Date: 2014-05-09
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Left 4 Pines Hostell around 7 and headed the .3 miles down the road to the trail head. The first 7 miles of trail were easy going and since water was going to be scarce on top we got some water at a spring at mm 706 and camelled up by drinking a liter before heading out. The path was very heavily used by many people and therefore well maintained as Mc Afee Knob is a very popular destination for many in the area. This was especially nice given that we had a 2000 foot climb over 2 miles. When we got to Mc Afee Knob it was breath taking to say the least and was everything it was made up to be. We took the usual pics, but the best one was of me sitting over the edge of the ledge. Gray Ghost and I then had lunch and Head Banger, Thirsty and Eyore showed up also. After a half hour or so we headed out for Tinker Cliffs. What was neat was when we we on Mc Afee we could see the ridgeline that we were going to follow to get to Tinker Cliffs. What a haul it was getting up to it though. Every time we climbed a hill we thought we should be there. This went on what seemed like forever, but was only about 3 hours. During that time we passed old meadows and even spotted what appeared to be a 1930's horse drawn sythe (sp?)the last hill was a final shot up about 750 feet and we finally cleared it to the top. During our climb to the top we passed Scrambles and Owl who were resting on a ledge overlooking the reservoir for Dalesville. When we got to the top Lorax and Wikipedia were taking a break. We didn't daly for long as the clouds looked like they could open up any minute so we pushed on and made it to Lambert by 340 which was great time given the distance, the ruggedness of the climbe and the heat. We were quickly followed by several others and within 45 minutes it began to rain but let up after a half hour or so. A number of the people there decided to move on to the tent sites and one group decided to hike the 9.7 miles into town despite the lateness of the day and the threat of rain. Oh to be young again - not! It appears that we have caught up with a number of people and a significant bubble has been created. Hopefully it sorts itself out as the younger kids move faster or stay in town longer. We'll see. I do hope I don't meet up with the ones who think every other word has to be m.f. this for s**t that. It can become real annoying. While normally I would keep quiet and let it go, I feel myself compelled to say something and probably will the next time it happens in spite of the cliche, "HYOH -Hike Your Own Hike". Guess I'm getting old and crotchety.? One last thing. We did have an unexpected visitor just before dark. Gray Ghost was getting up out of the shelter when he spotted a snake in the shelter slithering across the floor. When someone asked what kind it was he said he thought it was a copperhead. You should have seen people move! I quickly got a pic of it and before I could pick it up it had gone back through a crack in the floor and underneath the shelter. There were a number of people that slept with one eye open the rest of the night, but I wasn't one of them. Bucket List and Munchie came in late. Bucket list set up his tent and we made room for Munchie in the Shelter along with Head Banger, Hopper, Bismark and Gray Ghost. Tomorrow its off to Dalesville for food, comfortable room with a shower and laundry. Oh Yeah!!!!