Date: 2015-05-30
From: Reservoir Road 

To: Harpers Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 34.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 65:We left our campsite around 8:30. It was sunny and warm. We had 4 or so miles fairly easy till we hit the first Shelter. We went in the Stream at the shelter and got water. Then we went up, & up for 5 miles. We crossed a road about halfway up and there we got a drink, cheese stick and a bar from a couple doing trail Magic. We got to the top and had lunch. There were some very nice scenic overlooks but it was so hazy you could not see far. Went down for a few miles and we could see the dark clouds forming. We got water at Hogs Camp Gap and headed for some campsites a couple of miles away. Hooti saw a Bear running away on the hillside in front of him. We started it started to sprinkle then rain. We had a ridge to go over then down a mile to the sites. Just as we were getting to the top it got nasty. Thunder lightning and wind. We hunkered down for 45 minutes our so till the Lightning passed by. Sounded like shotgun blasts all around us. The rain continued so we decided to get to get to the sites and set up. When we got there water was running all over and the sites were mud we went on to Seeley - Woodworth shelter another couple of miles away and made it around 8:15 we set up, got out out of wet clothes and had a bite to eat then to bed. Little over 20 tough miles. ~Robi1Another tough day today. We had a 5 mile climb that went up about 3200 feet then down 500 feet and then right back up 600 feet. We got caught in a bad thunder storm on a ridge and had to take cover under a rock outcropping for about an hour maybe more. We got to camp late soaking wet and exhausted so instead of cooking dinner I just ate three protein bars and went to sleep. We did a total of 20.3 miles today. -HootiDay 66: We left Seeley Woodworth Shelter at 11am after drying out stuff from the rough ending to yesterday. We have been hiking around 4,000 ft the last couple of days going up and down within a 1,000 ft. Today just after The Priest Shelter we went up to around 4,300 then in 4 miles went back down to 1,000 ft. A real knee killer! At the bottom VA RT 56 there was trail magic. Cold sodas and all kinds of snacks. We took a break there before we went back up 1,000 ft to our ending point for the day. Today there were some great views sunny around 90 degrees. Drank lots of water. We hiked 14.9 miles camping just before Harpers Creek Shelter. The bugs are starting to get annoying depending on where we are. I pulled a (small tick) of me last night and one was on my tent screening (outside) this morning. Sound we here at night (before earplugs) are Owls, Whipper wills, the rumble of freight train rolling through the valley and Snoring. ~ Robi1Today was a good day. The trail wasn't to difficult if you don't get lost. We went up a half mile steep hill to Spy rock and then couldn't find any white blazes. A local hiker told us that the trail was back down the hill we came up. When we got to the bottom again we took out Robi1s map and figured out we needed to go back up the hill and take a left. Not a good 1/2 hr. Then the trail went downhill for 4.8 miles which is great on the knees. We came across trail magic at the bottom which helped the feet mentally. Then a 1200 ft climb and a fairly short downhill to the shelter. Lots of people here. Mostly locals so it will probably be loud late. Forgot to mention that I saw my first bear yesterday. It was just a quick glance but definitely a bear.-Hooti