morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-24
From: Reeds Gap (BRP 13.6)

To: Tye River (VA 56).
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 08-32, Reeds Gap (BRP 13.6) to Tye River Trailhead (VA 56).Day Hike, 10.5 Miles, Southbound.   Wednesday, 24 September 2008 - This is another hike where I made the decision to go southbound instead of north. I elected to go south and have the hike end with a long descent rather than start with a long climb. That is the advantage I have being able to pick my road access points and having a support team to take my to the varies points.    I have returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway where the AT will closely follow the Parkway in future hikes. It will be a hard hike of 10.5 miles for this old man of 74. There is a 3000 foot descent at the end, but over a six mile stretch. Right away I start climbing along the side of an open field, headed to the crest of Meadow Mountain. Arriving at the crest, the trail at first ran along a dirt packed path in the forest. Then I encounter the first of several rock slides, the result of Hurricane Camille in 1969. After a bit of rock scrambling, I am rewarded with a view of the Blue Ridge Parkway at the top of the ridges.    A short descent to the junction of the side trail to Maupin Field Shelter. Did not stop as it is too early for a rest, I don't need water, and nature is not calling. Begin another climb on a steep and rocky ridge leading to Hanging Rock. There I am greeted with yet another great view. Hanging Rock has the right name, it is a rock formation that extends off the ridge and is flat on top. It is the size of a living room and a perfect place for a break. I can see Three Ridges and Harpers Creek, all sites that I will hike over today.    Hiking over the Three Ridges was mostly travel over ridges of thick woods, with many rock slides. Rocks vary from house size to basketball size. Now the trail is just rock hopping. In this section, the AT is poorly marked. Fortunately, the trail is well defined and easy to follow. There is evidence of rock fences built by farmers to keep their cattle close.    My descent from the ridges takes me by Chimney Rocks. Chimney Rocks looks like smoke stacks. Some of the rocks seem to balance on top of other rocks. Arrive at Harpers Creek Shelter, I take a well deserved rest break. Then it is back to another climb and a descent. As I round a bend in the trail, there is a grand surprise for me. Judy is sitting along the side of the trail waiting for me. She has hiked up about a thousand feet over a mile and three-quarters. We chat some and then continue down the trail.    We can hear the road traffic and then the trail levels out. The Tye River flows up ahead and we cross a nice long 100 foot wooden suspension bridge that sways back and forth as we cross. The way home (our car) is just on the other side of the suspension bridge. This hike was very enjoyable with all the views and rock scrambling and the suspension bridge was a good ending.
Date: 2008-09-28
From: Reeds Gap (BRP 13.6).

To: Dripping Rock Parking Area.
Miles today: 4.8

Section Hike 08-33A, Reeds Gap (BRP 13.6) to Dripping Rock Parking Area (BRP 9.6), Day Hike 1, 4.8 Miles, Northbound.   Sunday, 28 September 2008 - Doing day hikes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Trail access is plentiful and I can do short or long hikes as I please. Coming up to Reeds Gap, we got some great pictures of the fog banks lying in the gaps down in the valley. Up on the AT it is clear, but cool. Judy dropped me off and drove down to Dripping Rock to start her hike back up the trail to meet me, probably around half way.   Within a short distance, I come to Three Ridge Overlook, but this side of the ridge is foggy down in the valley, so no real view. Trail is very rocky in this area of the Parkway and AT. The AT is doing a lot of gentle rolling and I came to a nice mountain stream cascading over the rocks and across the trail. Trees are wet from all the rain in the past three days. Every time the wind picks up along the ridge, drops fall out of the trees and on anyone hiking along the trail.   As I had figured, when I am a little past the half way point on the trail, here comes Judy up the trail towards me. This was a 4.8 miles hike, so it was basically a "morning stroll in the woods" for both of us. We join up and head back down the ridge to the car. The trail is still very rocky and the rocks are wet, which makes for a slippery situation. We take our time so we don't end up falling. It hurts when you fall on rocks, even just a little fall. The rocks are mostly a part of the many rock slides, so when we are not crossing a rock slide, the path is very nice.    You can tell Autumn is coming as there are a lot of fallen leaves on the trail and all over the forest floor. The leaves on the trees are starting to change colors very slightly. Cedar Cliffs is ahead and it makes for a good rest stop. There is a good view and we sit and relax on a large rock slab.   We end our hike and head back to the RV for lunch. We are getting close to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and then we will begin hiking in the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2008-09-30
From: Dripping Rock Parking Area (BRP 9.6).

