BMT Day 21: As Many Bobcats as People

Day 21, Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Proctor Fields Campsite to Chambers Creek Campsite

Mile 222.7

Miles Hiked: 14.7

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One of the big perks of hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail during a pandemic is how effortless it is to stay socially distant. I saw one other human on the 14.7 miles of trail I hiked today, a day hiker closing in on completing his own hiking project—completing the 900 miles of trails in the Smokies. 900-Milers, they’re called.

I love a good hiking project!

Also, I love an empty trail that undulates like an Andy Goldsworthy motif for mile after mile above the lake, dipping in and out of the deep coves carved by so much water flowing in this temperate rainforest.

You know what else loves a trail where few humans tread?

Wildlife.

Today I saw my fifth bear, flying turkeys, grouse and a Monty Python bunny that came at me full speed ahead. Luckily, he really was a harmless bunny who kept running past and off into the sunset.

What else?

Oh, yeah.

I saw A BOBCAT!

She was crossing the footbridge at Chambers Creek campsite. I saw her first, but was unprepared for the sighting. I kept walking while my mind ran through the possibilities—dog? very small deer? OMG, BOBCAT!

By the time I got to “OMG, Bobcat,” she’d seen me and that was the last I saw of her.

Bobcat sightings are so rare, I remember every one. Like remembering where you were on 9-11. Or when you heard RBG had died.

1. Crossing I-26 at the Green River bridge (I thought it was a lanky puppy at first).

2. Point Reyes National Seashore (I sat for several minutes watching it do cat things on top of a log—sharpen its claws, arch its back, lick itself with its back paw up in the air).

3. On the AT between Rich Mountain fire tower and the Spring Mountain Shelter, north of Hot Springs.

4. On the BMT at the Chambers Creek campsite.

I wish I had pictures. But I’m content with the memory of all of these special moments.