Franklin NC to Nantahala outdoor center.

Day 10 franklin to silar bald

We all decide to start taking it a bit easier at least until we reach the mid Atlantic states. I still have Resupplying to do so I miss the 11 o'clock shuttle back to the trail head. I hitch a ride from a local who has retired in the area. When we get to the trailhead he turns around and heads back to town. He has driven 10 miles each way out of his way to drop me off. Since we get a late start we only do 5 miles but it is all uphill to silar bald which is a large grassy area on top of a mountian. From the top I can see the smokies; they are still snow covered. We stay at silar bald shelter which is .5 miles off the trail bit it is the nicest camping area yet with a large grass lawn for tenting. The night is clear so I leave my tarp off and fall asleep to the stars.

Day 11 silar bald to cold spring shelter.

12 miles today not to tough. As usual we decide on a place to stop but hike seperarely. I leave first and spend the first part of the day walking alone. We summit wayah mountian which is famous in the area and I run into tortoise who I had met before franklin. She is yellow blazing a bit and has skipped ahead to this section to rejoin her friends. A 1930's CCC stone tower is at the top and we can see all the way to Albert mountian, which we climbed about 20 moles ago. The day is hot and dry and ends on a steep up hill. The campsite is on top of a ridge though and we have more great views.

Day 12 silar bald to NOC

They call for rain tonight so we decide to sleep at the bunkhouse at the Nantahala outdoor center. The day is tough with a strenuous uphill in the morning and then 6 miles of continuous ous steep downhill to get to the Nantahala river. We dexlscwnd from 5040 feet to 1760 feet and my knees are killing me. The NOC is a large complex with all sorts of outdoor activities; kayak in rafting zip lining and training of all sorts. This one of the main training centers for white water rafting guides. We buy beers and ice cream and sit by the river until we can check in at the hostel. The hostel is actually a series of buildings built into the hill each containing 4-5 rooms for 4-6 people. Inside it is simply painted particle boards and wooden bunks with plastic matresses. There is a festival for thru hikers starting tomorrow and we are considering taking our first 0 day.