Date: 2013-10-09
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a better start this morning and was on the trail by 7:45. I had hopes to go 2 shelters today, about 21 miles, and I would probably need all the daylight hours I could get. It didn't seem quite as chilly as yesterday morning but my thermometer showed 44, not much above the 39 of yesterday morning. There were a few clouds hanging around but it looked to be another fine day for hiking.Not far from the shelter I flushed a Barred Owl from it's perch near the trail. It crossed the trail just ahead of me and perched nearby for a minute or two before flying off out of sight in the trees. Already it had been a good day on the trail!The trail was mostly gentle ups and downs, generally along the crest of ridges, crossing back and forth across the Skyline Drive a number of times. Each time I came to a road crossing I stopped where I was hidden from view but could listen for approaching vehicles. When I was certain none were coming I quickly crossed the road and kept going on up the trail out of sight.The biggest road crossing challenge was at Swift Run Gap where US 33 crosses under the Skyline Drive and an interchange provides access to the Drive, right past a park entrance station. Getting thru this area and across the overpass without being seen from the entrance station seemed like a real challenge. After scoping things out as best I could while still hidden in the in the trees I made a dash for it. The overpass was about 100 yards long and 3 lanes wide with heavy traffic zooming past on the highway below. I just hoped that a Park Ranger wouldn't happen to drive by as I was enroute across the bridge. Fortunately when I got into the trees on the far side I didn't appear to have been spotted so I kept up a brisk pace up the first hill. So far I haven't seen any other hikers, or anyone else for that matter. A short distance up the trail from the bridge I saw several boot prints in the mud that appeared to be fairly fresh. This is the only evidence I have seen of other people out and about since I left the trailhead. The shelter registers show a few other hikers a day or so ahead but no one appears to be close. Not long after crossing Swift Run Gap I stopped for a quick break and to change socks to deal with a developing blister on my big toe. As I sat down to take off my shoes two Eastern Screech Owls began calling from a nearby dense patch of trees and shrubs in a small wet area. They called back and forth a few times then went quiet. Pretty Neat; two species of owls today!Just as I arrived at the shelter and sat down to filter water from the spring it began to drizzle. I was thinking about filling up with water then moving a short distance up the trail before camping because the shelter is very close to the road, and to the Ranger Station only 2 miles away. However, a steady rain quickly set in and with less than an hour of daylight left I decided to stay in spite of the relatively easy access for curious Rangers that might be looking for hikers in the Park. However, as the evening went on and the rain increased I really appreciated the roof over my head and dry picnic table to cook dinner on. The day never really warmed up much. The highest temp I saw was 48 degrees. By midday it had become mostly overcast with a chilly wind. However, I still found myself changing into shorts and T-shirt by midday and hiking that way the rest of the day. Pretty amazing how much heat you can generate simply by walking, enough to be happy in shorts with temps in the 40's. Another fun day on the Trail in one of America's National Park gems!