Blue Ridge Gap to Standing Indian Shelter

APRIL 13, 2012
Blue Ridge Gap to Standing Indian Shelter - Moderate

11.4 miles in 7.5 hours

   


The rough road leading up to Blue Ridge Gap.

To begin the North Carolina section of the AT, we shuttled to the drop-off point at Blue Ridge Gap and began to climb the rough, slag road up to the AT.Too bad that road is not maintained, it could be a good access point close to the GA/NC line.

The beginning of the AT at Blue Ridge Gap.
 

It was a tough ascent but we got to the AT and began our journey at 9:00 a.m.

Here the trail enters the Nantahala National Forest.

At 10:40 we reached the tree where the GA/NC line sign is posted and took the same pictures we had taken in September when we were here at this point on our first section hike.Read all about that one on the Georgia Section blog. GEORGIA SECTION BLOG

Elevation 3840'

Past the sign tree we were beginning unchartered territory for us. We reached Bly Gap just past the line and saw the other famous tree with an interesting shape in the middle of the trail. In spite of the training we had done, it was a rough morning for me. On each incline I was gasping for breath and at each level spot I wanted to shout “Thank ya, Je-sus!” like Flo frequently does in the Yada Yada Prayer Group books (by Neta Jackson). However, at the end of the day I did not have sore muscles like last time, so the training must have done some good.

The famous tree in the middle of the trail at Bly Gap.

Elevation 4300'

Muskrat Creek Shelter for a lunch break.