Coves, Gaps and Knobs

Today I completed hike #8 in 8 weeks for a total of 78 miles this year. Not only am I on track for my 600 mile goal, but am now 30% ahead of my goal of hiking 30 miles in Jan & Feb. This is good as the 60 mile months will be a challenge. I started off hiking a steep & cold uphill in Perry Cove. Thank goodness for my Zippo Hand Warmers & mittens that kept my hands warm. Today took me to Saddle Gap, Bennett Gap, Buckwheat Knob & then Club Gap. Check out the "major trail intersection picture from Club Gap! I detoured down Club Gap trail to add to my mileage and to say I've hiked from the Horse Stables to the Cradle of Forestry. Finished the day on the Avery Creek trail for a total on 10 miles. Looking forward to some more hikes to explore around the Horse Stable area - lots of waterfalls & miles to go. Maybe next week I'll get to see my first wild flowers of the season.

On track, week 7, hike 7 - mileage to date - 68

Yesterday, 2/18/2012 had a forecast of 50's with 60% chance of rain. Knowing WNC, I felt that an early start would allow me to get out and hike before the rain. I arrived at the trail head (Turkey Pen) @ 9:00 and set off on the Turkey Pen Gap trail heading up to the point where it meets the Black Mountain Trail in 5.5 miles. The sky was blue and the climbs had me peeling off layers of clothing. After turning around at the top and heading back down, I met another hiker that I had encountered two weeks ago on the Black Mountain Trail, also 5 miles from the trail head! Rather than going straight back to the car, I decided to detour off on the Wagon Road Gap trail. I hadn't been on this trail for about 20 years at which time I was doing trail maintenance here. This trail took me back to the South Mills River trail and back to the parking lot. Needless to say, I was tired after hiking 13.5 miles, but was quite happy to have hiked in short sleeves for the 2nd time in February!

So, the question is - where to next week?