Date: 2008-09-29
From: GRAVEL SPRINGS HUT

To: THORNTON GAP (Panorama), VA
Miles today: 14.3

Mon.Sept 29 (Day#4)6:30am Nobody showed up last here @ Gravel Springs Hut (shelter)...So, I was all alone. "DAKS" went home after having a most "HARROWING" day. (see previous entry)Ate my last Pop-Tarts (by now just Pop-tart crumbs) & drank a double strong cup of "COWBOY COFFEE" (Folgers finest!)& Out of the shelter by 8amshouldbe hiking into THORNTON GAP abt 4 or 5pm this afternoon...if everything goes as planned....let's HIKE!"D-bird" is slated to pick me up @ the now defunct PANORAMA (@ Thornton Gap).It's gonna be a SUNNY DAY!...yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!Right outta the hut its a climb (of course!)UP Little Hogback Mtn....probably wont see many hikers today...being that its a Monday.Get to the Little Hogback overlook...this is the first views I've seen all trip. Due to the Rain, mist, & fog socking the overlooks in.Down the MTN.... cross SKYLINE DRIVE (which i'll do several times today) then the climb of the day....the 3 peaks of HOGACK MTN. (3,475 ft. elevation)...then back down & cross SKYLINE DRIVE again...AND UP to RATTLESNAKE POINT Overlook...then back down..I met a NOBO day hiker just before ElkWallow Gap...he had a backpack as BIG as a HOUSE...(a BIG house!)...looked like he just stepped out of an REI Catalog!He tells me he is "prepping" for an ENd to END SNP hike...& then he suggested a Cheeseburger from the wayside just a mile or so down the trail...I said "SOUNDS GOOD" (big mistake..i find out later!)...i quicken my pace...Stop by the ELKWALLOW GAP WAYSIDE...throw my pack off...lots of CYCLISTS have stopped here for a break too...I order a CHEESEBURGER, fries & a CHOCOLATE milk shake...YUUUUUUUUUUMMMMY!after eating....just as a precaution (after eating freeze dried food & pure sugar bars for Energy the past 4 days...) i grab some ROLAIDS...on my way out...I HIKE ON....the CYCLISTS are riding the length of SKYLINE DRIVE....NIIIIIICE!I stop by a small spring & scoop up some water...then hike on....I'm getting tired....but my pace continues to be good...I was gonna stop @ BYRDS NEST #4 Shelter for a short rest...but its 6/10 mile OFF the trail...i dont need the extra 1.2 miles to hike...(tired ENUFF!)I HIKE on!thru BEAHMS GAP over Skyline Drive...then the last climb of the day: PASS MTN.I get to the peak & call "D-Bird"...she & the girls are in Winchester today doing some "ANTIQUING"...I tell her i'm "ON SCHEDULE" & should arrive @ PANORAMA/THORNTON GAP @ 5pm...I pick up the pace as i head down from PASS Mtn...zipping by the Pass Mtn Hut...Then cross over HWY 211 (which goes into LURAY,VA)....cross over SKYLINE DRIVE one last time heading SOBO...before reaching THORNTON GAP!They have the path from the A.T. up to PANORAMA gated now....but, I managed to get around it & avoid all the construction equipment in the old parking lot.I walk thru the lot...The PANORAMA Bldg has now been torn down.I try to call "D-bird" from here...NO SERVICE!....DARN!!!I try several times...NOTHING!I wait...And then I hear yelling:..."JAY!"..."JAY!"...IT's "D-bird" & the lower parking lot entrance (which has been closed & gate locked)...i walk down to the girls...& then ride back UP to Panorama for my hiking gear....then we head back to HARRISONBURG, VA to the MASSANUTTEN RESORT.Where the "GIRLS" ("D-bird" Joyce & Patti) have been staying & using as their BASE while I've been hiking!My stomach is KILLING ME!I've eaten ROLAIDS all afternoon. I think I have a touch of FOOD POISONING from the wayside CHEESEBURGER.Not a good way to end the hike...but, never-the-less...the ending.TOmorrow: REST...the following day: 10 hours driving back home!Been a good hike!Starting from HARPERS FERRY, WV heading NOBO next SPRING!                           14.3 miles today!See Ya'll UP the trail!