Big Spring Shelter to Winding Stair Gap

APRIL 15, 2012

Big Spring Shelter to Winding Stair Gap - Easy

9.1 miles in 5 hours

Today was suppose to be a 12.2 day which meant it would be late when we get into Franklin tonight and not give us much time to rest before starting again tomorrow.  But, thanks to our decision yesterday to go on over Albert Mountain, we will have more time to restock and do our laundry this afternoon when we go into town.  That’s one of those decisions that you hate at the time, but are glad you did it.

After an uneventful night in the tent and a good night’s rest, we left camp at 8:20 and had a fairly easy hike.

As we were approaching Rock Gap Shelter from the trail above, I couldn’t help but notice that we could see right into the privy as we passed by.  Good thing no one was in there!  In fact, we found this to be true of several privies in NC- not very private.

Elevation 4160'

First view of US 64 from above.

At the paved road intersection beside the sign pointing the way to Standing Indian Campground, we met Qwyatt, a thru-hiker, waiting on his wife to come spend the night with him in Franklin.  He offered us a ride into Franklin but we still had 3.7 miles to go before we quit, so we continued across the road and into the forest again. He promised to pick us up at Winding Stair Gap if we were there when they went by.  We found a good water source just past the intersection and refilled our water bottles. 

We reached Winding Stair Gap along with four young men.  They gathered beside the parking lot while I ventured out to the side of the road to stick out my thumb to hitchhike.  They said to my husband that I should not be playing like that because someone might stop.  He said I wasn’t playing; I was really trying to hitch a ride into town.   Wait-up joined me in my efforts and in about 15 minutes a car suddenly pulled over to the side of the road.  A nice lady inside said “Y’all look like good folks.”  “We are,” I said, to which she said, “Well, get in!”  So we stuffed one backpack in the already-loaded trunk of her small car and another one we crammed in the back seat with me.  I don’t know how many times that sweet lady said, “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”  Well, I couldn’t believe we had hitchhiked either but we did, just part of the AT experience! 

Catch-up hitchhiking into Franklin.

Lynn is a retired educator, just like us as it turned out.  She took us right to the Sapphire Inn where we had already reserved a room.  If you read this, Lynn, let us say again “Thank you!”

Wait-up hitchhiking into Franklin.

I must say Terry and Tammy at the Sapphire Inn were very friendly, nice and helpful.  We didn't meet the famous Ron Haven until the next morning when he shuttled us back to the trail. 

After a good shower with HOT, HOT water, we went across the street to Mi Casa Mexican restaurant and had a fabulous meal. 

There were no laundry facilities and we didn’t have a car, so we washed our clothes in the sink and hung them in the room to dry overnight. 
After another meal at McDonald’s which was also across the street, we went to bed early and rested well.

The office of Sapphire Inn.

MiCasa Mexican Restaurant.