Date: 2023-10-08
From: Stealth Site 607.9

To: Beech Mountain Road Campsite
Miles today: 118.9

Google Photos Photo AlbumDay 116Stealth 607.9 to Helveys Mill ShelterAT miles 13.9Miles hiked 14.5I woke to momma hen calling the flock back together. It was a cold morning so I tried to get going as quickly as I could. I found my bear line hanging g in a tree, packed up, fixed a quick breakfast and got moving. It was windy and kind of cold but sunny. After a bit of climbing I was getting warm so I stopped to shed some layersI came up on a couple of young guys out bow hunting. We exchanged greetings and I continued on. I stopped at Jenny Knob Shelter for lunch and soon enough the two hunters showed up. We talked about hunting and the area and they seemed pretty familiar with the trail all the way to Damsscus. One of the guys had such a thick, backwoods accent that the other guy was having to translate for him. They wandered off as I finished my lunch and I got back to hiking. Since I didn't have a headlamp any more I was going to have to stop early so I could do everything while there was still light. I got to Helveys Mill Shelter about 4. There was supposed to be water so I took the very long trail down to the creek to find just a trickle. On the way down I saw a Grouse that didn't spook so I watched it for a while before continuing to the water. On the way back up I saw 2 more grouse. One took off and the other just made grouse noises and walked in circles.When I got back up to the shelter there was a NOBO flip flopper, Wy East and his dog who was finishing his hike at Harper's Ferry. We ate dinner and talked about our hikes.I headed to my tent and called Robin and Raina before falling asleep.Day 117Helveys Mill Shelter to VA 615 Laurel Creek Campsite (VA 615)AT miles 9.4Miles hiked 13.4Last night was pretty cold so it was hard to crawl out of the sleeping quilt. Once up started some coffee and oatmeal while trying to pack up fast. My original plan was hiking about 20 to just before Burkes Garden Hostel so I could hike in the next day to pick up my food drop, take an easy day, then hike out the next day. However, the forecast had changed to slight morning rain and afternoon showers. Plan B was to shoot for Jenkins Shelter about 13 miles away to beat the rain.The trail passes Brushy Mountain Outpost just after crossing I-77 and I planned to stop there for a snack.  Fresh Ground was there eating breakfast and he said he was cooking potato soup and stir fry for lunch at VA 615, about 7 miles away. Perfect!Seven miles became 11 as I missed where the AT left a forest road. I hiked about 2 miles before realizing my mistake. After hiking back uphill about 30 minutes I bushwhacked over the mountain to the AT and continued down to 615. As promised, there was some hot and delicious potato soup, cocoa, and stir fry.  I hurried and set up my tent to beat the rain.  I barely made it as the rain started coming down just when I was finished setting up. I grabbed my rain jacket and puffy and went down to lunch. There were two hikers there doing a flip flop that I had met somewhere in Maine: Spreadsheet and Smoke. There were also two section hikers there I had passed the day before. Thanksgiving and Baby Steps. We enjoyed our lunch and were entertained by Fresh Ground's stories. His recounting of his Giaria experience has us all laughing hysterically. After we ate he put a movie on his laptop and put the propane burner in the center of us to help keep us warm..  Just as the movie finished Speedo, Crocstar and Teva arrived so Fresh Ground cooked up a lunch for them.  We pitched in and washed dishes for him and helped tidy up the area around his van before heading off to our tents and hammocks to get warm and go to sleep. Fresh Grounds was fixing breakfast at 6:00.Day 118Laurel Creek Campsite (VA 615) to Chestnut Knob ShelterAT miles 15.2Miles hiked 16.2My alarm went off at 5:30 and I had to fight off the sleep monster to keep from burrowing deeper into my quilt. My mind was made up when I heard the trumpet fanfare from the movie Rocky baring through the woods. Fresh Grounds was sending us a message. Pretty soon four tired hikers were walking down to the parking lot wiping sleep out of their eyes.This morning was a typical Fresh Grounds food festival of deep fried bacon, home fries, eggs, and the best pancakes I¢ve ever eaten. Entertainment was provided by Fresh Grounds as he narrated his meal prep interspersed with humorous hiking stories. Although we were so full we could hardly move he kept pushing food at us until we gave up and filled ziploc bags with leftovers. Then we helped him do the dishes and break down his set up.After breakfast we packed up then started hiking on this cold, rainy day by crossing Laurel Creek on a big footbridge. This was followed by a pretty steady climb out of the gap and the elevation profile looked like there would be lots of ups and downs today. The others were trying to get close to Atkins, VA so they could stay at the Alpaca Farm in a couple of days. I had a package to pick up at Burke¢s Garden Hostel and also was expecting to see Ranger Rick at any moment along the trail. I told the others to look out for him and to tell him I was close behind.The weather cleared up by afternoon and was actually pretty nice. I made it to the forest road to the hostel in late afternoon. When I arrived the hostel owner wasn¢t there but Baby Steps and Thanksgiving were so we sat around and talked while waiting for the owner. I got a text from Ranger Rick saying he was staying at the Chestnut Knob Shelter which was about two miles from where I was.  