Today, I have a quick 5 miles to where the trail splits to Clingman’s Dome trail, which leads down to the parking lot. The crew that stayed at the shelter last night are all planning to catch the 1230 shuttle into Gatlinburg.

It was a beautiful morning. Rays of sunshine penetrated through the limbs of the spruce trees, illuminating patches of ground and moss. The rays were mystified from the layer of fog slowly rising back up into the sky. Spiderwebs were woven across the trail, and hikers before me had walked through them, leaving them blowing delicately in the wind. Other undisturbed webs were along the trail, clutching on to the last bit of dew from the early morning.

Moss covered everything – the ground, the trees, downed logs, and rocks. I got to where the trail split, and I was about to pee my pants. I was about to pee when a day hiker came out of know where and started chatting me up… little did he know that I peed my pants a tiny bit. It was really unfortunate but also pretty funny.

I got down to the parking lot of Kuwohi (formerly known as Clingman’s Dome) and went to the visitor center to see if my friends were there. I saw no sign of my friends but I met a lady inside who kindly bought my stickers for me and I got my passport stamped! I walked down to the end of the parking lot and had a snack. I planned to wait for the shuttle but thought I would try my luck at hitching a ride. As luck would have it, Don pulled up in his red pick-up and took me into Gatlinburg. His wife is hiking the trail, and he just dropped her off and was headed back into town to the REI to pick her and her friends up some gear. Don offered to take me back up to the trail around 3 pm as well!

Don dropped me off at the Outdoor Center, where I dropped my pack off, got and drink, and was sadly informed they didn’t have cork massage balls there. Don had offered to pick stuff up for me at REI, so I asked if he’d look for one for me there. After leaving the Outdoor Center, I went to the Smoky Mountain Coffee and Creamery for a coffee and to charge my things and plan out the next few days. I contacted Hikers Rest and found out that the owner of it also works at the Outdoor Center and that I just spoke with her in person. She confirmed my spot, and the dog lady said she could drop Bowen off at that location Friday morning, so those logistics are all worked out!

Up next, I went to the brewery next door for beer, a burger and fries, and a snickers cheesecake to-go. Then I walked to Flapjacks, where my friends and I had previously slept in their parking lot during a horrible storm that we tried to tent camp during. Then I made my way to a taco place who was giving out free burritos to thru-hikers.

After getting the burrito, I walked back to the Outdoor Center to meet Don. I ran into “Howl,” who now goes by “Alpha.” I also saw “G Squared” on the walk back, and Bri and her mom were on the front porch in rocking chairs. They are headed back home for a bit due to a family member passing and needing to arrange funeral logistics. I hope to see them again on the trail later on.

Don picked me up and had the cork ball, which he wouldn’t let me pay him back for, and he took me back up to the trail. I sat in the parking lot and ate my cheesecake as people looked at me in horror. I suppose they aren’t used to seeing many people scarf down a cheesecake like their life depended on it. I saw “Goldilocks” and a few other familiar faces in the parking lot, and we ended up walking to Kuwohi together. There were a lot fewer tourists now than there were this morning, and the overlook was perfect.

After the tower, I walked by myself to the shelter. It was 0.5 miles off trail, and then the water source was another 0.1 miles away. The shelter was pretty full, with lots of people renting around. I saw “Leapfrog” and “Alpha there and everyone was jealous of my free burrito that was as big as my head.

Day: 24

Date: 4/28/2025

Miles: 12.2

Camp: Mount Collins Shelter

At Mile: 203.1