March 24th & 25th - This was our first family over-night backpacking trip for 2007 and we had a great time.  We parked the Jeep and began at Carvers Gap by heading north on the A.T., passing by the Balds of the Roan Highlands.  The views here are tremendous as we crossed Round Bald and Jane Bald.  We then began our descent down the northern side Yellow Mountain where we could actually hear the cars on the track at the Bristol Motor Speedway.  After reaching Low Gap and resting at the Stan Murray shelter we decided to go on further to Yellow Mountain Gap where the the historic Bright's Trace trail is located and where the Overmountain Men crossed.  This area was crowded with thru-hikers so went a little bit further up the trail (towards Little Hump Mountain) and set up camp.

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View of Yellow Mountain Gap - We Camped About Halfway Up the Left Side of the Lower Grassy Area... In the Edge of the Forest

Shannon and Taylor Take a Break After a Hard Climb from Stan Murray Shelter (Low Gap) Up to the Balds

Campbell Navigates the Appalachian Trail

We dug a fire pit, had dinner (noodles and summer sausage), looked at the stars, and set around the fire and talked.  Our night was good and we stayed warm even with windy conditions.  Shannon and Campbell stayed in one tent, while Taylor and I slept in the other.           

Campbell

Taylor

The next day we broke camp and got started on our hike out at about 10:30.  The climb out of Yellow Mountain Gap was a hard one, but everyone did well... I was very proud of Tay and Cam for their strong hiking.  Both of them carried packs.        

Shannon and Cam Take a Rest

Bill, Shan, and Cam

Awesome Views of the North Carolina Mountains from the Balds

After reaching the side trail to Grassy Ridge we stopped to rest and take the above photos.  We also saw the F-16 fighter jets fly over us on their way to the Bristol track for their fly-by before the race.  After getting back to the Jeep we were all tired and some of us a little sunburned, but we had a wonderful time.  We hiked a round trip of 10.5 miles.        

Topo Map of Where We Camped on Yellow Mountain

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