Date: 2014-05-20
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

It was difficult for me to get up since it was cold outside. I wanted to sleep more but The drive to get hiking win out.Soon after leaving the shelter, I saw wild horses down a meadow. I left the trail and walk down there to say hello. The horses are very chilled out and did not mind my presence. It is against park rules to feed them or pet them so I admired them from a short distance away. I also did not walk to get bit or kicked by a pony!Coming down Mount Rogers was very rocky and it was time consuming to carefully watch each step. Safety first! I walked through a cool natural rock formation called ' Fat Man Squeeze'. It was difficult to see where the trail was heading at times because white blazes were on the sides of boulders.I passed many other groups of horses before reaching the official Grayson Highlands State Park entrance. I think many horses like to hang out my the trail to see if they can get food from hikers.The terrain in Grayson was much easier than in the Mount Rogers area. The path was wider, flatter and had way less rocks! Both parks had some of the most stunning views I've seen on the trail. Many hikers choose it as their favourite place on the entire AT.Just before reaching the Wise Shelter, I passed the 500 mile point. woohoo!!!!!After leaving Grayson, the trail climbed up to an open meadow area at Stone Mountain. It was definitely worth the climb up for the views and lovely wildflowers. I saw the Scales area in the distance. The Scales is were farmers would bring their cattle to be sold. It was better to sell cows in the mountain because they would lose weight if they were herding down into the valley. The area had a garbage can so I too the opportunity to dump my trash.I was feeling tired but I pressed on up Pine Mountain towards Old Orchard Shelter. The terrain turned tough again with many super rocky, muddy, wet parts. After a brief snack at the shelter I continued on to the Fox Creek road crossing. Along the way, Some members from the YWAM Christian Group passed me and told me their van was at the bottom.At the van, I ate some snacks, filled up my water bottles and chatted for a bit to see how everyone's hike was going. I still had 3.3miles until my intended destination so I couldn't stay long.I was dreading the final climb of the day up Iron Mountain but it turned out to be not so difficult with plenty of gradual switchbacks. My feet were really sore and swollen from the rock sections earlier so I was really glad when I finally saw the shelter sign.I didn't bother to go up to the shelter since the camping was beside the the creek along the trail. It was difficult to find a good tenting spot and my tent was fairly lopsided. I was glad if didn't rain!I met a hiker named Train that I am Facebook friends with on the internet. he had some gear set backs earlier in his hike but is now set. He puts in fast, long miles so I expect him to pass me soon but it was nice to meet him in person.I also have been leapfrogging with a hiker named 'homestretch'. Homestretch is from Maine and started on the same day as me on Springer. She does about the same number of miles as me each day and it is great to connect with another solo female thru-hiker.