Date: 2017-04-25
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Marble Springs Tent Site
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I knew I had a hard day ahead of me with several long hard climbs. I woke promptly at 6 and was on the trail by 7. As the sky became visible, I could tell it was going to be a beautiful day. I was very much looking forward to a sunny, warm day. The day's hike started by going straight up Floyd Mountain with about a 2,300 ft ascent. It really was a beautiful morning. I came upon 3 deer just standing in the trail. They don't seem to concerned about me when I'm by myself. As I drew closer they finally took off into the woods. As I climbed higher in elevation I noticed the trees have not completely leafed out. I was passed by Bird and Farley fairly early in the climb. I stopped at a campsite to take off my fleece and use the tree facilities, then started hiking again. I was passed by Bird and Farley again. I must have looked confused because they told me they had to get water. They didn't want to carry much up the first hill. Nemo soon passed just as we approached the first shelter. He ducked into the shelter and I continued the climb. Just past the top of Floyd there was a sign pointing to an overlook. I went to check it out and to have a snack. The sun was shining brightly and I stayed there awhile soaking up some rays.The next mountain in my path today was Apple Orchard Mountain with an additional 1,200 ft climb. I met a man having a picnic up there just enjoying the day. We chatted for awhile and I continued on. At the top was what looked like a Doppler radar thing, but is listed in the guide as a Federal Aviation Admin tower. I then got to go down hill for a bit and encountered a rocky downhill section. I really could have used a nice gentle downhill section. But No!! Among the boulders and rocks is the Guillotine. A huge rock is wedged between two boulders which could fall someday. It looks wedged in there pretty good. LoneStar came up on me as we were approaching the second shelter of the day. We both needed? water and lunch so we ducked in there. Nemo was there having lunch as well. LoneStar and I went down to get water and it was a boxed in spring. LoneStar stuck his bladder down in the box to fill it up and a frog jumped up on the bladder. Too funny. He didn't want to get off either, but he was eventually persuaded to get off. We had lunch and continued on up the trail. We passed the Blue Ridge parkway again and came up on the Thunder Ridge Overlook. An older couple were there and they pointed out everything we were seeing. Very nice. They also let us know that there was a trash can in the parking lot. Sweet! The trail went down for a bit here, then up a bit and then down a bit. Pretty harmless, just miles to cover. I had some nice views and went thru a huge patch of trillium. Those flowers are so pretty. Then came Highcock Knob, the last climb of the day. It was only 800 ft but it went straight up for what seemed forever. I really struggled with this last hill. I passed two guys about a quarter of a mile from the top. They said they were camping the same place I was, so I just said see you there and continued up. It was listed as just a wooded summit, but it was actually quite pretty. I was tired though, so just started down the other side. Why the trail goes up to the very tippy top, just to go down the other side is beyond me. The descent was as steep as the ascent. Finally made it to the tent site. JD arrived shortly after we did. He was at our shelter last night. He thought the climbs were not too bad. To be 19 again. Lol. We all had dinner together and now tucked into our tents. Hiker midnight is upon us.