Three Waterfalls Highlight AT Key Swap Hike Over Buck Mountain

Saturday I once again went on an outing with the Mid-Appalachian Hiking Club (MAHC), this time on the Appalachian Trail (AT) on the other side of 19E in Roan Mountain. 

This hike is on the other side from the Roans, through Buck Mountain. This was a joint key swap hike with the Johnson City Hiking Club. I hadn't hiked with them since Shelton Graves hike in December of 2016. I was with the MAHC group and we went Southbound from Walnut Mountain Road to 19E which makes up just under half this section. .10.5 miles (future backpack to finish). 

We passed Mountaineer Falls Shelter and the Cascade that shares its name. This was a 20-foot falls that you can walk behind (I like these). On up the trail, we ran into a huge log and a pair of Buck Mountain Hiking Poles.

There were two others, next up Splash Dam. This 25-foot beauty had great water flow, but I am told it can be even better. Next, to Elk River we hiked THE last time (or first time heading AT South) that the AT is in North Carolina. Finally, the main event the 100-foot Jones Falls. This big cascade can be enjoyed at the bottom or one can take a side trail up to the middle section. This is an impressive waterfall.

At the top of Buck Mountain a view, of the Roan Highlands that was obscured by clouds, but still beautiful. There was also beautiful wildflowers and a really cool Bald-Faced Hornet (Blackjackets) nest. While long it was an excellent day on the AT.

Mower Problems Take A Backseat To Buddy Bear

It was back to the Cabin to start the week and two things remain consistent. Mower problems and bears.
Let's talk about the most important thing bears... specifically Buddy. I have before said, from photo evidence, that we have more than one bear around the Cabin. The one that tears down the feeders is not Buddy, but a bigger bear. However, the bear I got on the trail cam this time is smaller and is most likely Buddy.

However, on closer inspection of the one daytime photo, I saw something disturbing. He seems skinny and something was wrong with his fur. I thought of mange, but I wasn't sure black bears got it...well I was wrong, they do!

So, now I am going to see if I can help Buddy, but keep him wild. So, I am going to look into contacting people to see if he can be helped. Besides Buddy, I also got photos of deer.
However, what occupied most of my time was mower problems. This is nothing new because before I started I had to put the transmission drive belt, but I didn't it would be the last time. Because the next time I had to mess with the drive belt was pulling it out as it was shredded, with about 3/4 of the yard done. 

Anyway, I decided to work on it on Monday as the old Craftsman mower was in the barn and I thought I would just pull it off. I got it off, it looked good so I just had to put it on...but the belt didn't fit, it was too big! So, after some colorful words, I decided to go to Gate City to maybe get a belt that would fit. I downloaded a manual for the mower hoping it would have belt size...well it didn't, just a part number. So, I guessed and guess what it didn't fit, too short this time. After that, I threw in the towel built a fire and cook "shovel lamb."

On my way home Tuesday I stopped to take the belt back and wouldn't you know I found the size when I looked real quick on the phone...we will see if it works next week. Because of all of this no time for hiking... again next week.