morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-10-14
From: Pinefield Gap (SNP 75.2) 

To: Powell Gap (SNP 69.9)
Miles today: 5.2

Section Hike 08-42, Pinefield Gap to Powell Gap (SNP).Day Hike, 5.2 Miles, Northbound.   Tuesday, 14 October 2008 - Today my hike will be more than a "Walk in the Woods." We are now located in Elkton and only have to drive 13 miles to our access point. I have two steep ascends and two moderate descends. This area along the AT was settled by several farmers, so there are remnants of old apple orchards. The apple trees are still bearing apples and they are very sweet. The trail starts out with a steep climb up to the summit of Weaver Mountain.   The summit of Weaver Mountain is a wooded crest without any views. Trail was nice and it passes through heavy underbrush, sometimes waist high. I can see a lot of blackberry bushes and other kinds of berry bushes that will be a treat in August. There are a lot of big rock slabs off to the sides of the trail. After a short walk on the summit, I start my first downhill trek to Simmons Gap, an elevation drop of about 600 feet.   Simmons Gap is a wind craved gap instead of a water created gap. There is no wind today, but they say that when the wind blows up the side of the ridge, it sounds like a waterfall. My hike down to the gap is easy and when I arrive at the road, I cross the Skyline Drive.   Back up for another 700 feet to Flat Top Mountain. I am rewarded with a nice flat ridge running along the top of the mountain. Now it is easy to see why they call this mountain Flat Top. Meet some day hikers from the campground. Later I spook a deer... rather he spooks me.    On my final descent, I come to a large rock slab that extends out from the side of the mountain. There is a nice view of Roach Valley with at least four more mountains and ridgelines behind the valley. Since the weather is warmer today, the gnats are out and buzzing all the hikers.    Powell Gap is suddenly there in front of me along with the Skyline Drive. I have made good time and arrived at my pick up point ahead of Judy. I see an old apple tree beside the road, pick myself an apple and wait for Judy. She arrives within twenty minutes and we head home to the RV.
Date: 2008-10-15
From: Powell Gap (SNP 69.9)

To: Swift Run Gap (US 33)
Miles today: 6.2

Section Hike 08-43, Powell Gap to Swift Run Gap.Day Hike, 6.2 Miles, Northbound.   Wednedsay, 15 October 2008 - Judy drops me off at Powell Gap and I cross the Skyline Drive to get to the AT. I head into the forest and up a steep, but brief climb towards Little Roundtree Mountain Summit. There are a lot of chestnut oaks, red oaks and hickory trees along this hike, so the autumn colors are out in full. Reaching the summit, there is no view again, but the trail is very good, wide, level and as I hoped, the colors are out.   Soon I am crossing the second of four crossing of the Skyline Drive. I enter an area full of old apple trees. There is a nice fire road that leads towards Hightop Hut. On a side trail of 0.1, I come to the Hut. Like all the huts that I have found on the AT in SNP, it is very clean and functional. I sign the Trail Register and return to the AT and on my way north towards US 33.   On my way up to Hightop Mountain summit, I came to a nice box spring that had a concrete post with a yellow blaze. Box springs are made to catch water from a seeping spring. A box is formed from flat rocks, then a pipe is inserted into the spring to channel the water into the rock box.    I climb on a rocky trail, stop at the summit for a view and then am into a hard descend that will cross the road. As soon as I cross the road, I meet Judy coming up the trail in a flood of yellow. We turn and head back down to our pick up point. Trail is soft, level and wide. We break out onto Skyline Drive at Swift Run Gap and walk along a narrow shoulder to the parking area.    Tomorrow will be the last hike for our 2008 season. We have enjoyed staying around the Shenandoah area for the autumn colors and cooler temps. We will probably do the same next year.
Date: 2008-10-16
From: Swift Run Gap (US 33)

