Date: 2011-04-23
From: Day 44 Kincora Hiking Hostel

To: Day 45 Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

If yesterday's hike was uneventful well today's sure made up for it. Leaving Dennis Cove Rd. The first highlight of the day were the Laurel Falls and with the recent rain, they were roaring and they were magnificent and the rock canyons I had to walk through were awesome. For a while the Laurel River flowed next to the trail making the whole scene look like a Rockwell painting. The second highlight was the climb up Pond Mountain, a 1735' climb in just over 2 miles. At the top, I stopped and checked my phone for cell service and lucky me I had 3 bars, so since today is my wife's birthday I was able to call and wish her happy birthday. Then it was right back down 1725' to the Shook Branch Recreation Area at Watauga Lake and the 3rd. highlight of the day, trail magic from thur-hiker Mehap and his parents, John and Francine.  They had driven down from PA to surprise him and they sure did, they had a great spread of fruit, salad, sandwiches, sodas, water etc. This time I was careful not to eat too much and not over do it like last time because I had a lot more hiking to do today, I thank them and went on my way around the lake. As I was leaving the far side of the lake I took a long break and climbed down to the water and filled my camelback and took my shirt off and rinsed it on the lake.  This would help me stay cool during the hot afternoon sun. The next highlight was Watauga Lake and the Watauga Dam which I got to walk over. What a sight indeed. Then the next highlight was upon me before I knew it, a long hard steady climb up 1520' to the Vandeventer Shelter and my home for the night.  As I was climbing the last 2 miles to the shelter I was hot, tired and out of water. Needless to say not really paying 100% attention to what I was doing only focusing on where is that spring, it was hot and I really needed water. Imagine my surprise then when my hiking pole almost hit what I thought was a root by the side of the trail. Instead of a root it coiled back, hissed and started to rattle. It was a large, black, diamond back rattle snake. Yikes, It is amazing that even being so hot and tired, I was able to jump up and sideways all at the same time without ever touching down. With my heart now really in high gear I went about 10' down the trail and stopped, turned around and using the zoom feature on the camera took a picture. It was still there and coiled but had stopped rattling. I felt sure it didn't want to be bothered by me and I certainly didn't want to be bother by it. But it certainly was a close call.  Within 500 yards I did find the spring. Since the book said water at the shelter was way down hill I decided to fill everything I had, including me, which meant I was going to carry 4 liters (8 lbs.) the remaining 1-1/2 miles to the shelter which was perched high on the mountain with an awesome view of the Watauga  lake and the surrounding area. At the shelter I tried my cell phone again and it worked so I was able to call my wife and wish her Happy Birthday again before she went to bed. Boy am I a happy hiker tonight.  With no tenting space available I stayed in the shelter. Tonight at the shelter are Lisa, Spark, Twig, Sprout, Sherpa, John, Billy Goat, Mayo. Total miles today 17.4.