#82 Bear’s Den Hostel to Boots Off Hostel Day 38: ATMM 420.0 to ATMM 428.6
This is a true hiker trash paradise.....
Today is going to be a hostel-jumping day. The ten-mile section on the other side of Boots Off Hostel / US321 IN Hampton is closed to camping due to a high level of bear activity. We don’t want to hike the twenty-three mile stretch to Iron Mountain shelter so it looks as if today will be an eight-mile day from Black Bear Hostel to Boots Off Hostel. I have a food-drop to pick up from Boots Off anyway.
After coffee and oatmeal by the stream, we are dropped off at the trail head by one of the owners of Black Bear on the outskirts of Hampton, where we detoured from yesterday.
The Cherokee National Forest marquis in the parking area informs visitors of the upcoming Laurel Falls on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The sign gives information about the forest, the falls, and fun-facts concerning the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Or as we backpackers like to call it: the A.T. We are lazy like that.
1) Backpackers: Beware of day-hikers and tourists in the area. (The sign doesn’t really say that)
2) Backpackers: Proceed with caution; tourists are fresh from society and may bring societal nonsense with them. (The sign doesn’t really say that either, but perhaps it should)
3) Tourists: Don’t feed the bears. Do feed the backpackers. (The sign really should have mentioned something about that)
4) Tourists: Don’t die in the waterfall. Don’t let your children die in the waterfall. Don’t let your pet wolverine die in the waterfall. (The sign alluded to that, sort of)
5) Backpackers: you know what to do, carry on. (The sign also doesn’t say that but we do know what to do so we carry on)