Day 27 April 28 - Last day of Smokies and get Allagash

Day 27 Apr 28, Days miles 15.5 AT Mile 238.9

Hike time 8hrs

So it was our second time staying in shelter and got full experience. Lots of activity late in the evening. Many were considerate of others but some were not ie smoking multiple things in the shelter. We did meet and chat with a trail maintainer who said the ATC was considering removing all privys and no new bridges! What the heck!

We hit the trail at 7 am as we wanted to get out early so we could get Allagash today from the kennel. We expected the day to be all downhill but there was one bump up but really there was 2 and the second went on FOREVER, or it felt like that. The day started out dry and cloudy so we started out in our rain gear but as the morning wore on it got clear and beautiful so off came the rain gear.

While it was nice we met another ATC ridge runner and his name was also Chris, a retired lawyer who's area to cover was all of the AT in the Smokies! Sounds like ridge runners will stay out on the trail for several weeks other than to resupply.

As we got to the second bump, Mt Cammerer where there is a lookout tower the clouds rolled back in, so no view! 

Then it started to rain not a lot but a little so rain jackets back on. We played that game of taking gear off and back on several times through the afternoon.

Then about 2 hours from our destination the sky opened up and poured on us. I had put my rain coat on but not my pants and at that point it was too late ugh.  These Seal socks are great, least my feet were dry!

Logistics are one of the hardest parts, IE finding a ride to pick us up at Davenport Gap today and getting a good estimate of our out time. Yesterday we found a small sign at Clingmans Dome with a driver's contact and she agreed to pick us up. 

 Today when we stopped for lunch at Cosby Knob shelter I had cell service and was able to ask her to come earlier as we were now making great time as it was all downhill!  

When we got close to the gap we dropped our second half of our permits into the box and reached the gap where a couple was doing trail magic under cover and chairs! 

 We had a hot meal and hung out with them hearing stories of things they had found in the Smokies until our ride arrived which was early too! It was a blessing they were there as after stopping and being wet I was getting cold.

We got to our hotel in Pigeon Forge, got settled and got cleaned up and drying our gear when we contacted the kennel to learn she had been in a car accident and would have to wait to get Allagash tomorrow, luckily the kennel owner was ok.

So we went off to find food in the tourist trap of Pigeon Forge that evening and made plans to get a rental car tomorrow to go get Allagash.

My back has still been bothering me all through the Smokies and we think there is an issue with my pack so will be taking some time away from the trail to figure out what's wrong with the pack.