Date: 2015-06-24
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today was pretty much a perfect hiking day.I woke up and thought it might be close to morning, even though it was still dark out. Then I checked my phone and it was 11:25. I guess that is what happens when you go to sleep before 8 pm.Because I was camped far from the shelter and the other tents, I didn't have to worry about waking anybody when I started packing up a little after 5 am. It wasn't fully light but I had been awake for at least 30 minutes. It was actually cool out and I did all my chores wearing my long pants and rain jacket before changing into my hiking clothes. I went to the spring and got my bear bag (both a long way from my tent) and I left camp at 6:06. Not too shabby.The cool weather was of course great for hiking. As I mentioned yesterday, the trail climbed about 900 ft immediately behind the shelter so that got me nice and warm. At the top of the climb was a view from Chimney Rocks and I'm happy to report it was unspoiled by trash or graffiti. Plus it was a great view of hills and a river (no idea which one, this is the first time I wished I carried a map). The river had low clouds above it, it was pretty cool. There were more rocks, but by and large the trail was pretty easy from here to Caledonia State Park. Where there is a snack bar. And more flushing toilets. And a pool. I didn't go into the pool or even wade in the stream because it was still relatively cool. Perfect for hiking but not what I'd call pool weather. I was a bit too early for the snack bar but it opened soon and I enjoyed a cheeseburger with fries and a soda. And then I felt like a failure of a thru-hiker because I couldn't finish my fries...I stayed in the park for about an hour and a half before moving on. Again the trail started climbing immediately but it wasn't too far before it leveled out again. After a couple of miles I arrived at Quarry Gap shelter which surely wins 'nicest shelter on the AT'. It had potted plants, a sun dial, decorations inside and out and just in general had a very homey feel to it. It was only just after 1 pm and too early to stop, or I would have stayed.As it was, I had originally planned to camp somewhere short of the next shelter, making for about 17 miles. But the weather was so nice and the miles came so easy that I decided to go all the way to the shelter. There are a lot of nice tent sites here and it means I have an even shorter day tomorrow to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, home of the half gallon challenge (which I will not take on) and Ironmaster Mansion hostel, where I plan to stay.I was still kind of full from lunch so I just ate some snacks for dinner, but I did have two cups of tea! I have gotten back to my tea habit this week, after weeks and weeks of no tea. I chatted a bit with Pacer, PomPom and TigerBob, who have all been at the same shelters the last couple of days. And after I was already in my tent, two guys hiked in trail magic: honey buns and cold drinks. So I brushed my teeth twice this evening. Will brush for sodas and honey buns. The only problem I have now is that I need new shoes and there is no suitable place to ship them. I should have gotten new ones when I was home and at REI but I thought I'd make the old ones go through the notorious Pennsylvania rocks to die before getting new shoes. I now think that may be a bad idea but it might be too late. Logistics logistics!Old shoes or not, I will pass the halfway point for this year as well as the now incorrectly located halfway sign tomorrow!Open map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?