Well the weather was cool at times along this 15+ mile walk I took with a friend, which began at the Highway 441 parking area and the Kephart Prong trail. Though as we started up the Sweat Heifer trail from the Kephart Prong shelter layers began peeling off! We took this trail the 3.7 mls. up to the AT, and what a great trail! As we climbed in elevation we had views with unlimited sight as there were no clouds or immediate ozone residue obstructing the blue sky's. Once we reached the top we had to put some of the winter layers back on with a strong wind blowing atop the ridge line the AT follows along this point. We stopped near Ice Water Springs shelter, fixed some veggie and tuna burritos, ate, and got back on the trail out of the cold wind.
Along this portion of the walk there were some wonderful vista's of the surrounding mountains including LeConte, and Brushy Mountain. There were at times frozen layers of ice covering the trail which would have made great impromptu bobsled courses, with abrupt endings.
We sidetracked for a view from Charlie's Bunion and then continued on to the Dry Sluice Gap trail. Following it to the intersection with Grassy Branch trail and back to the Kephart Shelter. We stopped here and made some coffee for a caffeine rush to take us out the remaining 2 mls. as the day faded into night. Watching the crescent moon, Venus, and stars come into view as we completed this great walk. Peace
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