Appalachian Trail - WilsonLick Ranger Station to Wayah Bald

It started as a sunny, but fairly cold, 47F, windy morning, but ended sunny and mild. Trail conditions were quite good, but still had the usual rocks and roots of the AT. There were a couple of moderately steep climbs, but not as tough as expected. We met a dozen plus AT through-hikers from numerous US states, plus a hiker from each of the UK, France and Germany. Views from Wayah Bald were quite good today. With warming and sunny afternoon skies, much of the trailside from Wine Spring Gap on was dominated by extensive blooming of Virginia springbeauty, That same section of the trail was also covered with Trout lily, with just a few blooming on our return to the trailhead. This was a moderately difficult, but not strenuous hike. Today's Hikers: Betty Smith, Beth Hawkins, Charles Hawkins, Terre Pratt, Don Pratt, Lynn Steele, Matt Henderson with Toby, Jenny Bell, Gregg Nuessly & Mike Bell