NC Trail scenes to Fontana Dam

We were ahead of schedule to meet my family at Fontana Dam on April 16th, so we did some low mileage days and ended up taking 2 zero days at the dam. One night we camped, the second night there was a huge storm and we stayed in the shelter. We really prefer camping. The Fontana shelter sleeps 24 people and is only 2 miles from town, so it is easy for hikers to get beer and party. Luckily they can't do that in the mountains!

 Y-Knot and Buffalo Bob returning to the trail after Franklin

 Box Elder, Mel, Milkman, Balance & Y-knot waiting for the shuttle into town

 Gear explosion in the hotel room

 Pancake breakfast put on for the hikers by a church group

 Hikers unloading from the shuttle back from Franklin, NC

 The trail gets greener as we lose elevation. We are heading down to the Nantahala Center.

 Lunch spot on Silers Bald, NC. The AT didn't cross the summit, but a side trail took us up to great views.

 View from a historical stone tower on a summit

 Water source along the trail. We don't bother treating water if it looks like it comes from a spring. (Risky, yes, but many people don't treat their water).

 Break spot at a shelter. We prefer camping, but like to leave a message in the trail register and check the progress of other thru-hikers.

 

Lunch spot at a fire tower.

 Rainy day lunch at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

The original starting group at Fontana Dam

 The 'Fontana Hilton" hiker shelter

Inside the Fonatna Dam shelter - sleeps 24, but many more people camp nearby.