Date: 2018-10-22
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Glass Hollow Overlook
Miles today: 14.5

My thermometer read 35 degrees inside the tent. I started my little alcohol stove just outside the tent and under the rain fly. The fuel was HEET not denatured alcohol and it burned hot. The tent thermometer read 90 degrees after the first burn. But it quickly dropped until I fueled it up again. It only burns for five minutes or so. With the warmth I got dressed and packed up slowly. It was so quiet in the camp. Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. Plastic bags are loud when cold so I carefully and quietly packed up. I was on the trail just before 7 a.m. It wasn't long until I could shut the headlamp off. The trail was steep and rocky. But at the top of Calf Mountain the trail became well groomed. On top of Little Calf Mountain open fields allowed me to see the bright orange morning sun rising. The trail remain good for several miles. After McCormick Gap the trail became rough with short steep ups and downs. Going up one steep section as I was looking at the ground when something made me look up real fast. A seven point buck came onto the trail. He walked slowly in front of me then stepped off and watched me from just off the trail. Like most of the Shenandoah deer he had little fear of humans. I arrived at Rockfish Gap about 11:15, just under 8 miles. A short time later Clark pulled up. He pointed out inside the SUV were onion bagels Heidi sent along for me. After loading my gear we first went to Rockfish Gap Outfitters for fuel, AquaMira, and some energy bars. Then we went into Waynesboro to Healthy Habits to pick up some Turmeric Root Piperine that Clark suggested for my knee and leg. Afterwards I resupplied at Kroger. After we finished the shopping spree Clark treated at Weasie's for lunch. I had the meatloaf special. Now I've stopped at Weasie's for all my four thru hikes. We headed back up the mountain to the trail. We had a little trouble locating the trail after the bridge over US 250. We saw a double blaze on a post but nothing after that. After parking I repacked my gear while Clark looked around and we figured it was down along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I thanked Clark for his wonderful assistance helping me resupply today. I went down to the parkway and a man pulled in to day hike. He thru hiked in 1990 and said hello. I asked him where the trail went after the last double blaze and he said right over the guardrails. So, I went up and over. It was about 2:20. The trail was good all the way to Wolfe Shelter. The guy I saw earlier had passed me on the way, then on his way back told me where to camp. I told him I was going beyond the shelter and he suggested Glass Hollow Overlook. I thanked him and continued. At Wolfe Shelter I stopped for water. What a beautiful spot. A creek full of cascades a short distance down the hill in view from the shelter. While treating the water I ate one of the bagels. I felt a bit teary eyed in appreciation for all Clark and Heidi did for me. Heidi even sliced the bagels for me! The trail went up the mountain via multiple easy switchbacks. After two miles I came to the side trail to Glass Hollow Overlook. I went out the short blue blazed trail to the vista. A large campsite there and a gorgeous view eastward. It was 6:15. Temperature was in the 50's and only a slight breeze. What a great spot. I hope to capture the rising moon tonight and the sunrise in the morning.