April 26, 2021

Today’s plan is to hike 12 miles to Sam’s Gap and stay at Nature’s Inn Hostel.  The next camp after that looks to be a little to much of a stretch for me besides I desperately need a shower and washed clothes.  The stench is growing.  It has been warm enough to generate a lot of perspiration on the climbs and when it’s been colder and rainy, wearing the rain gear makes you sweat as well since while it keeps rain out it also traps heat in.

Weather is sunny and a little warm but overall pretty good.  Views were great.

This family donated a lot of land to be used as parkland.  I’m walking through it today.  I’ll have to look into it a little more.

Got to Sam’s Gap as planned and shuttled to the hostel.  

There are a group of buildings.  The above has a small sitting area, a kitchen with some food to cook and a few tables to eat by.

I opted for a private cabin.  Had room for two with no plumbing.  Roof over your head and a space heater if needed.  It was right next to a creek so it was relaxing to hear the water flowing by.  There are 4 cabins.  This one was mine.

The bathrooms and laundry were close by. They were very clean and well maintained in this building.  Washing machine and dryer in the back.

The cheaper option was to stay in the bunkhouse for 30 dollars.

There are a fair number of hikers here.  They had a small kitchen and dining area.  You could buy a frozen pizza and they had some limited supplies for sale.  I bought a pizza.  One group of hikers knew local people and they came by with a huge platter of sushi. Whaaat!  I traded some pizza for sushi. Loved it.  And boy was it good to get a shower.

It is a really nice hostel operated by very helpful and friendly people.  Good choice to stay there.

Completed about 12 miles and elevation of about 3,200 feet.