Although my watch thermometer showed that it was about the same temperature as other nights, I was cold for some reason. I think because the way my tent was pitched a breeze was able to get in and blow against my feet. So I didn't sleep well.

Ascending the last 2,000 ft up Mitchell went without incident until the detour. A third of a mile from the summit the trail was closed and I was detoured around on a nature trail. Anyway I figured that maybe there was lots of snow on the trial and the rangers didn't want tourists getting hurt. The problem was that at the vistor center the other side of the trail was closed too. A sign said that they are building a new observation tower. We;; I've come to far not to see the summit so I and another like minded guy went around the gate for the short walk to the summit. The old tower was gone and the foundation was started on the new one. The tomb of the mountain's namesake was the only thing undisturbed. We didn't spend much time there before heading down.

I expected the rest of the day to go easily but there was a a fair amount of snow lingering and there were more ups and downs to Balsam Gap than I realized. I had hoped to be a few miles further but I won't complain. This is a nice spot with water. Hope I'm warmer tonight.