Date: 2006-01-20
To: Prep Hike # 9
Miles today: 0.0

01-20-06 Friday PA Route 443 to Rausch Gap Shelter 4.6 miles.   Up and ready to go at 10:00 AM. DeJaVue had a few things to take care of before we left, like paying some bills. We got on the road just before 11:00 AM. We wanted to get on the trail before 2:00 PM and had about a 3 hour drive to the trail.   We got to the parking area off PA Route 443 just before 2:00 PM and I pointed out that the sign said "Parking Only Dawn till Dust". We had seen cars here the last time we were here, and they appeared to of been there overnight, so we chanced it.    We starting to hike South bound on the trail, it lead us towards Trout Run (Stream) and under the bridge to the other side of Rt. 443. The trail then crossed Trout Run. The water level was up, and under the water we could see concrete blocks, that at a lower water level may be used to cross here. With the bridge being right there, DeJaVue went up and over it, and found that there was another stream in his path. He found some downed branches and tried to cross on that. He took one step, and was reaching out to take a second step when the branches under him gave way. He went in up to his knees, and quickly got to the other side.   Once we got across there was a nice bridge over a bog area. Hit our first blow down just before we reached Rt. 443 and crossed back over two roads. Ascend up thru a field before reentering the woods. Next section was mostly ups. No switch backs at first and just a climb. Several other trails cross the AT in this section too. I had to stop and catch my breath, but DeJaVue was doing his energize bunny impression and was just going and going and going. Oh how he loves the ups. Caught up to him at the top of Second Mountain, as we walked the ridge. Came to an old woods road and started our decent toward Rausch Gap. The temperature was in the mid 50's and I had on a short sleeve shirt. I know they say that for every 1000 feet you go up, it is about 5 degrees cooler, but as we were entering the gap, we came to a section that had evergreens on each side of the trail, made it darker and colder, almost eire like. We joked about this and then saw a sign for a cemetery.   We soon got to Rausch Gap and stopped to read the signs about the town.   Across the way were the two diversion wells, and was interesting reading about them.   We continued on towards the shelter and could hear Rausch Creek with all the water roaring down. The side trail to the shelter had several large blow downs across the road, will make for lots of fire wood once cleared.    We got to the shelter just before 4:00 PM. Could see the newly built privy further down the road. DeJaVue advised that when he was here in 2003, the shelter filled up fast, several others set up tents right on the old roadway leading to the shelter, because it was flat. Rain came that night and several woke up in waterbeds, as it did not drain well and collected there. The spring for Rasch Gap was right out front of the shelter and flowed into a stainless steel troth. We started dinner at this time, DeJaVue said he would get the water today and I could get the water at Peter Mountain Shelter. I remember reading that it was a hike to get the water at Peter Mountain Shelter, but went along with it.      DeJaVue had just finished saying how it was quiet at this shelter, no highway noise to deal with, when a formation of A-10 Warthogs flew over. Could soon hear them firing on their targets. I said and you call this quiet. Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in not to far away.   Reading the new journal for the shelter and was still on the first page, a hunter had signed in, saying he was hunting coyotes. We have heard them before when hiking, but they seem to keep their distance. It was soon getting dark and DeJaVue was getting ready for bed. He was up at 3:00 AM to go to work, so will let him. I told him it may be a long night with the sound of the running water all night. 01-21-2006 Saturday   Rausch Gap Shelter to Peter Mountain Shelter (planned) 17.5 miles, but only did Rausch Gap Shelter to Clarks Valley, PA Route 325,   11.8 miles.   Up during the night for my own running water. Lots of stars out, but noticed the moister ring around the moon. Up for breakfast at 7:00 and watching the sunrise. Red in the morning again, so looks like rain today. Was packed and ready to go around 7:30 AM. DeJaVue was going to hike back to the car and meet me at Clarks Valley, then he was going to drive to PA Route 225 and hike the 2.6 miles into Peters Mountain Shelter and meet me there for the night.      We said our goodbyes and off we went. DeJaVue said he had a nice hike back, but took the road walk back once he got to Route 443, guess he did not want to go swimming again.   As I hiked on I wondered if this is what it would feel like when we said our goodbye in Georgia. He has been a good hiking partner, and a mentor for me, getting ready to do the trail. But then this is my hike and I have to do it my way.    Was a bit of a steady up but pleasant. The trail was wet in places. The weather seemed like it did not know what it wanted to do. It cleared up for awhile and had blue sky and sunshine, then it got cloudy and felt like rain. I stopped to put on rain gear and 5 minutes later I was taking it back off.      Crossed a few streams and was rock hoping and on one I hit a rock that rolled and ended up stepping in the water. Was trying out my Trail Runners on this trip got them baptized early. When I got up near the ruins of Yellow Springs Village a flight of A10 Wart Hogs came over at tree top level. I tried to get a few pictures of them as they were so low I could almost read their name tags, just kidding, but they were low enough that I was half expecting to soon see men in camouflage asking to see my camera.    Did not see much signs of wildlife, but did hear some birds singing up on Sharp Mountain. Could see the DeHart Reservoir off to the right as I hiked. The lack of foliage gave a better view then I will see in June.   It was about 11:15 AM when I saw DeJaVue coming towards me. I had just come over Stony Mountain and started the decent.   I asked him where his pack was, as he was just carrying a should bag with him. He said I should be nice or no trail magic, pulling out a snickers bar.    DeJaVue had gotten to Clarks Valley around 10:30 AM and hiked up to meet me. He said as he was hiking up, he was not looking ahead and paying attention to his footing when all of a sudden in front of him was a racoon on the trail, he jumped back before he realized it was it was dead.   As we were hiking down, I stepped on a rock that was partially covered by leaves and it rolled under my foot, and I fell.   I now had blisters on my heels, I guess because of the taking off the trail runners to put on rain gear, back off to take them off and being wet and all.   DeJaVue noticed how I was walking and asked about it.   I told him and said that it was not too bad.   I would show him when we reached the bottom.   We got to the bottom just before noon, and was crossing over Clarks Creek. The water flowing by looked so inviting. I put my pack at the car, and walked back over to cool off my feet.   As soon as I put my feet in the water, I was done, I did not think that the water would of been that cold, DeJaVue did the fatherly thing and laughed as he took a picture of me.    I checked out the blisters on the back of my heels. DeJaVue asked why I didn't take the super feet out of my boots and put them into the Trail Runners. Why did he not ask that in the beginning. We experience is a good teacher.   It was decided that we would call it a hike for now,   It has started to rain again, and was suppose to get windy and cold.   I told DeJaVue that I could go on, but he said this was just to keep in shape and not to make it hurt. I guess it is better to take care of the feet now while in training, but know on the trail that if this happens will have to deal with it and walk through it.   I wonder if DeJaVue just wanted to get back so he could watch his Steelers play on Sunday? Either way he did stop on the way home to get us both Chocolate/Banana Milk Shakes, so all is good.