Hot Springs

From the edge of the Smokies, we made our way over the ridges to Hot Springs, the next trail town.

The first major vista of this leg was Max Patch Bald. We arrived during the weekend and shared the mountain top with abundant day hikers. On the way up we found a cooler full of soda around the corner from the summit road; my first encounter with unattended trail magic. From the top we could see Mount Cammerer in the distance, the southern peak of the Smokies.

The section between Max Patch and Hot Springs was very attractive and well maintained. We shared the trail with volunteer maintenance crews and many section hikers.

The Walnut Mountain shelter featured an excellent sunset viewing area.

On the morning of April 29, we made our way down from the summit of Deer Park Mountain and into the town of Hot Springs. Our first act was a feast at the diner.

This would be my first laundry stop since Franklin, 175 miles ago. I mostly wanted to refresh my bandana.

The town of Hot Springs is so far the best trailside town we have encountered yet. They have embedded trail markers into their sidewalks, a brief departure from the usual white blazes. Between a handful of shops on the main strip, we found everything we needed for resupply.

On the second town day, A trip to a mineral hot tub was a nice reset for any lingering aches or pains.

That night we went to Big Pillow brewery. My friend Neil drove over from Asheville to visit, while the rest of the crew won at trivia. We all rode back up the hill to the hostel in the back of Neil's truck.

In the morning we walked across the French Broad river in high spirits, with the goal of completing our first 20 mile day.