Fog, balds, tour groups, and packing up

Andrews Bald

After yesterday's hike washout we were determined to get some trail time today. However, the weather did not quite get in line with our plans. We were up early enough today, but the fog just wouldn't lift. We headed up to tbe Clingman's Dome parking lot anyway, determined to get started by at least 11, a random time we decided by which the fog must be gone!! At the top at about 9 a.m., M did a walk-away test. He barely made it 15 feet away before I couldn't see him. As thick as peanut butter! A bunch of tour groups--busloads of loud, crazy loud, high school kids--showed up and headed out without jackets (it was 37 degrees!) toward the "easy" path to the dome tower. We followed our plan and got on the Forney Ridge Trail around 11. As soon as the trail dipped down a couple dozen feet from the parking lot, the fog was gone and we even saw sun. Cheers! The trail was very wet and slippy. The trees smelled really great--or was that a freshly cut evergreen that had been moved off the trail...? We subtely lost elevation all along the trail as we headed to our destination, Andrews Bald. Once there I took a sweet nap (see this post's photo) and M walked around taking photos. On the return trip, the sun was out and we heated up quickly, especially as we regained all the elevation we'd lost on the trip out. We picked up a trail that took us past the parking lot and that met up with the AT. We saw one thru-hiker pass by as we were headed up to the AT. Near the parking lot we heard the cacophony made by the tour bus people. Yeesh! Once on the AT, we were on the other side of the mountain, the unsunny side. Brrrr. There were no views down in to the valley--only fog being moved by a fast-moving wind. Back on with the layers. We followed the AT to the dome tower, just in time for a gang of band camp kids to come screaming up from the parking lot on the paved path. We sat below the tower eating our lunch, waiting for to leave. Two thru-hikers eventually sat down near us, looking in good spirits but tired. They went up to the tower after us, but there were just no views to be seen. A total white-out. We took the easy path back to the cars and all along the way every kid we passed asked us for our trekking poles. It wasn't that hard an uphill walk. I guess this is what happens with PE classes are cut because of school budget problems.

Back at the cabin, we were sad to have to start packing up for an early morning exit on Friday. We got in a few more rounds of pool and M relaxed one last time in the hot tub.

(written by H)