**DATE: Oct 10, 2018 to Oct 10, 2018**
*Hiking/Walk*	AT HIke - Carvers Gap to Hughes Gap Meeting Time: 8:30 AM Event Coordinator: dnaturist Erwin, TN US Max # People: 8 Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money Difficulty Level: Moderate
SUMMARY: This will be a 5 mile, one way hike that will require an auto shuttle. Plan to spend 5 hours on the trail. This hike will begin with a stiff climb of about 800 feet in the first 1.5 miles. Th hike will pass the highest shelter on the AT, Roan High Knob Shelter (6285 feet). At about 2.5 miles into the hike we will come to the site of the Cloudland Hotel, a resort from the 19th century. The dining hall of the resort stradled the Tennessee/North Carolina border. With North Carolina being a dry state, if you wanted a drink with dinner you had to sit on the Tennessee side of the dining room. From the hotel site we can take a side trip to the Rhododendron Gardens. (6 mile round trip). From the Cloudland Hotel site we begin a descent of about 2200 feet in about 2.5 miles. This hike will offer some great views of the autumn colors.
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at: The meeting place for this hike will be the McDonalds in Erwin, Tennessee. The address for the McDonalds is 529 Jonesborough Rd. Erwin, Tennessee 37650. The phone number for the McDonalds is (423) 743-5821. We will be leaving the McDonalds for the trailheads at 8:30 AM sharp. Be sure to arrive eariler to get directions and breakfast.