Russell Field Shelter to Fontana Dam, Southbound

May 11, 2013
13.1 miles
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Today was a relatively easy day; there were some uphills, of course, but not too bad. The majority of our walk was downhill, with a long (nearly 8 mile) descent into Fontana Dam.  This was the main reason we wanted to approach this from the north.  We were happy with our speed today and glad to have most of the afternoon to rest.

This is the third time now that we have been to Fontana Dam but the first time to cross the dam on the trail.  It is a beautiful area.  Fontana Dam is the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At 480 feet, Fontana Dam is the highest dam in the eastern United States. The Appalachian Trail crosses directly over the dam.

Crossing Fontana Dam Bridge

Approaching Fontana Dam from the Smokies.

Coming out of the Smokies into Fontana Dam.



Fontana Dam

We were happy to again be at the Visitor’s Center where we called Donna to come pick us up and take us back to the car which was parked at her place.  We spent the night in The Loft again and it was nice to be in a bed.

Beautiful azaleas at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center.

Silers Bald Shelter to Russell Field Shelter, Southbound

May 10, 2013
14.7 Miles
7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

It was nice to get an earlier start today.  We got up, rolled up our bedding, mixed up an energy drink with water and ate a Cliff Bar on the trail.  Easy.  Today’s hike started out very moderately.  There were some uphills but they didn’t last long.  Right before reaching Derrick Knob Shelter we came across a family of deer playing on the trail. 

 

 

Right about noon we started our climb up Thunderhead Mountain.  It was a very steep and long climb. We reached the infamous Rocky Top, as the name depicts, it is a rocky ridgeline between Tennessee and North Carolina. On one of the rocks the number 2000 was printed in white paint; this is the 2000 mile marker from Katahdin for the southbounders.  I know they must be excited when they see that. 

 

 



View from Rocky Top.

The area around the trail up to Spence Field shelter is especially beautiful with a meadow-looking area filled with a ground-cover of white flowers and service berry trees in full bloom. 

 

We were surprised to find the shelters in the Smokies so close together, but I suppose it is due to the heavy hiking traffic here and also because they have to be located close to water sources.  For instance, only 2.5 miles separates Mollies Ridge Shelter and Russell Field Shelter; 3.1 between Russell Field and Spence Field and 1.7 between Silers Bald and Double Springs.  The shelters on the north side of Newfound Gap, on the other hand, are more normally spaced out. 

We were the only ones sleeping in Russell Field Shelter.  One other guy but pitched his tent quite a ways from the shelter. 

Russell Field Shelter