Neel Gap on New Years

I love driving to Neel Gap at almost anytime of the year, but over the last few years going there on New Years is a treat. I have been there on snowy days and in the heat of summer.

We always stop for a moment at the place where the AT runs through Mountain Crossings, which is were the Walasi-yi building is located. It was completed in 1937, the same year as the Appalachian Trail. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the building as a dining/dance hall and inn. It is now a shop for hikers and tourists. The ground floor of the inn contains a hostel for thru hikers on the AT.

We overheard a couple of hikers talking about heading north on their thru hike. I knew that heavy rains were about to hit the area followed by super cold temperatures. I checked the AT journals last night and one of the guys had realized the rain was not going to let up. He dropped off the trail until a later date.

The AT heads north to Maine over 2,000 miles.

I always enjoy going to the Mountain Crossings store where there lots of clothing and other things along with a collection of old packs and discarded shoes that did not work out with thru hikers.