Date: 2016-09-02
To: A Couple of Practice Hikes
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Back on August 14th and 15th and again on the 24th, 25th and 26th, I was able to get on the trail to test my back and feet and legs. All passed with flying colors as I hiked the 20 miles from Caledonia to Pine Grove Furnace twice. Once alone in two days and the next with a nice group of friends in three days. Lisa (LoGear) was with me on the second trip as we test our gear, stretch our legs and enjoy everyone's company.Here are my entries from FaceBook on my Special Hike Page named "Adventures of EarthTone and LoGear". Yes I use a Shire Calendar. It's what I do.Did a practice hike to scout next week's hike, test the back, check the water sources and to get a trail fix. Check, check and check.1. Date: Wedmath 23rd2. Day: Hevensday3. Morning temp: 85+ at 1400 when started4. Weather: Hot sunny. Rain in evening5. Time start: 14006. Time stop and miles: 1853, 10 miles7. End point: Birch Run shelter8. Events: deer, PamLog:Larry dropped me off in Caledonia parking lot. Headed up the hill. Was tough, but felt good. Met Jim at Quarry Gap. More uphill after that, then pretty level up on the flat. Dropped down to Milesburn cabin and got more water. Met Pam who was in Museum a couple weeks ago and I had given her some directions. Talked a bit then headed back up to the flat. Nice easy hike to Birch Run. Was checking out a potential camp site and it got real dark as a storm blew over the flat. It was surreal. It only lasted 10 minutes and no rain fell. Saw 5 deer including a doe and two youngins. One bleated to its mom before darting across the trail. One sobo hiker here at shelter. Ate dinner at table while it sprinkled. Will head over to the tarp soon. A good day. Back feels good, but I'm still soaking wet from sweat.Flora: huckleberriesFauna: 5 deerHigh: bleat of fawn asking mother what to do.Hope: a dry night in the tarp and cool morning.Sound: bleat of fawnSmell: sulfur smell of Birch Run waterView of the Day (VOD): powerline view1. Date: Wedmath 24th2. Day: Seasday3. Morning temp: 704. Weather: Nice5. Time start: 07016. Time stop and miles: 1140 9.8 miles7. End point: PGFSP8. Events: SOBOs, feet soakLog: Up before 6. Made coffee and talked a bit. On the trail at 7. Nice easy hike to the end. Stopped at Toms Run to snack and get water. Soaked feet in creek at last bridge. Went straight to store and got ice cream and bacon cheeseburger.Flora: mushroomsFauna: rabbit, butterflyHigh: feet soakHope: tomorrow goes wellSound: whiporwill in am. CicadasSmell: perfumy, flowery smellVOD: mushroomSecond Hike:We finally got out there for a quick three day hike from Caledonia to Pine Grove Furnace. Four of us started, then we were joined by a fifth, then a sixth, with two visitors bringing magic. It was great getting all the good advice from the veterans and working with our gear to continuously see what works and what doesn'tHere are my logs from the three day, 19.8 mile hile.1. Date: Halimath 3rd2. Day: Starsday (1)3. Morning temp: 77 @ 12304. Weather: Sunny, warm, nice5. Time start: 12306. Time stop and miles: 1728, 10 miles7. End point: Birch Run Shelter8. Events: Jen fallLog: Arrived just before Noon and Howard shuttled us down to Caledonia. On the trail at 1230. Stopped at Quarry Gap to eat lunch. Stopped to eat huckleberries at power line. Rested and got water at Milesburn Cabin. Arrived at shelter to find Howard. He brought beers. Nan walked in from Ship Rd. Had dinner and nice talk. Both Lisa and I had headaches. Hers wouldn't go away. Headed to hammock about 2045.Flora: Rhododendron tunnelFauna: black speckled salamander. Sound: pleated wpSmell: sobo hikerView of the Day (Vod): almost one to west before Milesburn.High: BeersHope: A good hike tomorrow1. Date: Halimath 4th2. Day: Sunsday (2)3. Morning temp: 704. Weather: Sunny, warm, nice5. Time start: 09056. Time stop and miles: 1212, 6.2 miles7. End point: Toms Run Shelter8. Events: tired hill climbersLog: Took our time getting started today. Made a fire to burn trash. Headed up the hill, said bye to Howard at Ship Rd. Hike went quick today. Saw a couple hikers going south. Two girls who looked like an REI ad and two guys with one looking like he was about to die and he had a lot of hill still to climb.Flora: roses at a memorial site Fauna: ant train near shelter about 50 feet long. Sound: whipowill Smell: ben gay smell near forest mowerVod: toms run creekHigh: Michele's visit and more beersHope: good night's sleep1. Date: Halimath 5th2. Day: Moonsday (3)3. Morning temp: 70s4. Weather: clear, warm5. Time start: 08426. Time stop and miles: 1010, 3.67. End point: Pine Grove Furnace8. Events: RattlesnakeLog: Up at 0545 or so. Tinkered about as the dawn arrived. Packed up and hit the trail. Took blue blaze sunset trail then dynamite shed trail. I walked past a rattler and Lisa saw it. Got pics and video. Got back to park quickly and had a nice lunch. I very nice hike.Flora: Fern waiving in it's own personal breeze. Gourd growing by the road.Fauna: Rattlesnake! Goldenrod spiderSound: The snake's rattle blending in with the cicadasSmell: skunkVod: A coiled rattler, shaking his tail. High: Rattlesnake!Hope: To get out there again soon.Peace,EarthTone and LoGear