Day 5

We decided to “slack pack” today.  We hired a shuttle driver (Gene) to drive us to Hogpen Gap so we could hike 7 miles back to the cabin with only a light pack.  The day started out foggy and cloudy.  Some areas on the drive were like pea soup and the drivers cruise these winding mountain roads at a good clip even in the fog!  Gene is a retired and very friendly.  He got us to our starting point at around 8am.

As we climbed the first mountain the skies cleared to reveal some gorgeous views.  Love the peaks extending above the fog.

Temperatures rose to the low sixties so we hiked in t-shirts and were plenty warm.  During the day we encountered a ROTC group in full gear.  Now those packs looked heavy.  

We came across lots of hikers we’ve been leapfrogging and one of them named Cowboy lost seven pounds from his pack from the shakedown by the outfitters at Mountain Crossing.  

Sandy, Gary and Dave on the trail.

We were done our hike by noon and had chili for lunch at the country store by the cabins then resupplied at Montain Crossings to get ready to set off again tomorrow.  Got enough cell phone service to call Deirdra and return Gerry’s call😊.

It was nice to have an easier day.

We are grilling steak tonight and will be in bed early.  The forecast calls for rain.😩.  We will shuttle back to Hogpen Gap in the morning to continue northward.  Gary however is heading home.