To: Pocosin Fire Road
Miles today: 6.3

Section Hike 08-44, Pocosin Fire Road (SNP) to Swift Run Gap.Day Hike, 6.3 Miles, Southbound.   Thursday, 16 October 2008 - Will be hiking this last section southbound to take advantage of the elevation changes. Judy took me to Pocosin Fire Road near the AT for my hike to Swift Run Gap. This hike was easy because there were no real tough climbs or descends. It was mostly walking in the forest with one or two views. There was an old cemetery at the end of the hike just off the trail that we wanted to explore, if we could find it.   As I am hiking along the ridge, there are a number of views, but all are partly blocked by young trees. Any vistas that are clear are located off rock outcrops or rock slabs. Head up to Baldface Mountain summit, but again there is no view. The trail is full of fallen leaves and soft. I did come across a couple of rocky sections, but most of the trail is leafy. Cross South River Fire Road, South River Falls Trail and South River Picnic Area.   My map shows that Saddleback Mountain is ahead. The trail does not end up crossing over the top of the summit, but going around a small rise on the west side of the mountain. Moved into a mature stand of hickory trees that rise up into the sky as straight as an arrow. While the trail is very good, there are some very large rock formations in the area.    Working my way down the final ridge towards the old cemetery, I keep an eye open for any faint side trails to the cemetery. Just when I think I may have missed the trail, I spot a turn and follow it to the overgrown cemetery. Judy is not with me, so I scout it out and will bring her back so she can take some pictures of the gravestones. She submits the pictures into a web site "Find-A-Grave."    I return to the trail and work my way down to Swift Run Gap and US 33. I am early and take a seat on the rock wall next to the highway. As I am waiting for Judy, I look up the road into Shenandoah National Park, a mother bear and two cubs scrambling across the road and into the woods. This seems a fitting way to end my season hiking. Judy arrives and I tell her I have found the old cemetery. She tells me that she has already gone up to the old cemetery and taken pictures. I tell her about the bears I have seen and she agrees that it is a good way to end our hiking for the year. We will return in May 2009 for more hiking along the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Pocosin Fire Road SNP 59.8

To: Milam Gap SNP 52.8
Miles today: 8.1

AT 09-45-1-VA (Day Hike) (8.1 miles)Wednesday, 13 May 2009Weather: Cool (47 degrees) NorthboundOverview:   Resumed my AT hiking where I stopped last fall. Most of my hikes in the month of May will be mostly day hikes as the Shenandoah National Park provides many access points along Skyline Drive. My hiking plan for 2009 will be to complete the AT in Virginia, West Virginia, and move into Maryland. In July we will do a "Flip-Flop" and move up to Maine where I will climb Mt Katadin, the north end of the AT. After Mt Katadin, I will start a southbound trek and get as far as I can by Labor Day.Judy drove me up to Skyline Drive to mile marker 59.8 and I was off again on the AT. It was good to get back to the beautiful wilderness, complete with many wildflowers. The morning was cold (47 degrees) but I was dressed in layers and felt nice and warm. I am keeping my hike to less than ten miles for a while until I get my trail legs back. As I moved along the trail, the forest floor was filled with thousands of Painted Trilliums in various soft colors. Within a half mile I came to a rock outcropping that presented a nice vista with a cloud bank in the valley to add to the effect.At the 2.0 mile point, I passed next to Lewis Mountain Campground. There were a lot of folks trying to stay warm around campfires, but everyone seems to be having a good time. The campground provides a chance to rest, get water, take a shower or stop for the night.So far in my hike, the trail has been easy with moderate ridges and gaps. I passed by Bearfence Mountain Hut (they call them Shelters in other states), went over Bearfence mountain, and crossed Bearfence Trail. However, at no time did I see a bear or a fence. At the base of Bootens Gap, I encountered my first challenge, a climb of about six hundred feet to the top of Hazeltop.All along the hike today, I had many views from several large rock outcroppings and the trail followed a mountain ridge where I had a constant view of the valley below. About a mile from my pick up point, Judy met me and we hike back to the car together. We are located in Elkton, VA at a campground and will move on up the road to Luray in three days, after I do another day hike.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Milam Gap SNP 52.8

