Easy day, 10 km and 300 m total elevation gain, Southbound on AT. After a good night rest and breakfast we had time for a short walk just above Spence Field shelter. The grassy bald, remnant of old pasture, offers good panoramic views, and nice stands of blooming azaleas and laurels. Most trails in the Smokies go through pretty dense forest. We will come back here in a couple of days, but now to Mollies Ridge via Russell Field. Mollies Ridge shelter was packed with hikers – Russell Field was closed several days earlier because of bear(s) paying frequent visits.
