Appalachian Trail: Indian Grave Gap to Chestoa

Green Man

Appalachian Trail: Indian Grave Gap to Chestoa

03/21/22

I started on a Friday morning at 8:13. Neighbor dropped me off with a 25lb Osprey Rook 65. Forest green. The AT is a magical portal inspiring awe and fascination in millions of more people every year. I paused at the steps leading up to my SOBO section hike and iPhoned a pic. The trek was on. I hiked through dense forests winding through the draws and ridges for two hours and finally took a break. There were numerous streams, springs,and bridges along the sometimes rocky way. I heard a deer crashing the bushes but couldn’t spot it. Maybe it was a bear or brother Bigfoot. The inner mountain sanctum felt safe and protected as well as remote and deep into Appalachia. There were a couple good climbs in the first mile or so but then it started mostly downhill. In about another hour - three hours in I made it to the shelter. Curley Maple Gap Shelter. Pretty nice cinderblock shelter with a double deck. Nice fire pit. Good tent sites. Peaceful place. Rested for half an hour maybe then headed down the trail. It’s an long easy descent to the Nolichucky River. It’s a powerful whitewater mountain river. The trail runs parallel to the river for the last mile or so. There are some moderate climbs and plenty of rocky foot plants. Trekking seemed to help a lot. It was a rugged trek through gorgeous mountain terrain. It ends at Chestoa (Cherokee for rabbit) park. Nolichucky is Cherokee for River of Death. Drink plenty of water along the way. Check out Uncle Johnny’s hostel -also called Nolichucky River hostel.

4.0