It is perfectly still in the early morning, that is a good thing, it means that the rain has stopped. Peeking out of the tent it is spectacular, the valley is full of clouds and the mountain tops are just visible against an impossibly blue sky, magical! The air is cold and again the transition from warm to cold takes a concerted effort. All the hikers camped near us are coming to life and chatting over hot oatmeal and coffee in the early morning sun, nothing can compare. 

It is a steep climb up to Cheoah Bald. We are joined by others just to enjoy the view and revel in how lucky we are to be here. A perfect Alzheimer Flag moment.

The hike down is long. It is funny in your mind as you climb up which is more difficult and takes more energy, that all you can think about is when it will be over and you can go down again. However, on the long way down, toes get squashed and quads scream, and all you can think is when will it end, I'd rather be climbing. But the sun is shining and the view is stunning, perfect hiking weather.

We are at Brown Fork Gap Shelter for water and continue on to Cody Gap camping area, a beautiful spot in the woods. Everything is dried out, no rain, couldn't be better.