To: Humpback Rocks Parking Area (BRP 6.0)
Miles today: 4.5

Section Hike 08-33B, Dripping Rock Parking Area (BRP 9.6) to Humpback Rocks Parking Area (BRP 6.0). Day Hike 2, 4.5 Miles, Northbound.   Tuesday, 30 September 2008 - Nice and sunny this morning. Another short hike of 4.5 miles. I am about to complete my AT hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Completion will come on my next hike to Rockfish Gap at the intersection of Interstate 64 and US 250. Today the hike should be moderate and I should have some views.   After a short descent through the woods, I come to Laurel Springs. On the way down the ridge, I saw a nice white tail deer. I am seeing deer on just about all my hikes now. Laurel Springs is almost dry, but there are a couple of box springs to gather the little water that flows. A box spring is a hole that is dug in the stream bed to catch the water. Stones are placed on the sides of the hole to act as a wall.    A Blue Blaze trail runs off to my left 1.3 miles to Humpback Picnic Area. This is a good rest stop for hikers. It has picnic tables, restroom and good water, but hikers can not camp at the picnic area. The bad news is that a round trip will add 2.6 miles to your AT hike. Reach the north Summit of Humpback Mountain and I have a good view of the valley. This hike is all about Humpback with Humpback Picnic Area, Humpback Ridge, Humpback Mountain and at the end Humpback Rocks. Trail continues to alternate between rocky and very nice trail covered with fallen leaves. The trail has been following a stone hog fence. The stone hog fence was used to keep the hogs on the mountain where they could eat fallen acorns, hickory nuts and chestnuts.    I am past the half way point on the trail and I have not meet Judy yet. I don't worry about Judy as she may have changed her mind and just wait for me at the car. Later as I arrive at the parking area, I find out that she made a short hike up to Humpback Rocks instead of hiking back up the trail towards me. The skies are clouding up and there is a good possibility of rain before too long, so I'm glad to be finishing my hike. We started back to the RV and before we arrive, it starts to rain very hard. Looks like I finished my hike just in time. My next day hike will be from Humpback Rocks to Rockfish Gap next to Waynesboro, VA. That will complete my hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the beginning of my adventure in the Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2008-10-04
From: Rockfish Gap (BRP 0.0). 

To: Beagle Gap (SNL 99.5).
Miles today: 5.5

Section Hike 08-35, Rockfish Gap (BRP 0.0) to Beagle Gap (SNP 99.5).Day Hike, 5.5 Miles, Northbound.   Saturday, 4 October 2008 - My planned hikes through the Shenandoah National Park (SNP) will be short day hikes. The AT runs along the side of the Skyline Drive for the entire length of the SNP. AT crosses the Skyline Drive many times. Even with the near proximity of the Skyline Drive, the AT drops down to ridge lines or climbs up to the crest of the mountains to give the hiker the adventure of a wilderness experience. The AT will cross the Skyline Drive about every two to four miles, sometimes less.   Rockfish Gap is past the end of BRP and before the beginning of SNP. Many say that hiking in the Shenandoah National Park is some of the most beautiful hike on the AT. The shorter hikes will let Judy enjoy more hiking and we will be able to see the Autumn colors together. I immediately cross over Interstate 64 and move into the SNP. The road noise is loud, but it fades as I go down the trail. It is a brisk 49 degrees, but I will warm up soon.    It has been a steady climb since I left Rockfish Gap and I reach the SNP entry station. This is where long distance hikers get camping permits to stay in the shelters or camp on primitive sites. So far the trail has been good, but I suspect that a rocky trail is in my future. I spook two white tail deer. They seem tame here in the protection of the park. I have been hiking along an old logging road that is nice and wide and easy. The trail turns away from the logging road and I am into the rocky trail again.    At McCormick Gap I have my first road crossing. Judy is there at the crossing to greet me and then she drives on to my pick up point at Beagle Gap. Later as I am walking up a switchback, something catches my eye up on the ridge and I think it might be a bear. My heart beats hard, but it turns from fear to love as I see that it is Judy. She is sitting on a rock waiting for me to arrive. She has hike up from Beagle Gap about two miles. The trail to the road is steep and has many small rocks which makes for a slippery hike.    We have one more climb up to the summit of Bear Den Mountain. There are three communication towers on the summit. As we approach the towers, at the base near the tower complex, there is a ring of tractor seats embedded in the ground in a semi-circle facing west. I figure it must be a place where hikers can sit and watch the sunset. Down the mountain and we reach Beagle Gap and the end of our hike.
Date: 2008-10-05
From: Beagle Gap (SNL 99.5).

