Date: 2018-09-11
From: Harpers Ferry ATC Side Trail

To: Snickers Gap, VA Rte 7
Miles today: 19.2

Had a wonderful breakfast thanks to the kind owners of Stone House B&B who allowed me to eat with Puddles, Eddyman, and spouses, even though I didn't stay there. It was a foggy morning and we all walked through the southern end of town before saying our goodbyes. Puddles, Eddyman, and I headed out and crossing the Shenandoah River. I felt a little stiff and it took a couple of hours before I felt warmed up. The trail started off ok with a mixture of dirt and rock, then was some decent, comfortable trail for a while. There were rocks, but enough dirt to step on to avoid the rocks. At some point I moved ahead for a while. I saw eight deer throughout the day, most of which had very little interest that I was there. One baby deer was feeding just off the trail and I spent quite a bit of time taking photos and videos of him, and talking to him. We all stopped for a lunch break after crossing into Virginia from West Virginia. I heated up some water for coffee and we relaxed for a bit. Eddyman and Puddles took off before I did. They were headed to the Blackburn Trail Center. I wasn't sure if I would stop there, or move along further, waiting to see how I felt as the day went on. Before I arrived at the Blackburn Center, I got a call from Blueberry, a hiker I met at Poplar Ridge Lean-to in Maine, then crossed paths with a couple of times after. She knew I had a date in mind that I wanted to finish by, and so did she. The projected path of Hurricane Florence was currently taking a northernly route. Shenandoah National Park was closing the next day, which would limit the amount of mileage once the park was reached. Blueberry was going to head home to Tennessee, then start hiking south in North Carolina in order to keep hiking, and not be stuck in Front Royal. Her dad was picking her up and she offered the option to me to go with her. It seemed reasonable. I had about two more days I could hike, then would have to stop. I told her I would think about it and call her back. I caught up with Eddyman and Puddles who were waiting at the side trail to Blackburn. Puddles said she could barely see me coming through because of the fog. I told them about Blueberry's plan and that I was considering it. The offer was open to anyone who wanted to go. Puddles and Eddyman decided they would stay. Being up for an adventure (as if what I currently doing wasn't enough) I decided I would go. We said our goodbyes and I headed off, hiking another 7 miles to get to a location for a shuttle to pick me up and take me to Front Royal. The rocks on the trail increased to the point that the trail was completely covered with them, and there was no way to avoid them. I also began hiking the "roller coaster" which is exactly what it sounds like, hills going up and down. The rocks reminded me of the rocks in Pennsylvania, which mutilated my feet at the beginning of my hike in May. The last four miles to Rte 7 for a shuttle pick up was rough, and it was nearly dark by the time I got there. A copperhead snake in the trail reminded me that I was back in poisonous snake country again and would need to be alert. Mike picked me up and took me to Front Royal to jump in with Blueberry and her dad, David. Mike is a former through hiker who now runs a shuttle service and hostel. I'll admit, I was a little grumpy after walking on the rocks. Everyone was talking about how great the trail was in the south and I wasn't expecting the rocks. Mike was a good conversationalist and helped me lighten up a bit. We got into Blueberry's parents home late, and I settled in to the pool house in a very comfortable bed.