Appalachian Trail: Rock Gap to Wayah Bald

Big climbs and views plus a mountainside of woodland flowers end with a zero day.
Appalachian Trail: Standing Indian to Rock Gap

The day is cloudy which adds to the drama atop Albert Mountain lookout with new friends.
Appalachian Trail: Dicks Creek to Standing Indian

A spectacular arrival in North Carolina ends with sunset/moonrise camp atop a 5,000-foot peak.
Appalachian Trail: Unicoi to Dick’s Creek

The day after spitting rain and a town rest is glorious with views to Lake Burton and camping alone.
Appalachian Trail: Poplar Stamp to Unicoi Gap

As forecasted, it rains all day, but even in mist, the forest is magical – as is the wee German town of Helen where we get dry.
Appalachian Trail: Blood Mt to Poplar Stamp Gap

It’s a five mountain day through Neels Gap and into a spectacular spring day.
Appalachian Trail: Gooch to Blood Mountain

It’s a fantastic day of up and down with magical spring green mountain views and sunset on the highest peak on-trail in Georgia.
Appalachian Trail: Springer to Gooch

The real first day is glorious, though hot, with birds singing loudly and flowers lining the walk.
Appalachian Trail: Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain

I add nine miles on the ‘approach trail’ through Amicalola Falls State Patk, the highest cataract in Georgia, walking to mile 0.
Appalachian Trail: Atlanta

I’m reading about a pro long distance walker as I set out for Springer Mountain. Edward Payson Weston preached of walking’s benefits at the dawn of the automobile age.