To: Sawmill Run Overlook (SNL 95.3) 
Miles today: 4.3

Section Hike 08-36, Beagle Gap (SNL 99.5) to Sawmill Run Overlook (SNL 95.3).Day Hike, 4.3 Miles, Northbound.   Sunday, 5 October 2008 - Got to Beagle Gap access next to the road and start an uphill trek towards the summit of Calf Mountain. My pick up point today will be at Sawmill Run Overlook at SNP 95.4. The ascend up to the summit is on a very good trail and I am able to make good time. There is a fair view of the Shenandoah Valley from the summit. After the summit, I see a big white tail deer. We come within ten feet of each other and were both shocked. Before I could take a picture, the deer is gone.    I reach the Blue Blazed side trail to Calf Mountain Shelter. The shelter is .3 mile down a ridge. I have water, don't need a rest, so I pass on a visit to the shelter. Later I find out from Judy that three Thur-Hikers passed her as she was hiking towards me, so there were three hikers in the shelter last night.    The trail is very well marked within the SNP. They even have concrete posts to let hikers know that there is a spring on the trail. As the trail comes near the Skyline Drive, you can hear road noise either above or below the trail. As I passed the marked spring, I hear a lot of rustling on the upper side of the ridge where I am hiking. I look up and I see a large black bear running up the side of the ridge. The bear stops and looks back down at me through the brush. I stop and just stand quiet, but after ten minutes, the bear moves on. I am very happy the bear went off in the opposite direction.    Jarman Gap is an early exit point for any day hikers. I can see cars on the Skyline Drive below me off the ridge. The trail I am on today is one of the best trails so far this year. I can walk at a normal pace and not be concerned about rocks or tree roots.    As I am ascending the ridge, I hear Judy hiking towards me. We meet and both comment on what a nice trail we have for our hike. She joins me and we continue to Sawmill Run Overlook. The trees are turning their autumn colors and it makes a beautiful picture. We reach a knoll on Bucks Elbow Mountain and there is a good view of the Shenandoah Valley. Then the trail starts downward to Skyline Drive at the overlook. Its a beautiful day and all the overlooks are busy with hikers, bikers and people just out exploring or enjoying the views.    We arrive at our pick up point, unload my day pack and head for the RV. These shorter hikes are working out good and it lets Judy and I enjoy more hiking together and the fall colors. We are normally done with our hike by noon, so we have the rest of the day to do other activities or run errands.
Date: 2008-10-06
From: Sawmill Run Overlook (SNL 95.3) 

To: Crimora Lake Overlook (SNL 92.4)
Miles today: 3.6

Section Hike 08-37, Sawmill Run Overlook to Crimora Lake Overlook.Day Hike, 3.6 Miles, Northbound.   Monday, 6 October 2008 - This was a very short section hike of 3.6 miles. We have been enjoying our shorter day hikes, especially with all the Autumn colors out on the trail and in the mountains. As is our routine, Judy dropped me off at Sawmill Run Overlook and drove on to Crimora Lake Overlook. There she started hiking back to meet me.    The trail is excellent being flat and with very few rocks or tree roots. Within a mile, I come to Turk Mountain, the high point on our hike today. There is a side trail of two miles to reach the summit, but the day is hazy and I don't want to add four miles to my hike, so I just continue down the path. The AT is crossed by many other trails within Shenandoah National Park. The park has about five hundred miles of trails counting the AT. The AT is marked with white blazes, other trails have blue blazes and horse trails have yellow blazes. All trail junctions are marked with concrete posts.   Cross Skyline Drive at Turk Gap (SNP 94.2). Shortly after crossing I meet Judy on the trail. She has enjoyed the nice trail and we comment about how good the temps are today. We are seeing the Autumn colors increase in brilliance with each passing day. Distant views of the mountains and ridges are amazing, but being in the forest when the colors are out is a real experience. Pass two hikers on their way north headed to Lewis Mountain near Front Royal. At Crimora Lake Overlook we pause to take in the view, unload and head for our favorite Chinese Food place in Waynesboro, VA.
Date: 2008-10-07
From: Crimora Lake Overlook (SNL 92.4)