To: Hawksbill Gap SNP 45.6
Miles today: 7.4

Hike AT 09-45-2-VA, Milan Gap (SNP 52.8) to Hawksbill Gap (SNP 45.6)Thursday, 14 May 2009, 7.4 miles, Day Hike.Weather: Heavy overcast, some sunshine later in the day.The temps up on the ridge are warmer today. There is a heavy overcast that threatens rain this afternoon. I should be finished with my hike by time the rains come. It is quite breezy and it will probably get stronger up on the higher ridges.Near the one mile mark, I come upon Tanner Ridge Cemetery. Judy and I came to this cemetery yesterday so she could take some photos of specific gravestones. Judy volunteers for a web site, "Find-A-Grave" that has people place request for pictures of relatives or friend gravestones. She will take the picture and post it on the web site. Folks always appreciate her effort.Passed the Big Meadow Wayside, lodge and store. The lodge sits on a little ridge that overlooks a big meadow where visitors can see wildlife grazing on the tender grass in the meadow. Sightings of deer are common, but at times a bear can be seen in the meadow.Trail continues to vary from smooth path to rocky. While the trail is very good and wide, you have to be careful with your footing, especially in the rock sections. Have passed many day hikers going south and a couple of backpackers, but the wave of Thur-Hikers that started in Maine has not arrived in Virginia yet. There are deer everywhere along the trail. They are not at all afraid of the hikers and are very tame. I had one deer join me on the trail this morning. The deer was walking on the trail ahead of me and continued to walk slowly ahead of me for about a quarter of a mile. Then it moved off the trail and continued to grazed while pass by on my way.About five miles on the hike I came to Franklin Cliffs where the trail runs along the edge of the cliffs. This a section that offers lot of great views and many places to take a rest stop and enjoy the view. The trail ran between a large rock slide on my right and the cliff edge on my left. At 6.4 miles there was a "Blue Blaze" side trail to Byrds Nest #3. This is a hut for day use only and hikers are not permitted to stay in the hut overnight. There were several campsites near the Byrds Nest that could be used by hikers.Arrived at Hawksbill Gap where my ride back to town was waiting. The forecast for tomorrow and the next day is for rain, so I will just relax in the RV and wait a couple days for some sunshine.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Hawksbill Gap SNP 45.6

To: Hughes River Gap SNP 38.6
Miles today: 5.3

Hike 09-46-1-VA, Hawksbill Gap (SNP 45.6) to Hughes River Gap (SNP 38.6)Saturday, 16 May 2009, Day Hike, 5.3 miles.Weather: Overcast to sunny, slight breeze.Got an early start this morning and the trail felt fresh with a cool breeze. I will be hiking over Stony Man Mountain, the highest point in the Shenandoah National Park. On my way to Stony Man Mountain, I went by the Skyland complex, a popular family resort complete with lodge, store, amphitheater, riding stables and other amenities. Some of the long distance hikers look down on having such a commercial complex right next to the trail because it takes away from the "walk through the wilderness." However, many of the same hikers who complain enjoy a nice meal as they pass by Skyland.My hike today would be a short 5.3 miles, but it would provide some great views of the Shenandoah valley below the ridge line. The trail passed along the edge of the rock ledge that runs the length of this hike. The rock ledge dropped about two hundred feet down to the ridge below at a straight drop. In most places where the trail follows the edge of cliff, there are small trees to keep a hiker from fall more than five or ten feet. On this path there was only fresh air between a fallen hiker and the ground. It made for an interesting walk.I saw a total of eight deer on my hike today. I could hardly wait to tell Judy about my deer sightings. The last part of my hike was all downhill to Hughes River Gap. As I approach Judy in the parking area, I am excited to tell her about my deer sightings. However, before I can tell her about my deer, she tells me she just saw a big black bear run across the road. Now, somehow, my sighting of eight deer does not seem so exciting. Oh well, maybe next time...
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Hughes River Gap SNP 38.6

