(Daily Mi: 14.8) Spectacular climb up into the Smokies today. Started my morning at 1500' -- after a foul night at Mountain Mommas -- and walked up to a high-point just over 6400' (sadly the credited portion of the climb didn't start until about 2500').

Saw almost no one. Passed one day hiker and met a father and son section-hiking team (the Trucks) who have sectioned all but the Smokies this year and expect finish in couple days. They are doing a southbound chunk today but say we are likely to meet again near their predicted finish at Clingman's Dome (the highest point on the Trail).

It had snowed at the upper elevations last night and above 4000' I find myself walking through 2 or 3 inche of actual accumulation (although it remains warm enough in the direct sun today that I spend half of it hiking in my T-shirt).

Just an unspeakably beautiful place particularly the open ridge near the top of Mt Guyot at 6400'. Both wonderful and overwhelming to be so seemingly alone in these vast mountains. The last bit of trail is somewhat treacherous as it follows the northernmost face of the ridge and is unthawed snow and ice for long stretches.

Make the shelter with about a half hour of good light left. Find three brothers in on a weekend excursion. Encounter my first "bear gate" which consists of chain link fencing stretched across the shelter front with a door and an excessively complicated locking system. Shelter area is absolutely flooded by a combination of snow melt and a hyper active spring.

Poppa Husker comes in about a half an hour past last light. Scares the bejeezus out of the brothers when he begins shaking the bear gate trying to figure out the lock.