Decided to slackpack the first few miles today, and started by going again through Hot Springs. Robin did buy short shorts at the outfitter as well, so all four of us are showing off the quads now.

Got our first sight of French Broad River, which we followed for a short time before the trail took us into the mountains again.

Mountain Laurel is starting to bloom right now, which is quite spectacular.

Hiking with a daypack feels like gliding up the hills. If not for the logistics involved, slackpacking could be a really addictive thing. Did some extra miles to Rich Mountain Fire Tower, which is really neatly built. After a last minute schedule change we had to resort to some three or four miles of trail running to get to our backpack shuttle in time.

Due to bear activity the last nine miles of the trail we’ve hiked so far have been shut down for tenting/staying the night since today.

Afterwards a short hike with now unreasonably heavy packs to Cookie Ladies’, who has a cabin right in the forest off the AT. Neatest cabin I’ve ever seen. Nobody there, but cookies were there in a box, and clean water, wet wipes, and a trash can as well. Thanks Cookie Lady! Saw a hummingbird from Cookie Ladies porch.

Then another three miles up the mountain to Little Laurel Shelter, where we were just able to squeeze into the shelter. Quick dinner, then bedtime.

Even with slackpacking this has been a long day, with just shy of twenty miles of hiking. Tomorrow probably a shorter day.