To: Thornton Gap SNP 31.6
Miles today: 7.5

Hike 09-46-2-VA, Hughes River Gap (SNP 38.6) to Thornton Gap (SNP 31.5)Monday, 18 May 2009, Day Hike, 7.5 MilesWeather: Sunny with some clouds, temp 47 degrees.Another great morning for a day hike along the side of a steep ridge. The wildflowers are out everywhere. There are blueberry, blackberry bushes all along the side of the AT. August will be a fine berry eating time for both hikers, deer, bears, and all of forest animals and birds. The valley floor is very clear today because of the recent rains. I should have a lot of vistas today.At mile 2.2 I passed by Pinnacles Picnic Grounds. Stopped for a brief rest break. These facilities offer visitors to the Shenandoah National Park a place to have a short day hike and then lunch at one of many picnic tables. For hikers it is a nice opportunity for cleaning up, resting, but no overnight stays.Stopped at Byrds Nest #3 to sign in on the trail register. All hikers are encouraged to sign in when they hike, especially if they hike solo. Everyone identifies themself by their Trail Names. Reading the trail registers give hikers information about condition of the trail and other bits of data that are helpful. There are always funny comments that bring a laugh to visitors. The bear activity is always high around picnic area because people always leave food bits around the picnic tables.This hike has been a constant series of views from rock outcroppings and as I hike along the trail looking through the trees. At 5.8 miles I climb up to Mary's Rock for a break. The view East looks down on the Shenandoah Valley, to the west is the Blue Ridge and down the side of Mary's Rock is the central entrance to the SNP. Somewhere down there is my pick up point.My final leg has me going downhill for a mile and a half. Downhill treks can be as hard on the feet as uphill climbs. I meet up with Judy and we head to Sperryville for lunch. On the way I see a sign that reads: "Antique tables made daily." A bit of mountain humor..
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Thornton Gap SNP 31.6

To: Elkwallow Gap SNP 23.9
Miles today: 8.6

Hike 09-47-VA, Thornton Gap (SNP 31.5) to Elkwallow Gap (SNP 23.9)Tuesday, 19 May 2009, Day Hike, 8.6 Miles.Weather: Sunny and very nice.While yesterday's hike was filled with views from the AT, today's hike will be more of a walk in the woods. Looking at the maps, it looks like I will be hiking mainly through the forest and not on any steep ridges. Yet, my hike will take me over gentle peaks and into shallow gaps. I start with a climb of eight hundred feet to Pass Mountain. It is very gradual with good switchbacks to ease my climb. About .6 miles into my hike I meet a solo backpacker southbound who asks me if I just saw a big black bear coming down the trail. I look surprised and tell him "NO". He said that he spooked the bear and then the bear took off in my direction. While I would have like to have a bear sighting, I would it be under more friendly conditions. Cross Skyline Drive at Mile Post 28.6 and continue into the woods. I have seen a lot of evidence of bear activities like paw prints and bear scat, so I will not be surprised if I see a bear today. Last year I had two bear sightings and fortunately the bear ran off in the opposite direction.The map has been correct and my hike has been a great "Walk in the Woods". Instead of views, today I have the songs from many different birds. I did not have a single view today, but there will be many in my future hikes. There are many trails that cross the AT in the SNP. The AT is identified with White Blazes, horse trails have Yellow Blazes and side trails have Blue Blazes. The AT is very well marked in SNP with concrete posts, but I have found that the AT is marked very good in all states so far.My pick up point will be Elkwallow Wayside, which is complete with picnic tables, a store, rest rooms and nice large green grass area where people can lay back and relax or play volleyball. Judy is right on time coming from Sperryville where she did more genealogy research.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Elkwallow Gap SNP 23.9

