Date: 2014-05-26
From: Route 501 to Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Eagles Nest to Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

For the first time on this entire hike, I started making moves before 6 AM. At about 5:45 as the sun began to shine in such a way that could not be ignored, I twisted open the valve of my sleeping pad to let out the air, leaving me no choice but to commit to getting up. I packed up my sleeping gear and tent, made breakfast, filled up on water, answered nature's call, and hit the trail right at 7 o'clock. With plenty of daylight to hike, I figured I'd do my best to get as far as I could. About four or so miles in, I did come across quite a surprise. Not a half hour after a brief phone call to Mama during which we talked about being cautious of snakes, I came around a bend in the trail and screamed aloud as I was extremely startled by the loud warning of a timber rattler! Well, I understand now why the two guys from yesterday stood still in their tracks just staring at the snake as this is exactly what I did. After backing up enough to lessen ol' snake's worries of my presence therefore stemming the rattling, I tried to figure out the best way to get around the reptile. But with thick brush on either side of the trail and Mr. Rattler only inches from the trail, coiled and ready to strike, I had no choice but to get closer than he and I were both comfortable with as I pressed myself up against the shrubs on the opposite side of the two foot wide trail and quickly but carefully skirted the snake as he held his tail high, shaking it with all his might. Once I was on the northern end of this section of trail, I felt much better as I could carry on about my business just as he could now do the same. Well, that certainly made the morning a bit more exciting than it would have been otherwise. Aside from a very small number of section and day hikers, not many folks seemed to want to stop and chat so instead I spent the miles enjoying my time alone, even though I seemed to pass people every half hour or so. I was tempted to stop in Port Clinton for a bite to eat, but rather than spend the money at a restaurant, I settled for a nice shady spot under the 61 bridge and did what I could to help lighten my food bag. It was the perfect time to air out my feet and rest my legs before walking the remaining 14.5 miles to my goal for the day. As I climbed out of Port Clinton, I was keenly aware of yet another danger- that being the poison ivy that, within a week or two, will just about cover the rocks on that section of trail. A few miles later, as the ivy's prevalence began to dissipate, I started feeling a sharp, bruise-like pain on the outside of my right ankle. At first, I blamed the new pair of shoes I'd just gotten, but as they are exactly the same as my old shoes, that just didn't make sense. I stopped again and tried rubbing my ankle which did not seem to help but rather aggravate it. For a moment there, I thought I might cry, not so much from the pain, but rather from the thought of having a real issue that might take me off the trail for a time. Well, I say down again once I reached a friendly rock and googled my symptoms. Of course I'm no doctor, but all signs pointed to a pulled tendon or something like that often triggered by rolling one's ankle. There yah go. I've rolled my ankle at least once a day since Duncannon so I'm not too shocked that it's caught up with me. I spent the rest of the day being careful of my foot placement, trying to keep my foot in line, heel to toe. Aside from the occasional twinge, this helped and I was able to keep going without too much trouble. I'm just thankful that it is feeling better now as I elevate my feet in my tent than it was at 2 this afternoon. The views from Pulpit and Pinnacle Rocks were fantastic. The weather was absolutely perfect, and I was able to see for several uninterrupted miles. As I reached Pulpit Rock, a man who works at the observatory not far from the sight pointed out several spots along the mountain ridgeline that I'd be covering in the coming days. It was nice to know what I was looking at for a change. As I neared Pinnacle Rock, I stopped and checked my book to see that I still had 5.5 more miles til the shelter. Initially, I kept on walking, but then I realized that it would be foolish to pass up such a great view on a pretty day. In thinking about all the thru hikers who have perhaps missed out on this view due to foul weather, I felt I owed it to them to make the most of my being so near to the vista. I'm glad I turned around. Even though there were several day hikers already covering the rocks, I found myself a nice spot to sit, take off my socks and shoes, and cook supper. Supper always tastes better with a view! And after a half hour or longer break, I was still able to haul tail to the shelter well before dark. I do enjoy the freedom that comes with having longer days. As I turned at the road and headed to the shelter, which is really more of a bunkhouse with a caretaker living in a house right beside it, I was happy to be done with my day. After I set up my tent, the caretaker offered me a cold Sierra Mist, which I quickly downed before hopping in a cool but delightful solar shower. It felt wonderful just to be able to rinse the salt off of my skin. As I lay here now, feeling clean, well fed, and tired, I know I'm in for a great night of rest.