After the events that transpired on my hike in the Smokies, Saturday, to Mount LeConte I was hesitant to do another group hike. However, I do remember I did have some great experiences with my Thursday Hike Georgia group, so with that in mind I met the some of the members of the Greeneville Hiking Club at Indian Grave Gap above Erwin, TN. I will say I am glad I did, the whole group was excellent hiking partners. They just weren't out to beat at miles, so their pace was more to my liking and they just enjoyed being out on the trail. When we arrived there was a gentlemen who was doing "Trail Magic," giving out drinks and snacks to SOBOs. Anyway, our hike today was north on the Appalachian Trail (AT), which crosses at Indian Grave Gap. We hiked about 2.5 miles out to the Beauty Spot, a grassy bald with nice views. This was my second time doing this hike (the first was back in October of 2013). The AT is mostly uphill, but not near the steep grade as LeConte. When we arrived at the Beauty Spot some who had never been there had noticed the road we had crossed earlier and now the parking area near the top. Yes, you can drive up there I told them I use to come up too the Beauty Spot in my old college days. After we enjoyed the view it was downhill back to the trailhead at Indian Grave Gap. Overall it was a nice hike with some cool people and I even got to see some early fall colors. Since I was near Erwin I first went to eat at the Hawg n' Dawg (check the next entry) and then drove out to Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel & Outfitters. As the name says it is on the river and the AT goes right by which is cool. Oh, I am ending the day with a fire...nice!
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