Day 20 - Sunday, March 7, 2021

The morning temperature at the trailhead was 22° and the skies were clear.

Today we are hiking from Skyland stables (934.0 NoBo) to Skyline 56.4, Bearfence Mountain Trail (919.9 NoBo) for a total of 14.1 miles.

 We started hiking at 9:30 am.

The condition of trails in the park are less than ideal. Some sections are cluttered with debris and blow down from the past winter storm making hiking laborious walking around the debris or climbing over it to make your way through. The first mile of our hike was not fun!  I’m not sure if this is due to the pandemic and the AT not being officially open so trail maintenance is not being done as it normally is? Hopefully it will be done this spring/summer. 




Ice and snow still covers the trail at elevations over 3000 ft. 




The AT passes by a cemetery at Tanners Ridge Road (925.2 NoBo). I thought the deceased family’s  hierarchy listed on the gravestone was noteworthy.   




More amazing views from the west rim.



Stopping to put on dry socks. Nursing some minor blisters. I’m learning that I will have to change socks maybe 2-3 times a day when warmer temperatures get here. 




Looking back over the valley where we just hiked. You  can see the trail and it’s route down the mountainside covered with ice snd snow in the foreground and a closer look below...




We had to wear our ice cleats a good portion of todays hike. 




Dropping elevation and a southern exposure makes all the difference in the world... no snow!

We stopped hiking at 4:15 pm. My smartphone said the  temperature was 46° But it felt much colder.

Till next time... Happy Hiking 🥾 

😋




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