Dates ........ Sunday, May 5, 2002
Miles ........ 7.6 of the planned 14 miles
From ........ Tent camp at Stecoah Gap, NC 143
To ............. Yellow Creek Gap NC and on to Hike Inn, Brett injured.
Weather ... Mostly clear and sunny, 70's, humid, hazy.

Sunday, May 5, 2002

Sweetwater Gap, Hike Inn Hostel/motel - Robbinsville NC

Brett's knee had some strange sensations in it this morning, but not painful. His feet were fine. We had a fairly steep climb from Stecoah gap to Sweetwater then a very steep climb up out of Sweetwater Gap, over a humpy ridge, then down into Brown Fork Gap shelter. There was another large, recent fire burn area just before reaching the top coming out of Sweetwater gap. At the top of the climb I looked back and could see the last of the clouds leaving Cheoah bald. At Brown Fork Gap we met a woman hiking with her large, deaf dog, a very nice and friendly pooch.

The trail register indicated that Andy "Squidlyman" Hall was way ahead of us, and Pete "Peaks" Lane was also. There were plenty of complaints about the recent long climb up to Cheoah Bald and the climb up from Stecoah Gap. They were challenging and tough, to be sure. Brett's knee was starting to be a concern. We had a steep but short uphill, then a bumpy ridge ahead of us for the next 4 miles, then a steep downhill into Yellow Creek Gap. There were no road crossings until then, unless we hiked 2.5 miles back to Stecoah Gap. Brett took an Advil, wrapped his knee with an ace bandage and wanted to keep going, but at an easier pace.

At Hogback Ridge, we could see down into Fontana village and the lake/dam area, and beyond to the Great Smokey Mountains. It was beautiful. The warm sun on the forest floor brought out that fresh, clean woodsy scent that rises on a warm summer day. We started the descent into Yellow Creek Gap and Brett's knees started really hurting. No doubt the steep downhill was aggravating any strain or stress that his knees were suffering from.

Looking northeast from Hogback Ridge - Toward Fontana Lake. Clingmans Dome is on horizon - ¼ in from left.

At the bottom of the downhill, just before the trail broke into a gravel road, on the back of an official AT wooden sign was a handwritten notice to hikers that read: "Attention hikers - Injured or bad weather" Hike Inn Hostel - Take Right to dirt road, right onto paved road 2.5 miles to intersection. Left 300 yds to Hike Inn. Not an offer for a free ride……….." We sat down on the closed dirt road and weighed our options, with Brett having the decision making power. We could hike 1.1 miles to the next shelter, rest and see if the knee felt better, continue from there or return here, or we could go to the Hike Inn together (it looked like a mostly downhill roadwalk) or I could walk there and get someone to come get him (at Yellow Creek Gap.) or we could continue on and try for Fontana Village. Either way, Fontana Village was the last civilization before the Great and challenging Smokies. Once in the Smokies, its 40 miles to the next road crossing. Brett weighed his options carefully. He really wanted to continue but was fearful of damaging his painful knee more. He wisely decided to hobble slowly out to the Hike Inn and see how he felt once there. He was able to walk the smooth road by putting a lot of weight on his hiking sticks and keeping his troublesome knee stiff.

It was a slow and easy walk to the Inn. We were very well treated there. We spent time petting and admiring several of her nice dogs, looking over and learning about their fabulous American Indian artifact collection and museum and making plans for the next day. We showered, called home, got our laundry done and got a shuttle into Robbinsville to eat (Wendy's Hamburgers), buy groceries for breakfast and bread for my P&J sandwiches, and some more ACE bandage for Brett's ailing knee. On our way into Robbinsville, Nancy Hoch takes us past our last night's campsite at Stecoah Gap and we can see the silhouette profile mountain rising up out of Sweetwater Gap that we climbed the day before. No wonder Brett's knee is killing him! What a steep climb and descent.

Tomorrow our gracious and accommodating host would take us into Fontana village to get mail drops and drop me off at Fontana dam to continue. Brett had many choices as to how to get home but continuing the hike in the Smokies with me, most sadly, was not one of them. His knee did not improve with the brief rest.

As luck would have it, Larry "Chainsaw" was having his wife pick him up at Fontana Dam and there was a strong possibility Brett could ride most of the way home with them.

 

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