Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail
July 19-23, 2002

Our little 50-mile adventure on the Appalachian Trail started in Damascus VA. Well, actually it was my 50-mile adventure and just a small part of Naomi's grueling 500-mile jaunt which began in Georgia weeks earlier. Anyway, we got into Damascus VA late Wednesday night and spent the night there at the Mt Rogers Hostel. In the morning we got a lift south to the Dennis Cove trailhead in Tennessee where our hike actually began. On our first day we hiked 10 miles over Pond Mountain. Along the way, we passed by some amazing scenery, including Laurel Falls, which is actually a little bigger than it looks in the picture. We ended up at Shook Branch Park where we did some picnic action and waded in the water a bit before catching a ride back to the Kincora Hostel. Kincora is really cool and the owners, Bob and Pat, are really great folks with an endless supply of anecdotes to keep you entertained. Day two- We pick up from Shook Branch and hiked along Watauga Lake and over Watauga Dam, finally ending our day at Iron Mountain Shelter. Day three- We hiked our longest day, over 16 miles, along the ridge of Iron Mountain until we finally ended up at Abindon Gap Shelter where we crashed for the night. On our last day, we hiked down Iron Mountain into Damascus, a really friendly little town that caters to through-hikers. We hung out in town all day and took a little side trip after that to see Backbone Rock an Backbone Falls. My journey ended here and I headed back home. Naomi kept hiking for another week.

Here are a couple pictures--

Laurel Falls at the base of Pond Mountain

A view from atop Wagauga Dam

The view on the other side of Wagauga Dam

Naomi hanging out in Abingdon Gap Shelter

Mission Accomplished (Damascus VA)

Backbone Rock, the world's shortest tunnel

Looking up at Backbone Rock Falls

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