The owner¢s mom finally showed up and got my package. I repackaged my food and bought snacks from the hostel store. As I was finishing packing, Spreadsheet and Smoke showed up. We talked about slackpacking the next day and I thought I¢d hike back from the shelter and join them. They then drove me back as close to the trail as they could.The hike to the shelter was not fast in the dark so I knew by the time I reached the shelter that I was not going back the next day. The shelter is actually an old stone cottage. It was cold and very windy out and I was happy to be in the enclosed structure. Ranger Rick was already there and we had a great time catching up on the past couple of weeks since our summit day. I fixed a quick dinner then went outside to check out the night sky. It was so dark out that it made the stars so bright they almost hurt my eyes. I wish it hadn¢t been so cold. I would have enjoyed watching the sky for a lot longer.Back inside I got under my warm quilt and drifted off to sleep.Day 119Chestnut Knob to Relax Inn in AtkinsAT miles 24.1Miles hiked 24.1Ranger Rick and I woke early, fixed breakfast, packed then said our goodbyes wishing each other safe journeys the remainder of our hikes.The others planned to camp at the Alpaca farm in Atkins, VA tonight. I wasn¢t sure I¢d be able to hike that far. The hike started off through a field passing a pond that was fed by a spring. I stopped for water thinking that water would be scarce today.Along the way I hit the 3/4 mark on the trail. Just under 550 miles to go!The trail was really nice now and I was making good time. I didn¢t think I¢d make the Alpaca farm but I figured I¢d camp someplace outside Atkins then eat breakfast there the next day. As it was getting dark I wasn¢t seeing any good camping spots and I was about out of water. I decided to get to Atkins to see what was next. I crossed a good flowing stream but it was dark and the water was running through a housing area and some fields so I passed on it.Pretty soon I came to the highway interchange at Atkins. Far Out said there was a hotel close by so I went to the Relax Inn. Name was sketchy so I didn¢t expect much but the family running the hotel was very friendly and did a great job keeping up with the place. They directed me to a Mexican restaurant just up the road. When I got in the parking lot Speedo and company were just leaving the restaurant and also said the food was awesome.I ordered my food and carried it back to the hotel. While there Baby Steps texted me and said they were doing a slack pack the next day and offered to include me. After hiking 24 miles today I was in. They said they would stop by in the morning to pick up what I wasn¢t going to carry and meet me at a road intersection down the trail where I could get my stuff back and either camp there or hike further on.Day 120Relax Inn to Stealth SiteAT miles 15.5Miles hiked 15.5Got off to a later than planned start after doing laundry and eating breakfast. Today's hike was only about 16 miles and looked to be an easy hike. If all goes well I might be able to catch the shuttle bus from the Mt. Rogers ranger station to the outfitters in Marion for my much needed new shoes.I crossed U.S. 11 and got on the trail. Nice and gentle hiking through some fields led to the Virginia Settlers Museum. Usually, the museum is closed but a school group was visiting so everything was open. I met the husband and wife duo who were the overseer/caretakers. They were very welcoming and full of interesting info. I spent about an hour looking around and taking pics then found a trail out the back of the farm that connected to the AT. I hiked on to a shelter for lunch where I met two section hikers from Cincinnati who knew where my hometown of Greensburg was. In fact, they regularly met there for business meetings.After lunch the trail and plans for the day changed. Soon it was very rocky which really slowed me down. I got to a stealth site near a county road and saw that Spreadsheet, Smoke, Thanksgiving and Baby Steps were camped there. I decided to stop there for the night and was soon joined by Crocstar. Spreadsheet said they'd be happy to drive me into Marion for my shoes. Sweet! Better yet, Spreadsheet surprised us by grilling up some burgers. Smoke and Thanksgiving had made a campfire so we sat around the fire and talked for a while before going to bed.Day 121Stealth Site to Old Orchard ShelterAT miles 20.0Miles hiked 20.2We all slept in a bit since our morning departure was dictated by the 10 AM opening of the outfitters in Marion. Crocstar was not going into town so he started hiking when we loaded the cars and drove off.  The plan was for us to all pile into Thanksgiving¢s car and she would drop me at the outfitters, take them to get coffee then drop them at a trailhead, come back and get me and take me to where we camped the night before to start my hike. Then meet the others at some other trailhead.However, things worked out better than planned. I was in and out of the outfitters in less than 15 minutes. That may have been the fastest shoe buying experience of my life. As I was leaving the store the others drove by, stopped and picked me up, and we were back at the trail in no time.   