Date: 2005-04-10
To: Massanutten Shakedown (Sunday)
Miles today: 0.0

I exhausted the water supply making morning oatmeal. The map suggested that there was water about one mile down the Fort Valley side of Habron Gap. So, getting water was the first order of business for the day. It was 10:00 by the time I got back to ridge line.   As I continued south along the ridge line, I began noticing hoof prints. It is hard to imagine horses going over some of these steep and rocky places -- well, at least not mounted. For the most part, the trail is along the ridge, but along one stretch the trail builders diverted the blazed trail off the ridge line for a couple miles and snaked it along the 30 degree mountain side facing the Shenandoah River. This would be a particularly hard course for a horse (I would think). I noticed on my way back out, that there was a hint of a path staying closer to the ridge line. That, I imagine, would be a rider's less scenic, but more maneuverable way.   I hiked to Kennedy Peak. An observation tower is built there, with a sheltered area below the deck to sleep 4 (if they are very good friends). The wood is weathered, and someone has started hauling up lumber, I would presume for eventual repairs. A strategically placed rock braces one side of the stair accessing the observation deck. But, the stair feels structurally sound. Two mountain bikers showed up. They were doing a loop up Massanutten trail down Steven's Trail. Other than the day hiker yesterday, these were the only people I saw over the weekend.   I noticed an occasional black and white butterfly. One instance included a mating pair. Even in their awkward embrace, they managed to evade my attempt at a close up.    I left Kennedy Peak at 15:30. I knew at the time that I would be finishing in the dark, so I stopped taking pictures, and walked an earnest pace. The sun was hot, and with the trees still bare, there was a lot of sweating going on. A couple times I stopped to consider a diversion for water. But when I looked down the grade that lead to it, I decided I would go a bit thirsty, and save the time. When I drank the last of the water, the map suggested there were about 5 miles of ridge line left, and maybe another 2 to the car. At 20:30 it had become dark enough to get out the headlamp. By that time, the sliver of a moon had become evident. The rest of the moon was dimly visible and set a striking image hovering above the after glow of sunset.    I didn't find walking in the dark a bit of trouble. The 4-LED Petzl Tikka has the right stuff. I was glad to get to running water, and fill up my quart bottles. (You could say I was a quart low.) I did get spooked where the trail crosses the stream near Little Crease Shelter. I heard a scurry of leaves, then saw a pair of eyes gleaming out of a head peering from around a tree. I figured it was a raccoon, but my less reasonable brain half was rifling through a mug book. I never did get a good look at it. I managed the trail-stream in the dark too. Really, no sweat. But, I was glad to have maneuvered the sheer mountain-side part of the trail before dark.   When I got home, I figured from the map, I hiked a stretch better than 20 miles. That is the magic number I need to sustain to get all the way to Springer in the vacation time I have this summer. And, though my feet do feel a bit bruised, and my legs feel a bit stiff, and my neck and hands are a bit scorched, I am none the worse for wear.