Date: 2015-04-18
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

4/18, Niday Shelter, 18.2It was a great idea to stop a little early yesterday, and rest up for today. We arose around 6:30 with great attitudes toward the day. The night was clear and eventually cooled off so we slept well. The morning treated us to a decent sunrise and we packed quickly to be on trail at 8. Our first few miles meandered down into the bottom of the valley and over a short ridge and the next two miles were a very steep climb. We worked our legs climbing 1100 ft on a moderate slope over two miles. I reached the top ahead of Maverick and pushed on to the first shelter at 6 miles. I stopped at the shelter at 10:45 and decided to get water and wait for Maverick. Since I had a good amount of "lunch and snacks" for the day, I decided to have a first lunch. I had a hard salami and provolone with mayo wrap, a snickers, a half cup of trail mix and two bottles of gatorade. I waited for Maverick, and thought I heard him at one point, but an hour later I figured he must have hiked past the shelter turn off, so I hiked on.The hike dropped down into the next valley, through some farm pastures and headed for the next ridge. There were several day hikers out and I asked one of them if they had seen another hiker. Yes they said he was just a short ways ahead of me. From there description I was sure it was Maverick , so I hiked on. It is not unusual for hikers who move day to day together to hike at different paces. Maverick always says I hike faster uphill than he does so I figured I would catch him on the big climb ahead. This one was another 1100 ft, but had a very steep section right at the top. I saw Maverick ahead about half way up, and joined him just as we made he top. We both decided it was a good place for second lunch. Our hike then took us along a narrow ridge that followed te Eastern Continental Divide for several miles. The terrain was nice at first, and the elevation change on the ridge was up and down a couple hundred feet as we rolled along. The ridge hike became eventful when we found the trail crossed about a mile of car size boulders laying on an angle. Fortunately conditions were dry so our shoes had good traction, but we often found ourselves climbing between boulders, and leaping across others. I have always enjoyed rock hopping but with a 35 lb pack it wears hard on the feet. We had pretty sore feet by the end of the ridge, and then the trail down to the shelter was also rocky. It always amazes me how my feet and knees can recover overnight, but at this point I use very little Ibuprofen anymore, and am just fine in the morning. We arrived at the shelter at 6, filled water, ate and did our usual chores. Maverick read in the shelter log that Fresh Grounds is set up a mile and a half ahead of us, and should have breakfast in the morning. We will sleep well tonight knowing our morning will start with a short hike, and a big breakfast. Hopefully it will not slow us too much as we need to get nearly 17 miles to reach my resupply. I planned well this time, and have carried just enough food to get to the next mail drop.Another highlight from todays hike was the wildlife coming forth. On the first climb I flushed a wild turkey from near the trail. It didn't startle me but waited until I was fifteen feet past to fly off with a whoosh. Maverick saw another black snake sunning itself in a tree above the trail but I missed that one. I did see my first, and second lizard of the trip. They were about six inches long and sunning themselves on the trail. Temperatures today reached the low 70's so many insects have also arrived. Several different butterflies, gnats, black flies and a mosquito or two have all been hiking companions today, but the most noticeable new face was the low humming of the bumblebees. I noticed it most of the afternoon and occasionally watched one search along the side of the trail for an open wildflower. Spring has barely begun at this point so I am sure there will be more to come. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.Silverback