Another
beautiful day in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Parking at Beegum
Gap I got a late start by 0830 to start the 1.6M climb up
to the summit of Rabun Bald at 4696', Georgia's second highest
peak. I had no difficulty running the entire way to the
top in 30 minutes on a well-worn trail with abundant rocky
outcrops. I passed a family half way up on the switchbacks
and was surprised to see thick sheet ice on the trail where
the sun no longer reached a seep flowing across.
Heading
south on the yellow-blazed Bartram Trail I heard the bells
of the chapel down below in Sky Valley ringing nine times.
A group of four hikers passed me on their way up from the
resort below. The running was easy in the crystal sunshine
as I cruised past Saltrock Gap and up over Wilson Knob at
3480'. The following descent was a bit treacherous due to
its steeper gradient, lots of rocks, and tight switchbacks.
Once down, the trail gradually descends to Wilson Gap where
it crosses an access road twice.
At
7 miles I turned around at the gate for 155F Road and kept
up a good tempo on the two climbs back. I climbed the observation
deck atop Rabun Bald just for the 360-degree views before
heading back down the mountain. A quarter mile before reaching
Beegum Gap where I parked, the Bartram Trail swings east
and north as it descends further into thick rhododenron
stands across endless girgling streams with convenient bridges.
I
picked up a companion on my way down from Rabun Bald - a
golden retriever that was out adventuring alone in the mountains.
She was delightful company and full of energy as we both
raced down the mountain for three miles to a turn around
at Hale Ridge Road. Crossing the road I ran a bit further
to the GA/NC border before starting the climb back to the
car. Maybe I was tired from racing down the hill so quickly,
but I was dragging a bit coming back up, which I think the
dog was grateful of.
She
stopped frequently to drink from the endless number of streams
we crossed. When I stopped on the bridge a couple of times,
she seemed to find great joy in playing in the water - running,
jumping, and splashing like a puppy. She was loving it and
I believe she would have followed me anywhere. It was with
great regret that I had to say good-bye and drive away from
my new-found friend. The look in her eyes as I pulled away
still leaves me sad. But she "belonged" to someone
as evidenced by her transceiver collar. If I wanted a dog,
she would have been the perfect companion.
It
was a good day. I have now run every step of the Bartram
Trail in Georgia. Next up, I'll tackle the North Carolina
sections.