Date: 2017-04-07
From: Stealth site at Dismal Creek

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained on and off last night, but no snow. I tend to wake up early, so I had a leisurely breakfast in bed while reading a book on my phone. It was sure colder this morning then it has been making it hard to leave my cocoon of feathers. When I finally started packing up, there were flurries in the air. I had a decent climb of 2,000 ft at the beginning of the hike taking me up to a higher elevation and I pretty much stay up there for the rest of the day. The higher I climbed the more snow I saw on the sides of the trail. The trail stayed pretty clear at first. I crossed many streams today, many with foot bridges. I thanked the trail maintainers many times today for those bridges. Helped keep my feet nice and dry. I still had to rock hop across several streams and the trail itself turned into a small stream in places, but I managed to keep my feet dry. Like the sign says "bridges freeze before roads" or in this case "before trails", all the footbridges were already snow covered. A set of boot prints across each bridges let me know someone was just ahead of me. Whoever it was dragged their hiking poles across every bridge. For some reason, I thought that funny. I did find it was best to walk outside of those prints as they were icy and slippery. I was very cautious going across as I didn't want to fall.I was enjoying the walk today even with the colder temps and snow. The rhododendron tunnels were especially pretty with a dusting of snow on their leaves. I passed Wapiti Shelter and was soon passed by two younger hikers starting their days hike from there. They were on a mission and not thrilled by the weather one bit. We didn't say much besides hello. I could hear the wind blowing pretty good and I wasn't looking forward to an exposed ridge walk when I reached the top. Luckily for me, this trail did not stay right on the tippy top of the ridge making the majority of my hike wind free. However, when I reached the top the trail was covered with a couple inches of snow and became very rocky. I took my time negotiating the snowy, rocky trail. I didn't take any snack breaks, but chose to eat bars warmed up inside my jacket when I found myself on easier patches of terrain. It was very beautiful and I did try to appreciate the scenery around me.The miles seemed long today, I guess because I was trying to be more cautious and going slower. I finally reached the exit for the hostel. Just a half a mile down and I do mean down a gravel road to my destination. All I could think while walking down was I'd have to walk back up that tomorrow. I met Cheap Sunglasses out for a stroll and he assured me there was plenty of room at the hostel. I think he is doing a work-for-stay there for a couple weeks. I finally arrived and Neville greeted me and said there was room in the bunk house, but since it was so cold out I could take a shower and hang out in the house for the day. I dumped my pack in the bunk house which is not heated and very, very drafty. I think bunk house guests are usually not allowed to hang out in the house, so I'm very glad this rule was bent for the day. It would have been a miserable day otherwise. The hostel owners ask guests to help out while there...kind of in a communal way. I stacked wood, helped with dinner and breakfast, and did some laundry. We still had plenty of time to just hang out and rest. I didn't mind and enjoyed the presence of those around me. I hadn't really talked to anybody for a couple days. The meals were very good and I met some amazing people. Neville was running the show on her own, because her husband, Michael, was away on a mini-vacation before the hiker season starts in earnest. Besides Neville, I met Gator and his family who were visiting him, Sparkles, Dory, Gap, Doc, Tunes and Nepal (I don't quite have her name right). There was never a dull moment and I enjoyed the afternoon very much. If you like to people watch, this was a prime location. When I decided to stop there to get a respite from the weather, I didn't know the bunk house wasn't heated. It is a converted barn I think. The bathroom was outside in another building, so I stopped drinking anything quite early in the evening. I didn't want to climb out of my sleeping bag, down the ladder from the loft, fight with the stupid door and go outside to use the facilities in the middle of the night. Haha. I said stupid door, because it was large and I had the hardest time closing it all the way. I slept in my sleeping bag and stayed nice and toasty. We bunk house guests were invited back into the house at 6:30 to help with breakfast. I was back there at 6:40 to help. The price of my stay included getting my laundry done. When I do laundry on the trail, I do everything except my rain gear. There are extra clothes to wear while waiting for those so I hung out in my rain pants and loaner fleece. However, I didn't think I was ever going to get my clothes back. Neville just kept saying she'd do them soon. She was stretched a bit thin trying to do everything. I went to bed in my rain pants and loaner fleece. The next morning still no clothes. I was so happy when she asked me to help with laundry as I was finally in control of getting my clothes back. I was able to change into my clothes right before breakfast! Made me very happy. Those who know me well know that I'm an extreme introvert. I like meeting and being around people, but it really saps my energy when it is over such a long period of time. Neville is a special soul and I'm glad I had the experience of meeting her and spending time at the hostel. It was amazing. I left there tired, but also rejuvenated.