13M Appalachian Trail Run - North Carolina/Tennessee Border Sam's Gap to Big Bald Mountain (out and back) Sunday, August 8, 2021
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Training Run 1140 to 1500 - 3H 20M 80 degrees and sunny many backpackers and day hikers nabbbed the only parking space left on a busy weekend AT crosses interstate where Highway 23A crosses under I26 about 80 miles north of Great Smokies gentle, winding trail made for an easy start on a warm afternoon many Sunday hikers out, so very social after a two-mile mild climb the trail opens up to views east before dropping down to cross back road at Street Gap grade remains mild for another 3M before steepening on final approach to Big Bald Mountain lots of undergrowth and some water trail is well used and mostly wide needed to walk some in final mile Big Bald Mtn at 5516' opens up to 360-degree vistas mostly clear this day with some smoke from western fires hanging lower amid the hills slowed for a couple miles to chat with two brothers from Durham, NC very enjoyable negative splits with mostly downhill on return no falls, few stumbles legs good and feet great in new Hokas |