Date: 2012-05-01
From: Elk Gardens

To: Fox Creek, VA 603
Miles today: 17.0

Rocks, rocks, boulders, and more rocks! And these ones made yesterday's look tame.It was a little cooler this morning - only 62 - when I started, but it did make a difference. Started early up over Elk Gardens Ridge, where the trail was great - for the first 3/4 mile. Then the rocks began. But I was anxious to get to Grayson Highlands, so I plodded on. I am having some MAJOR issues with my left heel, and could barely get my boot on this morning, so Vitamin I was on the menu with breakfast. Works great until it wears off, but doesn't fix the issue. I know what I have to do, but not sure my head is there yet.Again, there was a large ascent up to the Highlands. Just before Thomas Knob, I ran into Animal, whom I had seen yesterday toward the end of my hike. I inquired about last night's weather on. the mountain. He said it had been rough - inch-size hail and lots of rain. I guess it was quite the storm. Sure glad we had headed for a lower elevation. I guess that explains all of the ponded water on the trail this morning - large ponds. You either had to hike through it, or around it, if that was even possible. Animal pointed to the wild ponies in the distance out on the Highlands. I could not get a focus on them from that far on my camera, so he watched my stuff while I hiked out there a ways to be able to get some semblance of a picture of them. I knew I wanted a picture of them, and was not sure I would get any along the trail.The wild ponies that live in the Highlands are like that - sometimes they make themselves visible to hikers and sometimes not. At least I had one picture! When I returned to the trail, Animal left toward the shelter, and I soon followed. Before long, I passed him and continued UP toward the shelter. When I made it to Thomas Knob, there were several other hikers still there from the night before, all talking about the storm. I rested for a short bit, and continued on. Shortly after, I thought I saw a little color coming toward me. It was a wild pony - yes! It meandered down the trail toward me, and I managed to get a good picture. Soon, it was licking my hand, and then it moved on southward, munching on grass along the way. These ponies are amazing - they don't seem to be timid at all. So glad that I had this encounter, as it was the only one I would see up close all day. It made the hike up, worth it.When I think of the term Highlands, a picture of grassy meadowlands pops into my mind. And the Grayson Highlands are that - everywhere except the AT! I continued to rock and boulder hop. At times it was difficult to figure out where the trail was. I would be looking off into the distance for a white blaze, only to look up and discover it was over my head, meaning I had to climb up and through the boulders. So, up and over I went, again and again. Finally, I made it to Wise Shelter, my next destination.This shelter held major significance for me as it marks the 500 mile mark on the AT for northbounders - yay!! There marked with rocks in front of the shelter was the number 500. Nearly one quarter of the AT. I rested here as I was exhausted, watered up, and ate for some more energy. I only had a little over 3 miles to go, or so I thought. Tagalong was meeting me at a place called the Scales, a livestock area that crosses the trail. If I had gone through one stile today, I had done at least fifteen. Lots of cattle land up here. When I finally summitted Stone Mountain (now why would it be named that - haha!) I looked below at the Scales area. I could see people, but no Tagalong. By the time I hiked down there, no Tagalong to be seen. I asked if anyone had seen him and they had not.So, totally wiped out, I looked at the map to find that I had about 5 more miles to hike to VA 603. Since he was not at the Scales, that meant he could not get the vehicle up the road. The first half of this section was, again, UP. And rocky. While time seemed to be going fast, the mileage sure wasn't. I knew I was hiking slowly, but at least I was still putting one foot in front of the other. Finally, the trail turned downhill - still rocky, but at least it was downhill. In what seemed like forever, I made it to Old Orchard Shelter, where two other hikers were starting to get settled in for the night. It was still fairly early by normal standards (around 4:30) but hiker midnight comes early - often before 7 PM. I asked about water, and they said there was a good piped water source about 5-10 minutes away. Hmmm.....possibly a 20-minute round trip, I don't think so. So, I drank the last of my water, and continued on the remaining 1.7 miles. The trail finally leveled out on the last 3/4 mile. As I crossed the last stream, there were other hikers there on the footbridge soaking their feet. They greeted me and told me what a great guy Tagalong was as he had helped them out, etc. They offered me a beer, but I declined as all I wanted to do was get to the vehicle and off my screaming feet! I hurried on the last .2 miles and finally saw Tagalong and our vehicle. Unfortunately, I had not been able to get phone service all day, nor had he, so we had had no means of communicating with one another. He was worried, and I was worried about what he thinking in terms of my whereabouts. But, the good news is that I made it, although it was a longer day than anticipated. The boot removal was very painful.It still was a great day, and we will see what the foot situation is in the morning.