Sat, Mar 7 2015 - Cheoah Bald via Bartram Trail (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Jennifer S Participants: Jennifer S, Aaron, John Weatherman, Silvia, Serge A, Mike, Yan

There were questions of whether we may see some remnants of snow at 5000 ft. up in the Nantahala Forest. We did. We saw the remnants as they gushed over the cliffs of Ledbetter Creek, pounding out the beat for our footsteps. We heard them rushing over rocks and winding their way down the steep sides of the walls that form the gorge. They offered up the harmony for our hefty sighs as we plodded our way up the 3000 foot ascent to Cheoah Bald.

Our clan of seven crisscrossed our way up the creek that had no concern for our need to hoist each other across her back as she hurriedly ran to meet up with the Nantahala.

Just when the sighs of exhaustion could be heard at the 14th crossing, we raised our heads to the remaining 1400 ft. climb that would take us to the intersection of the AT. Here, we caught a slight glimpse of our reward. The excitement of the possible views encouraged us to plod the last 1/2 mile. We found what we were looking for. Not snow. Rather the quilt of mountains and cloudless sky stitched together with mountain ridges. Forming the squares of patchwork were vivid lines of green and grey. The mountains in the background were clearly lined with the naked trees of winter, patiently waiting for the warmth of the sun to begin the process of budding their limbs.

Lifting our knees high while making the descent, we counted down the crossings to dinner in Franklin just as the sun began to slip down toward the horizon.