We are leaving the Hilton it is 8:45. We are on the trail to the Fontana Dam which we cross as we approach the entrance to the entrance to the Great Smoky National Park. It is a beautiful day in the valley. The black flies are a nuisance but as we climb and the wind picks up they disappear. We are at the first stream that crosses the trail and dump our city water to refresh with pure mountain water. We use a filter on water we drink directly from the stream but don't when we boil it for tea or dinners.

We are climbing 2600 feet with a few down and ups thrown in. The last is always the worst it seems. In the Smokys if it mandatory to stay in shelters. This is unfortunate because those of us carrying tents prefer to tent, but we don't want to risk a ticket (alluded to be $500) so we cram into the shelter. It is not late but we are done.