Date: 2018-04-27
From: VA 600 - Quarter Way Inn

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

After a good night¢s sleep and an awesome breakfast at the Quarter Way Inn, we were ready to get back on the trail again. As we were departing Tina took a picture of our group in front of a huge sycamore tree in her front yard. She also told me that she reached out to the local trail club that was responsible for the Walker Mountain to VA 610 re-route, letting them know that hikers were confused by the signage at the north end of the new route. Tina also said that she was reaching out to Guthook to advise them to update the App with the new trail coordinates. Another hiker told us that he actually followed the yellow blaze all the way back to the top of Walker Mt, making a giant loop. Ouch!Ready to put the past behind us, the four of us wasted no time walking .3 miles to where the AT intersected with VA 610 and then retraced our steps up the hilly pasture. This time we opted to continue up the hill on the faint path in search of the next white blaze. It appeared just over the rise, leading us back into the woods. A short distance later the trail merged with a country road that would take us over a bridge crossing the Holston River. The trail followed a narrow corridor between the river and private farmland. At times it felt as though we were running an obstacle course as we had to negotiate several steep stiles over tall fences. After parting ways with the river, we found ourselves on a muddy path passing through a live pasture. A dozen or so cows stared down at us as if they had never seen hikers before. The cattle were not the only species enjoying the lush grass in the pasture. Three deer were startled by our arrival and high tailed it into the woods above. No time to get a picture. Nor could I get the blue bird perched on a white blazed post to hold its pose long enough to frame a shot. Needless to say, spring is alive in the mountain lowlands of southern Virginia. Wild dogwood, apple, and cherry trees were already shedding their blooms. Flowers blooming in all shapes and colors also lined the way. After a short stint through another wooded section, the trail came close to another road with trailhead parking. Backed into the small parking area was a white van. You guessed it, more trail magic. This time it was compliments of Ramblin Rose. She was supporting her husband, Turtle, in his thru hike. Turtle would show up at the same shelter as us later in the evening. After the nice morning stroll, it was time to get busy. The hike over Brushy Mountain and Lynn Camp Mountain were just a prelude to what would lie ahead. But before taking on the final ascent of the day, we crossed over Lick Creek and found a good spot to stop for lunch. Soon, Butter Knife & Heartburn, two German hikers and a young couple named Huck & Ray would join us. We all started the day at the Quarter Way Inn. Which Way and I were the first to begin the final five miles of the hike, up 2,100 feet to the top of Chestnut Knob. The steepest part of the climb came in the first 1.5 miles. With nothing to see but tall dark trees, we put our heads down and got after it. After the incline steadied a bit, we paused for a Cliff Bar that would fuel us to the top. Most of the final three miles were up a brushy mountainside. As we climbed higher the views on all sides and behind us grew grander. The best views were at the top, where we camped for the night. High winds were forecasted for tonight, so we opted to stay inside the fully enclosed Chestnut Knob Shelter. The other hikers were not far behind us. After some stretching, dinner and a game of cards (at least for Which Way, Butter Knife, and Ray), we stepped outside in time to catch an awesome sunset. It feels so good to be back on track. Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:               Weather:Ascent ~ 4,250                  Day ¢ 60 degrees / Mostly CloudyDescent ~ 2,580                Night ¢ 42 degrees / ClearGrade ~ 9.3Over the Horizon: McAfee¢s Knob