Date: 2004-06-18
From: Moorland Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: moderate rain

Was joined by two section hikers last night ¢ Grey Panter and Just John ¢ out to hike to Damascus, which will complete Grey Panters hike of the entire trail.      Slept well, but did hear the mice scratching about. We all were early risers and as we were having breakfast there was a sudden down pour of rain. It seemed just like a shower, so we all started out without raingear ¢ a decision that turned out to be correct. The rain tapered off to a few showers and then stopped. I said goodbye to Grey Panter and Just John who were going to go on in to Hampton and hot showers.   On the heights there was a lot of mist and it was dark and gloomy under the trees. I guess I must have been on top of White Rock Mountain since it seemed like the hike to Denis Cove Road was all downhill. There has been a lot of new, and impressive, trail work and relocation in this area, and I saw the trail crew working away down slope in the fog ¢ too far to communicate.   Had to relace the boots on the downhill since my feet have a tendency to slide forward in the toe box, and I fear that I will have a right companion for my left big toe subungal hematoma.   When I arrived at Denis Cove Road all things changed. First the weather cleared up ¢ the sun came out, a light wind began to blow, and the humidity disappeared. This all contributed to one of the best hikes that I have had so far. The trail ¢ a broad path ¢ follows along the banks of the Laurel Fork and crosses over a very impressive bridge, partly new and partly old. It looked as if the central section had been replaced recently. The trail then winds thru a series of rock gorges very impressive with gaunt bear rock towering on both sides. Then it follows along the crest of the gorge only to take a precipitous descent ¢ on excellent stone and rocky steps ¢ to bring me at last to Laurel Fork Falls. These are indeed impressive falls and a definite Kodak moment. At the falls I met Gretel and her friend Alex who were braving the elements and swimming in the falls ¢ too much by far for me, water being far too cold and dangerous looking.   I had a bit of difficulty finding the continuation of the trail north ¢ a sharp turn at the falls had thrown me off. I was about to climb back up the way that I had come when I found the continuation of the trail. Now the trail ran along the bottom of the gorge ¢ often just feet above the churning water on slippery and rocky ledges ¢ I can see why there is a blue blazed high water route. Gradually the trail winds back up and out of the gorge and back on to the crest.   Got here to the shelter and unpacked and got into my dry gear. Everything I wore was saturated with sweat, even my belt. It was as if I had been hiking in a downpour, but no cold, so no problem.   After I arrived here I got a good signal and had a long talk with Kathy and the kids. Dr John, whom I had met smoking a cigarette on the banks of the Elk River, is here ¢ he came up the blue blaze ¢ and is now slack packing back to see the falls ¢ smart move. Also just arrived is a very sweaty and disgruntled Blister Bill. He also could not find the continuation of the trail at the falls and ended up with a very frustrating bushwhack before he realized his error. He is a sign painter and hopes to find work in Damascus to allow him to continue his hike north. He is from Boston with an accent to prove it.            Thought for today ¢                Survival of the fittest does not mean that physical fitness dictates survival, but that the species that best adapts to the environment will survive. But what if we control the environment???