Appalachian Trail Hike - 7.9 miles

David, Ric, Richard and I enjoyed a hike on the Appalachian Trail through an area almost toally involved in the Tellico Fire - at the very end of the hike as we approached the Nantahala Outdoor Center did we notice we were no longer in a burn area, which I guess is why NOC was the emergency shelter for folks who had to evacuate - and if I remember correctly even though the fire covered as huge area, not a single structure was lost - we could see that driving up to Tellico Gap in that fire burned throughout the area but not a single house was burned.  The Tellico Fire Tower excaped unharmed and I have attached several pics from up there as well as a section of trail on one of the ridges

This will a moderate to strenuous 7.9 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail, in the Nantahala National Forest. The hike will be a one-way hike, from Tellico Gap to Wesser, and will require a shuttle.

The trail will be mostly down hill the whole way, with about a 3000 ft. descent. There are some steep rocky sections that make this a "strenuous" hike. Plan on being on the trail for about 6 hours, as we will travel at a moderate rate.

Hopefully, we will see some mountain laural blooming.  The end of the hike will place us at the Nantahala Outdoor Center.

We will be meeting at the Burger King in Franklin, NC at 8:00 AM. Planning to leave the Burger King at 8:30 AM sharp. The drive to the trailheads is about one hour.