Date: 2013-04-10
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was tough both on my feet and on the mind, and the incessant heat worsened the suffering. Despite the conditions, the day ended on a fair note and I am glad to have gotten the mileage out of the way to make for shorter hiking the following few days.We awoke in the morning as usual and hit trail around 545am and descended the remainder of the trail into the valley. As the red hues of the sun began to crest over the distant ridges we found ourselves crossing some cow pastures, in perfect position to enjoy the sunrise. After crossing the first field shortly before a road we hiked past a donkey grazing in an adjacent field. Sara and Buddy the dogs had a pickle with him and the Montanas and I had to wrangle them in and put on their leashes. after crossing the road we hiked up the ensuing hill and down into a wedge in the pasture to find one of the largest trees on the southern AT, the Keiffer Oak (over 18' around). Soon after we crossed a small stream where we stocked up for the dry ridge ahead. The climb up was fairly pleasant and the morning sun was well shaded by the trees. When we reached the top we were greeted by a pleasant breeze which persisted for a short time, but by the end of the 5 mile ridge walk the breeze had died and the sun resumed its powerful presence in the sky. On the way down we stopped at a few surprise springs to cool off the dogs, as well as a large shaded stream a mile or so before the shelter. Shortly before reaching the shelter we ran into hiker Old Grey Mare who was descending off the ridge where she had camped the night before and was getting a ride from Four Pines Hostel. The Montanas and I stopped at the shelter for some shade and snacks and Old Grey Mare passed by. We headed down and found her at the road, along with the man who runs the hostel. We chatted for a few minutes about snakes and he offered us some ice cold water, a welcomed trail magic treat. We soon hit the trail again and were in great anticipation of a stream Matchbox had mentioned as large enough to swim in. Sure enough we crossed a large bridge over the nice flowing Craig Creek and stopped to swim and get the dogs wet as well. Buddy was loving the water, as most labs do, and he jumped in many times to fetch some sticks we threw in for him. I felt rejuvenated after the plunge and it was nice to put on cool soaking wet clothing. But the feeling of refreshment was only temporary, and soon I was climbing uphill again in the sweltering heat. The trail was surprisingly very well graded and had few rocks, and had it not been for the heat it would have been a nice moderate climb. But the sun always has a way of changing conditions on the trail. It seemed just a week ago the sun was a welcomed friend in the sky, but now all I wanted was a few clouds in the sky. The uphill eventually ended and the trail found its way onto a road atop the ridge and actually had several benches scattered along the way. We encountered some dog trail magic in the form of a frog pond, and shortly after we came across the Audie Murphy monument. We encountered a southbound section hiker who had reached here in only 10 days from harper's ferry. He didn't seem too happy, but no surprise when you're logging 30 miles a day every day. As the trail began the slow descent towards the pickle branch shelter, its path became very frustrating and pointless. We traveled up and down small peaks while slowly making our way back almost in the same direction we came from. Eventually we crossed into the other side of the valley and reached a road a mile and a half short of the shelter. We rinsed off in the creek and headed uphill for the last of the grueling day. The shelter was off the trail a little, but the water source was a well flowing stream with watercress growing in it, and I was glad to have logged in some good miles that day. As I made my dinner we heard some sounds in the woods and sure enough Jonny Blaze approached. He had gone home to Roanoke the night before and started again in the morning. He ate some dinner then once again took off for a night hike..