Date: 2003-06-16
From: Stoney Creek Valley

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

start Stony Creek Valleydestination Bailey Gap ShelterWhen I got up this morning and looked out the window this morning, it was pouring rain like I have never seen.There was no way even to see cars out in the parking lot.I went back to bed. When I got up again, the rain had stopped, but the sky was a dismal grey. Darkclouds hung low in the sky, threatening to spill rain at any moment. Mudbutt turned on the TV to try to catch the weather report. It was not good. Flash floods for Pearisburg, and surrounding areas. We did what any self respecting hiker would do, we packed up and went to breakfast. Kinickinic wasgoing to drive us back to the trail this morning. She tried her best to talk usout of getting back on the trail with the weather being what it was. But we persisted and headed off down the road. We turned off of the main road and came up on a sign on the road saying the road was closed due to water over the road. Kinickinic didn't even bat an eye. Or slow down. We came upon a guy with the highway department. He was holding a stop sign that meant for us to stop. There was some question as to whether or not we were supposed to stop. At least to our driver. We did stop at the last minute. I am sure the poor man was wondering if we were going to stop. I asked him how much water was over the road. He smiled at me with half closed eyes and said "I don't rightly know ma'am. He drew out the word " maam" so that it was two syllables" I asked him if the road was open now. I got the same response as before. I wondered aboutthe walkie talkie in his hand. It squalked to life after awhile and he turned the sign around and motioned us on. So much for road info. As we drove we could see where the water had rushed down off of the mountain and washed away parts of the road. Mudbutt and I looked at each other. The small friendly creek from yesterday had turned into a torrential current. A baby deer jumped out from the side of the road and was out of sight in a flash.After farewells to Kinickinic who continued to try to talk us into notleaving, we headed back up the trail.The data book said we would cross a small tributary of the Stony Creek. As we came to it I was thrilled to see it was crossable with no trouble. A short time later I stopped dead in my tracks. There in front of me was the tributary of StonyCreek. It was by no means a small one. The days and days of rain had swollen this creek into a raging stream. As Mudbutt came up behind me, her mouth opened wide with dismay. There was no way we could cross this stream. Not only was it too swift, it was too wide. We studied the situation before us, and decided that going along the bank farther upstream was our best option. And not much of an option at that. It took us over an hour to cross the stream. There is no way to describe howwe crossed. I know I have been more afraid in my life, but the memory of that time escapes me right now. I can tell you that I walked along two fallen trees that were across the creek, with water rushing at an alarming rate beneath them. I can also tell you that at one time my foot slipped and I thought I was going to be baptised all over again. But I managed to keep my balance and took another step. Then I froze. I paniced for a split second, but I was already committed to following through with the step. I had a foot on each log, and they were about 18 inches apart at that time. Well, there was no way I could stand there suspended over the creek for the rest of my life, so I took a deep breath, and another step. My heart was pounding so hard I could hear it over the roar of the water. But I made it across, suprizingly without even getting my feet wet. Poor Mudbutt didn't fare so well. There was no way she was going to try to walk those logs, so she ended up scooting along on her rear. I am sure she peeled most ofthe bark off of that log. Plus, going along the bank, she was in the water most of the way. We bushwacked our way up the bank and back to the trail where we hugged each other and did the dance of the real woman. I did not realize how dangerous crossing that stream was until Mudbutt and Istopped for lunch. As I got ready to put my pack back on, my guardian angel pinthat Papermaker had given me, was lying on it's back with it's wings pushed down into the mud. The pin back that held it on was lying beside it. I swear I scared even my guardian angel with that stream crossing. I picked the pin up and put it inside my fanny pack for a safer ride. The rest of the day was a breeze and it did not rain until we were at theshelter and almost through with supper. Pirate and The Buddy was already there and we spent the rest of the evening talking. I found out that Pirate lives about 30 minutes from me. I made some chocolate pudding to celebrate being back on the trail with Mudbutt. Topped with chopped macadamia nuts, it was most delicious. We shared it with our shelter mates. They all agreed it was the best. Since there is not a level spot here, much less one not standing in water, we are both in the shelter tonight. We are told the mice ran rampant last night. Fun,fun.total miles 3.6