Annie strikes a pose near the intersection of the AT and the Sweat Heifer trail a couple of miles east of Newfound Gap, on a foggy, breezy spring day in the Great Smokies. We didn't have time for a long hike, so we picked one with great scenery. We climbed up to the Jumpoff so that she could enjoy the view from one of the most spectacular perches in the Smokies, but it was socked in so solid with fog that we could only see for a few feet beyond the edge of the abyss.

For the first time, I found the Icewater Springs trail shelter deserted. Ordinarily, it's packed with hikers and backpackers. On weekends, it's gained a reputation for being a prime party spot and is often littered with piles of trash. The lady that has 'adopted' the shelter has been doing an incredible job of maintaining the area and deserves a huge thanks for those of us who enjoy hiking the Smoky Mountain trails. I'm not sure of her real name, but her trail name is Flying Squirrel.
A week or so ago, a young man died of alcohol poisoning while staying at this shelter. It was one hell of a way to end a trip to one of the prettier parts of the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies.

Some of the folks that had been staying at the shelter on the night of the death left their thoughts in the shelter journal.

Some misty dandelions outside the shelter.

Annie with the valley of Porters Creek in the distance.

Can a trail get any better than this?

A young couple had brought a couple of little puppies along with them to the Bunion. The pups were too young for such a difficult trek and were really trashed by the time that they arrived at the overlook. Really cute but I hope that they were able to bum a ride on the way back out.