April 14, 2006: Cold Spring Shelter to Sassafras Gap...18.4mi

Rose to a chilly morning and out by 0715...Was fortunate enough to come across 2 large white tail deer who were grazing along a ridge right on the trail...One disappeared into the brush, the other ran off down the trail onto a more narrow ridge giving me another look before he finally found some place to jump off the trail back into the wilderness... I never regret getting out early...its the only time I ever get to witness some of the wildlife... I arrived at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) for lunch...quite a long and steep decent which resulted in an inflamed tendon in my Left shin...my first shin splint!! The snack bar is open at the NOC so I order a couple of hot dogs with a coke and relax in the sun watching the river and rafters pass by... I chat with a number of tourists who are quite taken with all the hikers. The NOC has a bunk house that holds a number of hikers and my friends decide not to puch on but stay the night. I got 11 miles done but 7 more to go so after my 1 hour break Im off again for a long sustained climb out of the NOC and back up on the mountains. The trip is tough but I finally get into Sassafras Gap shelter around 1700 and select a lovely spot on a ridge just above the shelter...
Pictures:
1. Wesser Bald Observation tower with lovely views...
2&3. Views from the tower
4. The NOC
5. A Memorial on the trail reminding everyone of the sacrifices some people have made...