Sunday, July 15, 2018

AT in NC/TN: Hump Mountain Never Disappoints


Appalachian Trail in NC/TN:  Hump Mountain – 8/28/17 – 8 Miles


A few Carolina Berg Wanderers went hiking on a Monday – because we could.  At this stage in life, you arrange things to do what you want.  Ignoring the ominous weather forecast, Mike, Brian, Ann and I escaped the muggy late-summer Piedmont heat to enjoy Hump Mountain, a prominent bald along the Appalachian Trail straddling the state line of North Carolina and Tennessee.  A cloudy day plus high elevation plus a little wind equals long sleeves.

 
We started from an access point that I hadn’t used before, driving up gravel FR 5545 to an old road access to Overmountain Shelter (now gated).  This is a common parking area for people overnighting at the shelter who want to avoid the long hike from Carvers Gap.  Heck, you could carry your coolers and Dutch ovens and tailgate chairs (but please don’t!)

We hiked up the old road to Yellow Mountain Gap, where six paths appear, so pay close attention to signage.  The AT and the Overmountain Victory Trail intersect there, plus the old road, and then a side trail leads down to the shelter.  A visit to the shelter is mandatory whether you plan to stay there or not.  A big old red barn that sleeps 20, its picturesque setting and romantic view out across the valley, it’s an iconic feature of the NC/TN trail.  [Update September 2019 - Overmountain Shelter is now closed due to instability - do not enter the shelter!]


Hiking northbound, the AT ascends, weaving in and out of trees along the edge of an open field.

Looking down at Overmountain Shelter

Looking northwest into Tennessee – I see those clouds

Looking east across a carpet of yellow

About 1.5 miles north of Yellow Mountain Gap a large rock formation sits on a rise, a good place to pause, rest, regroup, or just be still.

 
Little Hump Mountain (elev. 5,459 feet) is not so very little, but the climb is so gradual and the views so extensive that you (hardly) notice the exertion.


Near the top the AT passes through a forested area of Tolkien-inspired trees, twisted trunks and a thick canopy.


On the other side of the trees, the trail descends the north slope of Little Hump, in and out of trees and knee high scrub.  The trail is a deeply worn trench. Near the base it passes through a scattering of trees in a small gap with a maze of side trails and campsites. 


 
A little further along we crossed Bradley Gap, a wide saddle with more campsites, very inviting IF you don’t expect any bad weather.  Pretty awesome view of the big guy.

Hump Mountain (elev. 5,587 feet)

 
The finest view in the Southern Appalachian Highlands:   
Grandfather Mountain from the summit of Hump Mountain

The hike back was just as thrilling, looking at things from a different viewpoint

 Hawksbill and Table Rock on the horizon


On the return, we passed the side trail to the summit of Yellow Mountain.  I skipped it on our epic Hump Mountain Sherpa Hike back in 2011 and I skipped it again today.  Mike and Brian explored some faint old trails with a GPS track while Ann and I stuck to the script (not interested in bushwhacking).  All ways converged in the field above Overmountain Shelter at about the same time.  New flowers had sprung up after we passed through!

 
Back again at Yellow Mountain Gap where the AT bisects the Overmountain Victory Trail, the OVT goes northbound to Hampton Creek State Natural Area.  Southbound, the OVT parallels the old road bed and beyond.  Both directions looked overgrown and seldom used.  Again Ann and I took the path more traveled, Mike and Brian took the other.  Their way was longer, probably more interesting…

Methinks a hike to Hump Mountain should be an annual summer’s-end event.
   

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh




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