{"id":1826,"date":"2019-05-09T09:13:29","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T09:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iprobablywill.com\/?p=1826"},"modified":"2026-10-15T14:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T18:35:10","slug":"mile-1815-0-tn-may-7-near-mountaineer-falls-to-ash-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iprobablywill.com\/mile-1815-0-tn-may-7-near-mountaineer-falls-to-ash-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"Near Mountaineer Falls to Ash Gap, 25.2 mi (AT 1815.0)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

May 7th, 2019, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was hopeful to reach Roan High Knob Shelter tonight. It\u2019s the highest shelter on the AT and reportedly has space for about fifteen inside. Given the elevation profile, it was a bit far but with an early start I had a good shot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thankfully it was another cool clear day. Partway through the morning I passed 400 mile artwork some northbounders had put together. I like these markers because they are a countdown for my trip. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On my way I would climb quite high and cross a series of grassy balds, or bare mountain tops. On the way up to the balds, the trail passed through a series of lush pastures. There were no cows to be seen down here today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Then I passed a sign facing northbound hikers saying they were leaving North Carolina. I think the trail meanders back and forth between Tennessee and North Carolina for a long way\u2014maybe over the next 100 miles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sign for northbound hikers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As I climbed higher the trees disappeared and the grassy mountain top pastures started. I was happy for the weather. Often potential views are missed due to fog, rain, or clouds. Today I had the perfect combination of weather and clouds for an amazing show. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the afternoon progressed some heavier clouds appeared and darkened. We got some light rain, off and on, for the rest of the day. I didn\u2019t mind the cooling off. There was no lightning and the weather made for some dramatic scenery as I walked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As the trail descended a bit into the trees there were a few more miles of flowering plants below the trees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Then the trail went back up to a couple of the final balds of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The rain clouds multiplied and, as I started the climb toward Roan High Knob, a light but steady rain came down.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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After all the elevation gain and the long miles I was tired and glad to be in the final approach. I reached the shelter. At 6,270 feet it is the highest on the trail. But, given the rain, the shelter was already pretty crowded. I stood there numbly for a minute. The bottom floor was full. Someone said there might still be room in the loft. Do I pack into the loft with all these wet hikers? Look for a place to set up around here? Or what?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The weather forecast called for lows in the high 40s\u2014but in the valley below. It could be 10-15 degrees colder at this elevation. And, if windy, it would feel even colder. I opted to continue down the mountain a couple more miles to a tentsite ar Ash Gap at lower elevation which would be a little warmer and, hopefully, less crowded.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It turns out there were only two of us at this enormous tentsite tonight. It was a nice place and quiet. I quickly set up camp and ate dinner before retiring to the hammock exhausted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And here are a few of the other interesting things I saw on my way today. 
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