Allen Gap on the AT 1974 and later

 Left Hot Springs, NC, "carrying (must have been) 50-60 pounds" of new food and my gear after a Henderson Court Motel stay.  The date was 26th of June, 1974 and a Wednesday.

Crossed Allen Gap:

where the State Line Service Station and Cafe was found. We had ice cream (great).

This next shot is a Google Street View from 2007:

and one from 2009:

Google Earth Pro gives you aerial photography of the area back to 1985 but the earlier stuff has a crude resolution.