To: Horsehead Overlook (SNP 88.9)
Miles today: 4.1

Section Hike 08-38, Crimora Lake Overlook to Horsehead Overlook (SNP).Day Hike, 4.1 Miles, Northbound.   Tuesday, 7 October 2008 - Another cool morning in the valley and it is even cooler up here on the ridges. Temps in the upper 40s at the start of my hike. Another short day hike of 4.1 miles with several moderate climbs and descents. Judy drove up ahead to start hiking back. The trail looks good, so I should be able to make good time... not that I am in a hurry. Skies are grey and there is a slight, but cool breeze up here on the ridge.    I come to the junction of Wildcat Ridge Trail and pause to check my map. I am on the quiet side of the ridge and there is no breeze now, so it is a little warmer. I was suppose to stop at Riprap Overlook, but missed the side trail up to the overlook. I know that the overlook was near because I could hear the road traffic above me, but never did see the side trail.    Its very enjoyable hiking with all the colors out in full force now. In the section that I am hiking today, the forest is filled with bright red leaves on the trees. You get the feeling that you are swimming or floating in a sea of bright red. It is something to watch the trail change from yellow to red to orange.      A southbound Thur-Hiker comes down the trail. He hopes to reach Springer Mountain in two months to complete his AT Adventure of 2157 miles. He looks like he has been on the AT for a long time with a long, shaggy beard and in bad need of a haircut. He tells me that Judy is right behind him on the trail. Then I see Judy, she is all bound up in her hooded sweatshirt and looks warm.    Cross Skyline Drive and then twenty minutes later come to Skyline Drive again. This crossing is just south of Horsehead Overlook about one hundred and fifty yards. We walk to the Overlook and head home.
Date: 2008-10-09
From: Horsehead Overlook (SNP 88.9)

To: Jones Run Trail Parking (SNP 84.3)
Miles today: 4.1

Section Hike 08-39, Horsehead Overlook to Jones Run Trail Parking.Day Hike, 4.1 Miles, Northbound.   Thursday, 9 October 2008 - Sunny with clouds, possible showers. Last night we had a couple of light showers. The trail drains good, but it will be wet and muddy. I like hiking after a rain storm, it brings out the wonderful fresh aroma of the woods. The sun peeks in and out of the trees when the clouds overhead open up.   Started out just south of Horsehead Overlook and headed down the ridge towards Blackrock Gap. The fall colors are all over the trail and hiking is cool and colorful. Blackrock Gap is a gap near the Skyline Drive. I can see the Drive below the trail, but will not cross it at this time.   Came to a side trail leading .2 miles east to Blackrock Hut. Trail was a very steep descent to the Hut. I would normally go to the shelter or hut to sign in, but it will take me at least 30 minutes before I return to the AT, so I just head north.    Into a good climb to Blackrock Mountain. There is a big rock slide with the trail passing through the middle of the slide. The view from the slide is awesome. As I climb the ridge towards the crest of Blackrock Mountain and approach the rock slide, I hear a familiar voice. Judy is talking to our daughter on her cell phone and enjoying a view from a large rock. The view of the Shenandoah Valley is breathtaking. The rock slide is massive and most of the rocks are as big as cars. I am pleased to find that the trail across the middle of the rock slide is nice flat and wide.    We take several pictures of the rock slide and the valley view and head down the ridge to our end point. Cross Skyline Drive at mile marker 84.3 and continue along the side of the road in the woods to the parking area and our car. It was a short hike, but a very nice hike and we still have the rest of the day to explore Waynesboro, VA.
Date: 2008-10-10
From: Jones Run Trail Parking (SNP 84.3)

