Day 19: Into the Smokies

Today was the first day that really felt like Spring. We started back at the dam sometime around 10 this morning. We had to walk over the dam and up a road for about a mile until the trail starts again at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

From there it was a pretty steady uphill for three miles and 2,000 ft in elevation to an old fire tower. Awesome views, but the climb up the ladder was very exposed. I went up to the top, but Paul didn’t make it that high.

The day was the warmest we have had, and tons of flowers were blooming. We walked along the NC/TN border most of the day, hoping back and forth. We are camped on the TN side tonight but will follow the border for awhile. We hiked 11 miles today.