enjoying a night's sleep free of the annoyances of little critters.

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