The second day of hiking is always much harder to wake up for, especially bert. I struggled too but not as much as him, I would say I have a tiny bladder, but he was up at 2 am and I was not. It was colder this morning. Car had frost on it. Being late only bothered me because it was Saturday and I was afraid of traffic. We left the campground at 8 am. We were hiking to Gregory Bald. The issue with this is the trailhead is off Cade’s cove loop road. While I wanted to do the drive, it definitely slowed us down to the trailhead. More on that debacle after the hike.
We started our hike around 9:30. We made this a loop by hiking on a closed road. This also meant we had no idea exactly how long the hike was. We expected 13 miles based on the map.
It was colder at the start today compared to yesterday. I was dressed the same except I used my heavy gloves. The gloves did not help when I start my fingers get painfully cold regardless of glove type. We did finally see some wildlife, two young deers. By mile 2.5 bert and I had both dropped our puffys. Unusual for me but we were climbing the first 5.5 miles so I got hot. This was about where we dropped the puffy.
I think the cold and being tired from yesterday had me taking less pics. Next we climbed and climbed. We did a total of 3300 ft of gain and 3100 feet was mile 2 to 5.5. Near the top it was cold probably in the 30s maybe 32 since snow was still there. I could not believe I was hiking with no gloves, a light ball cap and no puffy. Sorry I freeze so I was working climbing that mountain. When we got to the top we planned snacks so I did put puffy, gloves, and hat back on. The view was beautiful.
Looking at Cade’s cove and having snacks/lunch
Bert looking the other way
Then looking to fountana damn
Now was the descent. Everything was fine till about 6.5 miles in. My hip was hurting same thing happened yesterday. Though today it hurt more. I slowed to a crawl. At least it was drier. Around mile 8.5 I took a break. I dropping my pack and instantly my hip felt better. Was like ugh could be the pack. Bert really wanted to keep moving since I was going slow. He carried my pack for half a mile. I walked a lot better and had some recovery. I knew we had a lot more to go so I took my pack back. Plus I wanted to see if it affected my hip. Yep it did. However he gave me enough break that I had a little over a mile and the trail would turn into a closed road. I survived but I hurt.
Now we were on a closed road. We still climbed and descended but it was easier. My hip was ok. Here is the road, we had no idea how long it would be.
We found the end. 13.5 mile hike. Total gain 3300 ft. I need to do something about my pack.
The Pringle’s in the car were spectacular. Then we hit Cade’s cove loop road at 4:50 pm. We knew this would be bad. It was bad at 8:30 but this was stupid. Plus our legs were toast. Omg it took an hour to finish the Cade’s cove loop and we were at the half way point. I am glad I can say we did it, but never again.
The good thing I have a real hiking pack at the RV, verses the daypack I have been using. I switched to it tonight. I will try it out tomorrow. Tomorrow will be tough but planning the alum cave trail to my leconte.
Wish us luck! And hat we can wake tomorrow. BTW it is Bert’s birthday tomorrow too!