In the morning the trail is sloppy but I manage to avoid most of the deep mud. As the day wears on the sun begins to dry things out. In turns into a beautiful day.
My left leg has held up well, thanks in part to the brace. It’s the right foot that has started aching. Might be plantar fasciitis and could also be Achilles’ tendon issues. I’ve been doing a lot of stretching which seems to help a little.
One of an assortment of gorgeous views along today’s journey. Lush green mountains cascading into fertile valleys.
I hadn’t seen a white blaze in a while. I get lost in my thoughts while walking and missing a turn is just what that will do to me. I dreaded having to turn back to find the trail. For some reason my Guthook gps was a little inconclusive. It didn’t indicate I was right on the trail but I wasn’t far off it either. If you go down a wrong path you never know where you might end up. Got lost in the woods years ago and I was dreading the prospect of doing it again. I pondered my predicament and waited to see if another hiker would come by to confirm my path. I took my pack off and had a snack and water but no other hikers came by. Grudgingly, I shouldered my pack and started to head back. Just then a hiker came by and provided assurance that our path lay straight ahead. The white blazes appeared again as we stepped down the path.
There is wildlife here. Saw two deer standing 20 yards off the trail to my right. Looked like two decent size does. They ran off before I could get a good picture. Also saw some pretty light green colored birds. Had a touch of yellow as well. They fluttered around me during a short stretch of rododendrums and mountain laurel.
I hadn’t seen a white blaze in a while. I get lost in my thoughts while walking and missing a turn is just what that will do to me. I dreaded having to turn back to find the trail. For some reason my Guthook gps was a little inconclusive. It didn’t indicate I was right on the trail but I wasn’t far off it either. If you go down a wrong path you never know where you might end up. Got lost in the woods years ago and I was dreading the prospect of doing it again. I pondered my predicament and waited to see if another hiker would come by to confirm my path. I took my pack off and had a snack and water but no other hikers came by. Grudgingly, I shouldered my pack and started to head back. Just then a hiker came by and provided assurance that our path lay straight ahead. The white blazes appeared again as we stepped down the path.
I stopped for lunch at Moreland Gap Shelter . Two of the guys I’ve been camping with (Gary & Pork Chop) show up about 15 minutes later. We seem to be on the same daily pace although during the day we walk together only for short periods before one will jump ahead. Interestingly they are also section hiking from Hot Springs to Damascus but they are going for the Trail Days festival there. Trail Days is the largest hiker festival which last about three days and starts this year on May 14. I should be flying back home by then. A third guy (Nero) showed up at the shelter about an hour later as I was heading back out.
There is wildlife here. Saw two deer standing 20 yards off the trail to my right. Looked like two decent size does. They ran off before I could get a good picture. Also saw some pretty light green colored birds. Had a touch of yellow as well. They fluttered around me during a short stretch of rododendrums and mountain laurel.
Some parts of the trail are forests of rododendrums. Must be a sight when in bloom.
The goal is to do another 12 miles and stay at Black Bear Resort. I can do some resupply there. The gas for my stove is almost empty. It is a good stop just before a larger climb up Pond Mountain, a 2,000 foot climb.
Near the end of the day I pass the remains of a log cabin. Wonder how old it is? I don’t think I would camp near it. It looks haunted.
Made it to the resort. It is 4 tenths of a mile off the trail but now I can resupply, shower, and rest my foot.
Near the end of the day I pass the remains of a log cabin. Wonder how old it is? I don’t think I would camp near it. It looks haunted.
Made it to the resort. It is 4 tenths of a mile off the trail but now I can resupply, shower, and rest my foot.
Black Bear Resort is a nice hostel/ resort. I am staying in this cabin.
Today’s mileage was 12.1 miles plus the walk to the resort for 12.5 miles. Elevation gain was approximately 2,400 feet.
No comments:
Post a Comment