AT - Newfound Gap to Sugarland Mtn

Date: 4/15/16
Distance: 8.6 miles

Today I worked a few hours and then headed to the mountains.  I decided to hike the short section of the AT from Newfound Gap up to Sugarland Mountain.  The one way distance was only 4.3 miles, so 8.6 miles total.

This section of the trail has several ups and downs with about 1500' of climbing over the entire hike.

About 1 mile from NFG is an area which is surrounded by a fence and has a couple of ramps for getting inside the area.  It was built to protect a Beech Forest.

There was also a very large patch of small white wildflowers in the fenced in area.  I wondered if the flowers were so good because the Hogs have been kept away.

 
Much of the trail is in a very dense Fir forest, so it was very scenic and a little creepy.

 The trail did have a few views out through the trees.

This trail had lots of steps built into it to help prevent erosion, so it wasn't just a simple walk in the woods.  It also is very near Clingmans Dome Road for much of the hike, so you don't really get away from road noise.  I should have hiked it in the winter when the road was closed.  It was still nice to get out for a walk in the woods.