5/2 Tuesday: Moreland Gap Shelter to Vandeventer Shelter ( 23.6mi)

Big day ahead... We're planning our longest day so far... Were out early, 0715, and arrive at Dennis Cove where we meet Steech again just beginning his day... Steve and I are on a mission to knock out these 23 miles today and Steech slowly falls behind... At the Laurel Forks, we come across a wonderful Gorge with the Falls at one end and a number of camping spots along the banks of the stream... Quite beautiful... Its a steep climb down into the gorge and another one back out, but quite worth the effort... Upon leaving the gorge we continue to climb another 1700 feet to the summit of Pond Mtn. where we find a spring to replenish our water supplies. No sooner we get to the top of Pond Mtn, we begin our descent back down 1700ft to US321. A typical few hours on the trail, but the weather is magnificent with 70 degree temps and a nice breeze... We come across Watauga lake which stretches for miles. We picnic there along with some other hikers using the USFS facilities, now open since 5/1. Steve and I take about 45min before continuing our trek, with 6 miles still to go. On the trail to the Watauga Dam, I almost stepped on a 5ft long black snake... It kind of made me jump, just a bit...LOL... I had heard they were around from some other hikers, one hiker had a picture of a similar snake he claimed to be 8ft long... Anyway they all look like roots on the trail... Steve and I looked at him looking at us just a few feet off the trail...he seemed a bit upset that we made him move from his sunning spot...LOL... We had dinner at the dam at about 1530 and finally arrived at our destination at 1700. We had the pleasure of viewing Watauga lake and the surrounding valley below through our afternoon hike.
PICTURES:
1. Were in the Gorge at Laurel Forks where the trail goes right along the waters edge... Theres an alternate trail when the water is too high..
2. Tough to see but look carefully at this pic... I almost stepped on this 5ft black snake sitting right in the middle of the trail... LOL... woke me up... Looked just like another root. LOL
3. The snake was located near Watauga Lake... Here's the Watauga Lake Dam. We had lunch across the other side.
4. Lovely flowers on this tree...
5. Thats me as we exit/enter the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness
6. Loveley evening sky from the Vandeventer shelter looking down into the Watauga Lake valley
7. And heres another couple, they are from Australia and have just finished their studies at their respective universities.... Not quite ready for the white collar world just yet...
8. A pic from my tent of the sunset from Vandeventer shelter area... We would wake in the morning to a thick mist and no view...