Date: 2016-05-28
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Mile 849 campsite with view
Miles today: 14.7

It was good to be back in my tent and back outdoors again last night. I slept great and did not even wake up until 7:00am. I guess the fact that I hardly slept the night before at the hostel and that I hiked over 28 miles might have played into my good night sleep as well. Rucker made it out of camp before I did, but I was out before the Forest and Mud Puppy. The hike started with about a three mile climb up Three Ridges Mountain. I was glad it was morning and that we were on the west side of the mountain. It was still pretty cool which helps a lot. Forest eventually passed me going up and we would see each other a lot during the day. I reached the top around 10:30am. I was so glad to have that climb behind me. The rest of the day had no more big climbs. It heated up quickly but there was a nice breeze all day. It was a really nice day. It was humid, but it still felt good to me. I stopped at Hanging Rock Overlook which had incredible views. I dried my tent and took in the scenery for a good bit. I talked to Forest and a few other hikers before heading on my way. There were a lot of day hikers on the trail today. It is Memorial Day weekend and that has a lot of people out hiking. The hiking today was really good and I really enjoyed it. The forest seemed very alive as the birds were singing all day long and the breeze was moving through the trees. There was also a lot of rocky areas today, but that seems to be a theme in Virginia so far. Today reminded me of Mount Monadnock back home. I hiked pretty slow today. It was nice to just go slow and look around a bit more. I hiked with Forest for a bit until we got to Maupin Field Shelter. I ate my lunch there and got water and then headed on my way. I had my third bear encounter in the last week or so around 5:00pm. I was just hiking along and I looked out to my left and there was a big momma bear about a hundred feet away staring at me. Then I noticed her two cubs on the other side of her and was like, oh boy. I was already parallel to her when I saw her so I just kept walking normally. I did reach and get my phone out of my pocket to take a photo, but I was getting the star down from this bear so I decided not to stop and take a picture. She did not look happy with me. She stared at me all the way up the trail. I was glad to get past and be on my way. That is three adult bears and two cubs that I have seen now. If I am going to see them it is much more desirable to see them in the day. No doubt about that. Shortly after my bear encounter I came up to the road to some good trail magic. It has been a few weeks since I have run into any. I had a banana and an orange, along with some recess peanut butter cups and skittles. I only had two more miles to the campsite. It was uphill but it was not too bad. I made it there at about 6:00pm. Forest was there and there was a father and his two daughter there also. Mud Puppy showed up as did Slim Rim. The daughters asked if they could interview us for a school project of theres. We all said yes and they did there interview while recording it. We all ate and then watched a beautiful sunset out on the rocks. This camp site is a good one with great views. It was a very good day. Tomorrow it is into Waynesboro. I will probably zero on Monday, which is Memorial Day. The trails will be mobbed with day hikers, plus I am due a day off. I am planing on going to the outfitter in town to look into some different lighter gear. I am hoping that goes well. The Shenandoah National Park is the next part of the trail and I am very excited to see it.