Back on the trail my feet were overjoyed to be in new shoes. The trail was Pennsylvania rocky in places but my feet didn't mind. Because I had a late start, I knew I was going to be hiking at night. I was trying to make Old Orchard Shelter to shorten the hike to Grayson Highlands. Speedo¢s friend Bum Bum, who had thru hiked the trail a few years ago, was coming down to slack pack us a couple of days. Because they were ahead of me I¢d need to play a game of catch up if I was to slack pack the following day. If not, no worries.The trail grew progressively rockier as darkness approached. Of course. I got to the shelter area around 8:15 and right away found the bear boxes. That was good. But couldn¢t find the much larger shelter. Some section hikers gave me the layout of the area and I finally found the shelter. To my surprise, Crocstar was in the shelter. Knowing that a cold rain was on the way I chose to sleep in the shelter so I wouldn¢t have to deal with a wet tent in the morning. I fixed dinner and took all my food things to the bear box.  Sometime in the middle of the night I felt like my feet were hanging over the edge of the shelter. I scooted back up. In a little while, same thing. This time I turned on my headlamp to see that my sleeping pad was hanging halfway out of the shelter. In dragging everything back in and rearranging myself I noticed a large pile of acorns next to my rain jacket that definitely wasn¢t there when I went to sleep. Turning my headlamp from red to high beam exposed some mice running around like they owned the place. I got the broom started playing shelter hockey with the mice. I took a certain bit of satisfaction watching those suckers sail out into space.The wind started howling about 3 AM and was soon joined by driving rain. I can¢t remember if I slept much or not after doing battle with the mice but I was fixing breakfast by 6: 30. At least packing out was faster not having to deal with a wet tent.Day 122Old Orchard Shelter to Beech Mountain RdAT miles 21.2Miles hiked 21.2Today is a hike through another highlight of the trail: Grayson Highlands. The rain, wonder, and cold from the night before were still lingering when I started hiking so I was worried it might not be such a great experience. The Rocksylvania vibe from the end of yesterday's hike was still present so I started out slow. The trail tread and weather gradually improved through the morning so I removed layers until I was back in shorts and a t-shirt. Then, of course, the rain returned. So I put back on those layers. The landscape was really pretty with the fall colors and spruce trees.  Right before the Scales campground I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I thought I saw a white bear with horns. Upon closer inspection it turned out to be a longhorn steer. Wasn't expecting that. A few more steps up the trail a calf was blocking the trail. The calf didn't want to yield so I asked it to move. It stayed put. Apparently, it didn't understand English. So I mustered up my best mooooo-ve. No luck but another longhorn to my right bellowed out a pretty authoritative response. I froze in place. I was surrounded and outnumbered. Finally, Baby Bubba got off the trail and I cautiously went through the gate into the Scales and crossed through the campground into the field on the other side. Hiking up through the field I saw a herd of cows off on the right side of the trail and shortly before exiting that field was a herd of horses and ponies. By the time I reached Grayson Highlands the rain stopped and it was sunny. Yay! There was a sign about the ponies and a warning that they may kick or bite. But where were the famous ponies? Lots of horse poop but no poop producers.  Finally, across a meadow I saw a lone pony munching on some of the weeds growing in the meadow. I eased through the meadow to get a picture and two Instagram Wannabe Stars started posing for pics with the pony. Too bad he didn't kick or bite them. That would have been a good picture.I finally got some pics then got back on the trail. Just before exiting Grayson there was a herd of ponies and a bigger herd of tourists. More pics then moving into the next pasture. Once again more ponies, tourists, and pics.The hike continued over Mt. Rogers, the highest mountain in Virginia then on to Whitetop Mountain, the second tallest mountain in Virginia. Nice hiking and nice views but the wind was picking up and the clouds were returning. The Temps dropped and it started pouring rain. I stopped for another wardrobe modification then pressed on. Going over Beech Mountain brought flashbacks of my Tropical Storm Lee experience as the wind was blowing me all over the trail.I finally made it back into the woods and relative relief from the weather. After a bit more descent the wind let up and the rain became a mist. Just before the parking lot I passed Teva. Speedo, Crocstar, and Bum Bum were waiting for us in the parking lot. Bum Bum surprised us with cookies in the shape of hiking boots with each of our trail names on them.  We crammed all our gear and ourselves into his car and headed to Damascus for dinner, showers, and sleep.