Date: 2007-05-30
From: at mile 484

To: Chestnut Flats
Miles today: 18.5

I started hiking about 9 this morning. It is a nice day so far, high 60's and sunny, although it feels as though it might be a warm day. This first section I'm going through is open hard woods and pretty flat, which is a great way to warm up. I hate starting out with a climb before hiking a bit.I just went down a blue blazed trail, that was listed in the handbook as being 200 yards,to get water. It was more like a quarter of a mile down hill. I thought at first I had missed it somehow, but I was still seeing blue blazes. I eventually reached it. I would have gone even if I knew it was that far, but its nice to know in advance. Two other hikers had stopped and on my way back up from the spring they told me the data book they were using listed it as .2 mile. Guess I'm using the wrong book! The trail is starting to climb, not too steep, but I have about an 800' elevation gain over the next 2 miles.The trail is really rocky and sections are worn down to the roots. It makes walking a little more difficult. I am wearing a new pair of boots, they are actually a low-cut lightweight hiker. I have always worn a heavy duty backpacking boot because they give your feet and ankles more support, especially when your carrying a heavy load. But I decided that with all the foot problems I've been having it may be worth trying the lightweight ones. I cut my pack weight down to about 25.5 lbs so a heavy boot isn't really needed. I just hope my ankles can take it. All these rocks are putting them to the test. I had finally decided to break down and buy a digital camera. I have been using disposables and have many times run out of film with several days to go before a town. This is a once in a lifetime trip and I would like to have some decent pictures to remember it by. I was getting off the exit,to buy the camera, on my way back to the trail. I saw an outfitter, so I decided to pop in and look at boots. I happen to find a pair that fit my, hard to fit, odd shaped foot. So I figured I needed the boots more then the camera. Guess I'll stick with the disposables. I just passed the side trail that leads to Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Va. I climbed it last year when I hiked this section, and since it's not part of the A.T., I skipped it. I took a snack break at Thomas Knob Shelter and was joined by a guy named Tom, who had just come down from Mt. Rogers. He flew out here from Denver to hit the high points in a few states out this way. I have been working on climbing the high point in each state as well, but I only do them when I am already in the area vacationing or something.His car was down in Massie Gap so we hiked together and talked for a few miles until his turn off. We climbed up onto an enormous rock where some people were rock climbing and repelling down below. I briefly talked to one of the climbers and then we headed down to Fatman Squeeze. The Squeeze is a natural rock tunnel that the trail passes through. There is also a side trail that goes around it.The wild ponies were out in the field we walked through, although not as close as I was to them last year. I had hikers tell me stories about the ponies coming up trying to lick the salt of them! Glad they were at a distance.Grayson Highlands State Park is very well maintained and I enjoyed hiking through it. Most of the hiking today was between 4000' and 5000', and was open mountain tops with beautiful views.Well my day is done and my feet held up fairly well. I do feel a bit more strain on the bottoms of my feet and around my ankles. But my normal problem areas feel great. Time will tell!