Date: 2016-02-19
From: Bridge over Stony Creek, VA 635

To: Stony Creek Valley parking area, VA 635
Miles today: 2.1

We once again drove up to Rocky Gap. The snow on the AT was still too deep and too icy. We also tried to get to the trail crossing on VA 613, where we got Maggie stuck a few days ago. The snow was still too deep.Rod suggested hiking a short section of the AT that is in a gap and parallels VA 613. The road was plowed, so we were easily able to reach the trailhead.I headed out into the snow, which was not as deep as at the higher elevations. It was a sunny day and the snow was (finally) starting to melt. It felt great to be back on the AT.I was wearing micro spikes and carrying the extra emergency gear in my day pack, just in case.In spots the surface of the snow sparkled in the sunlight like diamond dust. And there were animal tracks - lots of fresh animal tracks to examine as I hiked. The poor animals were probably out searching for food after being hunkered down due to the weather. I especially liked the bobcat tracks.The snow was heavy and wet. There were also several blow downs across the trail. Some looked new, and some clearly had been there a while. At times it was like a puzzle to try to navigate over, under, or around the thick snow covered tree trunks blocking the trail. My pace was very slow, but I still enjoyed every minute of being back on the AT.When I was about 1/2 mile from the next trailhead/road crossing I saw fresh large boot tracks in the snow. Someone, likely a man given the size, hiked in and turned around. A little further, at a stream crossing, I started to see multiple boot tracks, all from what appeared to be the same boot. When I got to the turn off to go to the road crossing/trailhead parking area, I saw even more boot tracks, all from the same boot.Then,I saw the note, written in the snow with a stick. All it said was "WINSTON" and an arrow pointing to the turn off. My husband had hiked in from the parking area and left the note in the snow to make sure I did not miss the turn off. (The note made me want to cry, but there is no crying on the AT.)After leaving the note, he returned to the car. I was taking longer than he expected and Rod was worried, so he hiked to the creek, then returned to the car. He was still worried, so he hiked 1/2 mile in, before again returning to the car. This explained the growing number of boot tracks in the snow the closer I got to the parking area.Curiously, when I reached the parking area all I found was a note letting me know he drove back to where he dropped me off. I was taking so long he was afraid I went the wrong way on the trail. He wanted to check my tracks in the snow to make sure I was headed in the correct direction. WOW! He REALLY was worried! I had no cell coverage, so I could not tell him the snow and blow downs were holding me up. He was obviously very worried about me. All the while I was just fine and having a wonderful time enjoying my hike.He returned to the parking area and we headed back to the hotel. Even a few miles on the AT, with heavy wet snow and multiple blow downs, are better than none at all.The AT is calling. Today I managed a few miles - a taste. But it is time to get back on the AT and make real miles!