Date: 2004-05-25
From: Calf Mtn. Shelter

To: Dundo Group Campground
Miles today: 15.3

The initial plan was to get up around 6am and break camp early so as to make up for yesterdays low miles. It turns out that no one, except Ashtray, Theo and Footslogger, was in any hurry and we did not get up until 8am. By 10am, we were back on the trail. The temperature would never reach the highs of the day before, but it was still very warm. I am having a little difficulty with the heat as my body does not cope very well...I get overheated fairly easily. The challenge today turned out to be good old H2O. Once having left Calf Mtn. Shelter, it would be 13mi to the next water source at Blackrock Hut. I drank sparingly throughout the day, but still ran dry over 3mi short. While at the same time sweating a gallon a minute. Dehydration sucks!That aside it turned out to be a quite exciting day. Along the way to Blackrock hut, we ran into some wildlife: including turkey, deer and about .7mi short of the Hut I spotted my first bear of the trip. I was just ahead of Pat when I noticed 30 yards ahead a large black object in the middle of the trail. There was no questioning what it was, so I went straight for the camera. It was a large, adult bear. I was lucky to get three pictures before it left the trail.I waited until Pat caught up and motioned for him to hurry ahead. I explained that I spotted a bear just ahead and was hopeful it was not yet far off the trail. We crept up and there it was, just 15 or so yards to the right. It gave us a minute to check him/her out and then headed further into the forest. Very exciting stuff.Finally we made it to Blackrock Hut and Pat was kind enough to get water. Dragonslayer, Tinder, Ashtray, Camel, Theo and a group of 5 or so hikers on a school project to hike the length of the SNP were there. Pat soon returned from the spring with the much needed water and then headed to hang the water bag on the far side of the Hut. Just as he was rounding the side, a huge black rattlesnake, curled into a ball and began rattling it's tail. Pat could not have been any further than a foot and a half away. Everyone was surprised to see it as some had been there for a couple of hours and had not idea this impressively large venomous snake was only a few feet away. Dragonslayer commented the she must have walked right passed it a number of times. Additional hikers would make it to the Hut as we rehydrated. All had stories of running low or out of water today and many had seen the bear. Before we would leave, another rattlesnake would be spotted just outside the Hut. I'm thankful we were not planning to stay there that night. I would have been scared to leave the Hut for necessary business during the evening.At 5:30pm, we left the Hut with thunder in the distance. Before we would make it to Dundo Group Campground, it rained buckets. Pat and I did manage our pack covers on, but we got soaked. The rain was COLD.The campground requires reservations and is for large groups only(Boyscouts, etc.) We would not be able to stay there. It was still a number of miles to Loft Mtn. Campground and we decided to find a spot to set tent in the area. We had passed a service road just shy of the Dundo Group Campground and decided to scope it out. Hikers are not allowed to camp in this area(pretty certain), but we are cold, wet, tired and hungry...so, we headed down the road. Out of site from the trail, we set tents, put on some dry clothes, cooked dinner and prepared for bed. All the while, being stalked by deer. Hoping for a bear free night tonight. Our suspicion is the old service road is quite heavily traveled by both deer and bear(evidence of both). Hopefully, this entry will provide you with the details of our last day if the bear come hungry. Just kiddin'...I hope.