Date- Tuesday 5/31/05
Start- Kincora Hiker Hostel
Stop- Watuga Lake Shelter
Miles Travelled- 10.9
The day off really revitalized me. I still have plenty of energy and stopped only because of approaching darkness.
The day started rough with a short but steep descent into Laurel Gorge. Laurel Falls was captivating and I lingered way too long but the day was hot and the spray from the falls was cool. When I decided to leave, I couldn't find my way out of the gorge. I climbed the wall 3 times looking for the trail out and yes they were vertical cliffs. I was using exposed root as foot and handholds. To make matters worse I spotted 2 copperheads while on the cliffs. I don't worry about the snakes I see but I was starting to worry about the ones I wasn't seeing. I finally decided to backtrack the way I entered the gorge and found the way out. The trail had turned and I missed the turn. This escapade cost me about 5 hours
Once out of the gorge I started the mandatory daily climb. This was the 2,000 foot ascent and descent of Pond Flats which definitely wasn't flat and had no pond.
Once off Pond Flats it was an easy walk to the shelter.