To: South Marshall Mountain, SNP 15.9
Miles today: 7.5

Hike 09-48-1-VA, Elkwallow Gap (SNP 23.9) to South Marshall Mountain (SNP 15.9)Thursday, 21 May 2009, Day Hike, 7.5 Miles.Weather: SunnyStarted with a good climb of one thousand feet over a distance of two and a half miles, so the climb was not too hard. A mile up the trail I reached a side trail to Range View cabin. There are several cabins just off the AT that can be used by hikers, but only with a reservation. Some cabins can sleep up to twelve people and many have outstanding views. Shortly after I passed by Range View cabin side trail, I heard some brush noise and when I looked over, there were two bear cubs. They were playing and while it was interesting to watch them, I started wondering where their mother was located and whether she was watching me. I banged my hiking poles together and they ran off into the woods. I never did see the mother bear and than made me very happy.At the three mile point, I reached the top of Hogback Mountain. Hogback Mountain has four peaks, so you end up hiking over several dips between each peak. The views were great and I stopped to just rest and enjoy the view of the valley below. The valley remains very clear so that you can see at least fifty miles away over five to six ridge lines in the distance.From Hogback Mountain's fourth peak my hike was downhill to Gravel Spring Hut. I did not stop at the hut as I did not need water and had sign the Trail Register a couple of days ago. Just past Gravel Spring Hut, I started up to the summit of South Marshall Mountain, but there was no view from the summit. My hike ended after a lazy descent into a saddle between South Marshall Mountain and North Marshall Mountain. My pick up point was on the Skylind Drive at mile marker 15.9.
Date: 2009-05-22
From: South Marshall Mountain, SNP 15.9

To: Compton Gap, SNP 10.4
Miles today: 5.9

Hike 09-48-2-VA, Skyline Drive 15.9 to Compton Gap (SNP 10.4)Friday, 22 May 2009, Day Hike, 5.9 miles.Weather: Sunny with some clouds.My start this morning has me going up four hundred feet over the summit of North Marshall Mountain right from the trailhead. Switchbacks and plenty of wildflowers makes me happy to be out today. After North Marshall Mountain I travel a mostly level section of ground for about two miles. Recent rains have all the local springs running full of water so there are many sources of water for a hiker all along the trail. Anytime you hike on reasonably level ground, you can see evidence of settlements in the mountains. I passed a couple of house or barn foundations, rock fences and just large piles of rocks where someone clear their land. These people had hard lives with the hard work and cold winters.As I am hiking along a very grassy ridge in a nice open forest, I spot some movement to my left on the ridge. As I look closer, I see a very large black bear grazing on the grass about forty yards away. The bear has not seen me or heard me. This is my second sighting of a bear this week. I stand behind a large oak and watch the bear for about ten minutes. At one time the bear must have heard me, as it looked up and in my direction. I moved behind the tree and out of sight and all was well. The bear return to grazing and I made a smart decision to move on up the trail and away from the bear. I dropped down to Jenkins Gap, over Compton Peak, and down again to Compton Gap where Judy will pick me up. She has hiked back up the trail and I tell her about my second bear sighting. Today there were not any views that were clear, but the bear sighting is all the excitment I really needed.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Compton Gap, SNP 10.4

To: US 522 near Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hike 09-48-3-VA, Compton Gap, SNP 10.4 to US 522 near Front Royal, VA.Sunday, 24 May 2009, Day Hike, 5.6 Miles, Northbound.Weather: Overcast. Another very short hike. I am taking advantage of the many road access point because once we leave Shenandoah National Park, I will have to hike longer day hikes or start my overnight backpacking trips. My hike today will be almost all downhill except for a small three hundred foot ascent just before I reach my pick up on US 522. There are numerous trails that cross the AT and go mostly East to West. Some trails take you only ten to fifteen miles, while other trails will run for a couple of hundred miles. Today I cross Dickey Ridge Trail (nine miles) and Compton Gap Trail.I pause at Possums Rest Overlook for a nice view, then continue along the AT. At 2.7 miles on my hike I take the side trail to Tom Floyd Wayside, a shelter for day use only, and relax while I talk to some Thur-Hikers headed to Mt Katahdin in Maine. They started at Springer Mountain in Georgia on 15 March 2009. They will soon be half way on their AT trek. There were two other side trails that I did not take. One went to North Virginia 4-H Educational Center where hikers can get water. The second side trail, a mile farther went to the North Virginia Trail Center.The final leg took me across VA 602 and later I ended up at US 522 near Front Royal, VA. We are currently parked in Front Royal in a nice campground about twelve miles from this pick up point.