To: Loft Mountain Campground Store.
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

Section Hike 08-40, Jones Run Trail Parking to Loft Mountain Campground Store.Day Hike, 5.8 Miles, Northbound.   Friday, 10 October 2008 - Got off to an early start this morning. It is foggy in the valley and on parts of the Skyline Drive. Saw several deer on the side of the road on the way to the trailhead. At the trailhead it is clear and sunny.    Start hiking along the side of a steep ridge. Pass Dundo Group Campground above my trail. There are several workers cleaning up the campground. There is water and a privy available for all hikers, but camping overnight is reserved for groups only. The campground sits on top of a nice grassy knob about a quarter of a mile from Skyline Drive.    This morning I will cross two popular trails. At Browns Gap there is a trail that leads down to some nice waterfalls. Later there is Big Run Loop Trail with more waterfalls. Both are loop trails that take day hikers back to Skyline Drive. As I pass Big Run Loop Trail I come upon a beautiful deer next to the trail. The deer just stands near the trail and looks at me. I take a picture and then it slowly moves away from the trail. We see a lot of deer now along the road and on the trail. None seem to be afraid of the hikers.   Cross Skyline Drive at mile marker 82.2 and then Doyles River Overlook at marker 81.9. From Doyle Overlook, I can see farmlands, the valley, ridges and mountains. Everything is dressed in fall colors. Reach Big Flat Mountain with a large flat limestone rock formation that makes a good rest stop and picture taking. Pause for a while and then moving again. It would be a great place for a brief nap, but I have to meet Judy down the trail.    On the ridge along the side of Loft Mountain Campground, I meet Judy at another rock outcropping. The trail around Loft Mountain Campground is about a mile and a half. The campground is on top of the ridge and has a good view of the valley. It would be a good place to park our RV, but we are happy with our campground in Waynesboro.
Date: 2008-10-11
From: Loft Mountain Campground Store (SNP) .

To: Pinefield Gap (SNP 75.2) 
Miles today: 6.0

Section Hike 08-41, Pinefield Gap to Loft Mountain Campground Store.Day Hike, 6.0 Miles, Southbound.   Saturday, 11 October 2008 - Made the decision to hike this section back to Loft Mountain Campground Store going south. Going south means that I will have a lot more climbing, but it will be closer to our campground. There is a lot more parking at the Loft Mountain Campground. The parking around Pinefield Gap is remote and I don't feel good about Judy waiting for me at that point.    As I leave the Pinefield Gap Access Point, I follow a dirt road leading to Pinefield Hut. The hut is 170 yards off the AT, but I want to see what the hut looks like and sign the Trail Register. I found the hut to be very clean and located in a nice open forest site with a good mountain stream in front. Someone spent the night at the hut and built a fire this morning. There were still hot coals in the fire pit. After signing in on the register, I return to the AT and head south.   An hour and a half into my hike I am climbing without the aid of switchbacks. The elevation gain is about 630 feet, but it has been gradual. When I reach the crest, the trail goes into a rolling cycle. It goes up and the down and the repeats. Rolling means that any ascends or descends are not over a hundred feet in elevation change. There is not any clear view. There were views, but all were through the trees.   Much to my surprise, Judy joins me on the trail. She stopped off at Ivy Creek Overlook, a third of the way on my hike and hiked back to meet me. We hike to Ivy Creek Overlook and then she drives off to Loft Mountain Campground. After a descent through a nice hemlock grove, I come to Ivy Creek. The creek is a beautiful mountain stream that comes down the mountain and makes its way over many rocks and into pools by the trail.    Start up a steep ascent to the top of Loft Mountain. There are several very nice views from rock outcroppings. Lot of hikers and campers enjoying the views. I am joined again by Judy and we walk along the trail which runs along the outside of the campground for a mile or two. You can see the various RVs and some tents and hear folks talking in the campground.    We enjoy the hike back through the forest always looking at the yellow, orange and red colors at this time of the year. Sometimes our only expression is a single word - "WOW". We are glad that we stayed in Virginia this year and waited for the Fall colors.