Date: 2010-06-04
From: Dutch Haus B&B

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I awoke in the morning to the smell of breakfast cooking. Out on the trail I am so thankful for the luxury of a home cooked meal. The group at the hostel enjoyed a nice breakfast (pancakes, quiche, sausage and fruit) before we headed out on the trail. Louis one of the owners of the B&B drove us back to the parking lot that is 1.1 miles down a fairly steep descent from the trail. Unfortunately the B&B is no longer allowed to drive hikers all the way back to the trail as it's a private road. Personally I was dreading the one mile climb up the forest road but luckily as we were getting out of the truck another truck stopped and asked us if we wanted our packs taken up to the trail head. Amazing trail magic again. It turns out a crew was working on the trail today and he had a key to the gate so he could drive up to the trail head. We still had to walk the 1.1 miles up to the trail but without a packs on it was a pretty easy stroll. What a great way to start the day. The hike today started with a .5 mile climb up to Spy Rock where I dropped my pack and took the side trail to the rock climb. It took me two tries to find the correct path to the top of the rock but once I found the top the view was worth the effort. After Spy Rock I continued on to the Priest Shelter where I met up with Cody and Red Stick. I spent a bit of time at the Priest Shelter reading the register which was hilarious as most hikers write a confession. Leaving the Priest Shelter is a nasty steep 4 mile descent down to the Tye River and several times during the descent I thought to myself that I was glad I didn't have to climb the mountain. My knees were a little sore by the time I finished the descent and I decided to take a nice long lunch break near the river before I started the 3000 foot climb up Three Ridges Mountain. The first 1000 feet of the climb to Harpers Creek Shelter was enjoyable as there were lots of squirrels to entertain me. Some of the squirrels quickly darted away as I approached, while others lept through the air onto trees and one brave squirrel didn't move off the trail as I approached, instead it squawked at me as if claiming it was his trail and I should go around him. I made a quick stop at the shelter for water before I continued up the mountain. I climbed the final 2000 feet of the Three Ridges mountain and was glad to reach the top. Thankfully there were a few nice views on the climb so it didn't feel like I was climbing for no reward. I still had 3 miles to hike before I reached the shelter and thankfully most of the miles were downhill and fairly easy. On the way to Maupin Shelter I passed Web Walker and Just Blue Skies who were on their way to the next road to meet up with some family members. I am at the shelter tonight with Avatar and Cody. I am trying to decided tonight if I want to hike the 21 miles into Wayensboro tomorrow or only hike 15 miles and go into town the next day. I guess I will see what tomorrow brings.P.S I just got some awesome news from home. My boyfriend will be joining me for my last month on the trail. I can't wait to see him.