Date: 2012-06-08
From: Rocky Mountain Shelters (2)

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park - Iron Masters Mansi
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 75 - Friday, June 8thHiking Days 45 / Nero Days 11 /  Zero Days 4 / Off Trail Days 15Start Location: Rocky Mountain Shelters Mile Marker: 1073.1Ending Location: Pine Grove Furnace State Park - Iron Masters Mansion HostelMile Marker: 1095.7Time: 9h 54minMiles: 22.6Weather: cooler morning.  Warmer and sunny all afternoon.  Low of 58 last night. High of 80 during the day.  The night was just cool enough to eventually get the bugs away.  Diesel ended up with several mosquito bites on his face and head.  I did not get ready for bed until later and put some repellant on my forehead and neck and ended up ok for the night.  The two hikers who came in later were still asleep.  Galileo was up early, 5:30 or so.  She was quiet, made her breakfast and headed out by about 6:20.  I wasn't too far behind her at 6:45. Before I left I was able to talk to one if the late arrivers about pack weight.  He was down to a low base weight under ten pounds.  He saw the light.  Listening to him talk was like taking a paragraph right out of my book.  It was good to see.  Diesel wasnt sure of his plans yet but he wasn't sur if he wanted to push the 20 to Pine Grove Furnace (PGF) where he would finish his hike.  With the easy terrain ahead for the day, there is no way that he won't finish today.  As far as Five Pair and Triple T, there was no movement from their tent.  Too bad since I wanted to say goodbye to Trip T.  Before I left , Nate, one of the late hikers indicated that his parents were ahead with trail magic and that they would slack anyone going to PGF.  My pack is now only at about 6-7 pounds so for me every step is like slacking.  Off I went. It wasn't long until I caught up with Galileo.  Her goal was to do her biggest day ever and make PGF.  With such an early start she will make it.  The days hiking was very enjoyable.  The miles went by quickly.  I came across Nate's parents.  Nice trail magic.  They brought all the right stuff and enough for an army.  Drank two Gatorades, ate a banana and a peanut butter cup.  Talked for a bit.  Nate was going to go home for a week.  I talked to them as the older hiker, gave them my stick about how proud they should be of their son for doing this and what an accomplishment it will be for him when he completes it.  I really believe this and again, being the older hiker, and a father, I could relate with some of the hesitations parents may have regarding the trail.  Well, I hope I earned my trail magic.  At the Tom's something shelter about three miles before PGF, I met up with a class of 2011 AT hiker.  Nice guy.  Offered me the opportunity to flame up.  I passed.  Talked for some time. It was good conversation.  Hiked up to the next road where his car was.  We hit last years half way point and he took my picture.  One of the very few pictures I have of me actually in it.  Arrived at PGF about 4:00.  Sat on the large porch of the Old Iron Masters Mansion Hostel until they opened.  This was shut down when I came through in 2010 and screwed up a mail drop at that time.  They have put in substantial improvements and it looks great.  It was well worth the $20 they charge for a stay.  $25 if you want a simple dinner and breakfast.  Even with a small dinner included, I still went to the camp store/grille and had a cheese burger, fries and a pint of ice cream.  Four other hikers were there.  Did the half gallon challenge but now that the size is only 1.5 quarts, I don't think it counts.  The avid hikers do the 1.5 quart plus purchase an additional pint.  A half gallon is a half gallon. Galileo did eventually make it as I knew she would.  She was so excited about her hike that she could stop beaming ear-to-ear.  At 22.6 miles it was her biggest day ever.  Good for her.  She should be happy and proud of it. I ate my lasagna as my meal at the hostel.  Not bad.  Nuked it, some pretzels, a drink.  Sat on the large porch and updated my journals.  The large covered porch would be great to sit under during a rain storm.  As it turned out,  Galileo and I were the only two here.  With the AT museum here, there was some event that was about this years entries who were entering the hikers hall of fame.  As far as I could tell, all the inductees are dead.  The hikers were offered free camping at the parks campground so most hikers took advantage of that nice offer.  For me, a stay at the mansion was a to-do experience for me.  And one I was very happy I did.  I went to bed by 8:45.  Two other hikers came in around 10:00.  An older guy and a girl.  I could not tell but I was wondering if it was Gumpee and Peeper.  In any case, four hikers here was like a drop in the bucket to its capacity.  Galileo was upstairs somewhere.  The room I was in could sleep about 16-20.  This place also had many other rooms including a large dining room.  There was also a private caretakers suite.  This place was huge. It also had a series of old photographs from the mid 1800's when this area was a working iron mine.  It also had an iron furnace that smelted the ore on site.  The current lake/swimming area is the old mine filled with water.  The hostel was where the iron Master resided.  Lots of great history.  Glad I stayed.