Date: 2013-10-08
From: Old Rag Fire Road Area

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

A cold front went thru last night around midnight. The wind blew hard for a while, then went dead calm, and it got cold. Woke up to clear skies, cold light west winds, and a fine day to be on the Trail. Got a late start from my campsite, leaving about 8:30. At my first crossing of Skyline Drive I looked both ways, listened for traffic, then ran across to the Creacent Rock Overlook. No cars around so I took a few quick photos of the wonderful clear views over the Shenandoah Valley to the west. A beautiful clear day for views into the distance. However, I quickly returned to the AT to get out of sight of the road and any patrolling Rangers that might happen to pass by.With such a beautiful day and a cold front having just passed I had to take the side trail to the top of Hawksbill Mt, the highest point in the Park and a great view to the North back up the ridge. While standing on the summit rocks a Sharp-shinned Hawk came blasting down the ridge from the north and went right over my head, all tucked up with a strong tail wind. It was a juvenile migrating south down the Blue Ridge. On a day like this following a strong cold front there would probably be many more southbound raptors passing overhead and I had the urge to stay and watch the flight that would certainly develop as the morning warmed up. Unfortunately I have miles that must be walked today instead of staying to watch the hawk flight. One last look back up the ridge for more migrants, and I too was southbound along with the hawks. However, it was a great way to start the day!The trail along the top of Franklin Cliffs was a narrow shelf with vertical rock on both sides of the trail. The hikers and animals all have to use the same trail. There must have been 8 piles of bear poop in the middle of the trail along here, quite the thorofare for all forms of wandering beings!While trying to slip past a large motorhome parked next to the trail at Big Meadows Campground I thought for sure I had been spotted, but no one came out as I passed by so I continued on down the trail. Based on entries in shelter registers some of the hikers ahead of me have been found by park rangers. All were given 48 hours and a warning to leave the Park, then allowed to go on their way. Hopefully my luck will hold for the next few days. I even managed to get in a quick call to Brenda from the trail when I had a few bars of service around Big Meadows. Two Solitary Vireos were singing at Lewis Spring, for some unknown reason. Strange to hear spring songs during fall migration. By noon it finally warmed up enough to change into shorts but with temps staying on the low 50s it never really got all that warm. Keeping walking was the best way to stay warm. I got to Bearfence Mt Shelter about 5 (It's getting dark about 6:30) and decided to stay because the spring here was running well and it would be another 3 miles to the next water. At the pace I was walking I would barely make it before dark. The next shelter is 12 miles away, which is way too far for me to do just yet. As I arrived at the shelter two Barred Owls began talking to each other. Probably a pair because one bird had a much deeper toned hoot than the other. I figured I would be hearing them on and off all night, but I never heard them again. My feet have not yet adjusted to the rigors of thru-hiking. It seems it always takes my body at least a week or more to adjust to the pack, walking all day, stepping on and around sharp rocks that lie hidden in the trail at all manners of odd angles, and the constant motion necessary to hike long distances every day, and do it every day for days on end. It seems the trick for me is not to try to go too far too fast too soon in the hike; to give myself time to adjust to trail life again. High temp 53, temp at dawn 39, west winds 5 to 10 in am, light in pm. Temps overnight will probably be in low 40s.