Hiking buddy, Will and I decided to go on our own outing after this PHOC hike was cancelled due to all the rain. Will and I saw the forecast and realized it would be almost perfect conditions just after the rain passed through Saturday morning. Often just after a rain, all the particulate matter in the air is cleared and some really nice clear skies and views follow. We didn't have the perfect conditions we thought might exist as there were some lingering clouds and early fog. About mid day we had some some views.
Above is the lone plant of Rosy Twisted Stalk I saw today.
Clinton Lily was all along the trail in large communities like this one. They appear to be at peak bloom right now.
I know it doesn't look steep but then why would a rope be installed. It is steep, just an optical illusion. We managed very well in the steep spots on the slick rock and muck. It might have been different if we'd been carrying packs. My guess is there were 12 people that would spend the night out at Deep Gap. We did not encounter anyone on the way out. Will said he was breaking cobwebs. On the our return we run into the usual allotment of BMC hikers. One group of four had to be part of a basketball team.
Thyme Leaved Bluets seemed to be most abundant at the beginning of our hike at Mt Mitchell State Park parking area. From the parking area, the trail heads right through the picnic area. It descends on some stone steps before reaching a gap and heading up Mt Craig, the second highest peak in the east. Between Mt Craig and Big Tom is a short drop but nothing like you're in for later. Heading down to Big Tom gap is pretty steep in spots, and then it is up Balsam Cone, down again, up Cattail Peak, back down and up Potato Hill before the long descent to Deep Gap. All those peaks are top 6500'+.
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