Date- Saturday, 5/14/05
Start- Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Stop- Hot Springs, NC
Miles Travelled- 3.2
Hot Springs occupies many hikers minds from the minute they enter the Smokies. True, there are other trail towns but there is only 1 Hot Springs, NC.
The town is small, about a half mile from end to end. You could drive through it without realizing it but it is as close to hiker heaven as you can get. The trail goes right down main street. On this half mile stretch of road are 5 inexpensive to moderately priced places to stay, 3 restaurants, 2 grocers, a laundrymat, an outfitter, a mineral water hot spa, and a pub. What more do you need?
Hot Springs is a significant psychological milepoint as well. It is generally believed that if a hiker reaches Hot Springs in decent physical and mental shape there is no reason, except for injury, that they will be unable to hike at least to New Hampshire.
Had lunch at the Smoky Mountain Diner. Had one of the best burgers I ever had. It was so good I went back for dinner.
Posted by john at May 14, 2005 11:55 PM