Newfound Gap to Pecks Corner Shelter, Northbound

May 12, 2013
10.4 miles
9:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The lookout at Newfound Gap.

This morning we left early to drive our car up to Standing Bear hostel where we will park it while we hike the northern Smokies.  We met our shuttle driver from A Walk in the Woods at 8:00 a.m.  He drove us down to Newfound Gap, where we started hiking at 9:15 a.m. 

It was a very pleasant walk today through old trees.  The uphills were not too steep or long. Much of the time we were walking along the ridge line with beautiful views.

Our shuttle with A Walk in the Woods.

Sign at the beginning of the trail going north from Newfound Gap.
 

We reached Peck’s Corner Shelter at 4:30 p.m. with one other person there before us.  He had already gathered some wood for the night and began to start a fire. He invited all who came later to gather wood also and help keep the fire stoked throughout the night.  He said he had started a fire in every shelter he had been in so far.  We called him “Firemaker” but his real trail name was two-point-oh (he was a computer guru, of course). Most all the shelters in the Smokies have a fireplace in them and most of them still had a tarp over the entrance to help keep out the cold.

 Fortunately we did have prior warning that tonight was going to be unusually cold, in the 30s, so we brought our heavier sleeping bags.  They make our load heavier to carry, but they were needed.  Before the evening was over, the shelter was full, it held 14 people. 

 

North of Newfound Gap

Lunch break at Icewater Spring Shelter

Charlie's Bunion

View from Charlie's Bunion