Date: 2012-05-15
From: Boblett's Gap Shelter

To: Apple Orchard Falls Trail 
Miles today: 21.0

Apple Orchard Falls Trail - Wildwood Campground - 21.0 milesIt rained most of the night, stopping sometime in the early morning. I woke at 5:40, packed and was gone by 6:20. The trees were still dripping but the rain had stopped. The trail was wet and muddy. In many places water was running down the trail and although I tried to stay out of it, it was impossible. The streams were all gushing water, many over their banks. There was no chance of keeping your feet dry today. The water I took for drinking was muddy since the deluge and fast running streams churned up all the dirt. The walk to Cove Mountain Shelter was easy except for the water on the trail. I stopped there to rest and eat an early snack. After Cove Mountain, the trail to Jennings Creek was equally easy. When I reached the road at the creek there was 'Ma'am' and 'Pop' giving out Trail Magic. In addition, SOS, who I haven't seen since Damascus, was there. SOS was slack packing southbound back to Va Rt 614, then driving north and slack packing southbound again back to here. He has caught back up to me after his 5 days off the trail. SOS mentioned slack packing with him up to Wildwood Campground, but we didn't finalize anything. I had some homemade zucchini bread with apple butter and a couple of hard boiled eggs. It was great. They said we received over 3 inches of rain yesterday. Thanks to all Trail Angels providing Trail Magic to hungry thru hikers. After leaving Jennings Creek, the trail goes up steeply, crossing Fork mountain, then right back down again. Since there was no view on top or other special place, I do not know why we had to climb over this. When I reached the gap again, I came to Byrant Ridge Shelter. Bryant Ridge Shelter has a unique design. It has 3 levels. Two sleeping levels and a lower level for a picnic table and sitting. It is a very nice design. Most of the shelters are unimaginative rectangular box shapes, maybe 8x16 feet with the standard 3 walls and a roof. This one is unique with offset sleeping areas and a separate level for cooking and sitting. After Bryant Ridge, the trail turns up again climbing Floyd Mountain. It goes up about 2300 feet over 4 miles. The climb wasn't hard, just long. Just 1/2 mile past the top was Cornelius Creek Shelter. I stopped, intending on spending the night; it was 4:30. Then SOS arrived doing the 2nd part of his 2 part slack pack. He told me his car was 2 1/2 miles north, then a few tenths east on the Apple Orchard Falls side trail. If I wanted I could walk there and drive his car around to where he is going to finish and pick him up, then we would go to Wildwood Campground for the night. I agreed and we called the campground and reserved a cabin for 4. His wife and daughter will be there too. SOS took off going south, I finish up some things and walked north to his car. I reached the car about 7 pm and drove back to Jennings Creek to pick him up. I waited for SOS. He finally arrived at 8:40, at dark. We drove to Bedford VA to get a burger on the way to Wildwood Campground. We didn't arrive at the cabin on the campground until 11 at night, much later than I am used to. By the time I got organized and took a shower, I went to bed at midnight. The real midnight not hiker midnight.