Date: 2015-04-24
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was one of my favorite days on the trail. It started out quite chilly, a couple of degrees below freezing. But yesterday we had discussed going almost 18 miles down the trail and the thought of a long day had me up earlier than normal. So the hardest part of the day (getting out of my sleeping bag and putting on my cold bra) was over and done with early. I wasn't hungry last night so I didn't really eat dinner. But again the thought of a long day made me eat a wholesome (I.e. something out of Fiddler 's resupply box) breakfast of oats, groats, dried fruit, nuts, chia seeds and maybe part of the kitchen sink too. It was good and warm and of course much better than a Cliff bars, but I do see more of those in my future for sheer convenience.I actually started hiking in more layers than ever and it took a while before the stripping started. It was a beautiful clear day though and it looked like it would warm up later.I passed the first shelter in no time at all and not too long after that, I got to Brown Gap, where there was trail magic! I was the last of the breakfast service and was handed a big plate of freshly scrambled eggs with peppers, onions and cheese and it hit the spot! I also ate a banana, two cookies and had some hot chocolate before continuing on my way. They were about to start serving lunch. The people putting this on were former thru hikers Ox, Otter and Solo and they had quite a sophisticated operation. Thank you so much guys, that plate of eggs got me all the way to Lemon Gap!The big attraction of the day (other than the trail magic of course) was Max Patch. I have seen it in people's pictures and read about it for years but neither does it justice. Max Patch is a grassy bald, which means you have 360 degree views without trees obscuring the way as per normal. And it has beautiful views in every single direction! It is my favorite trail spot so far, bar none. I took a ton of pictures and will send them to Gary for posting as soon as I have wifi.As Rock Boat had let me know through the guest book, the next five or so miles were some of the easiest of the trail! Bonus! So when I got to the next shelter where I was going to decide whether to push on or stay, it was an easy decision. It was only 2pm!When I left that shelter, there was a group of teenage girls sitting on the trail, but when they saw me, a bunch of them got up and started singing to me. Trail serenade! I took their picture and ran through the 'honor guard' with my poles held up, which they seemed to think was an appropriate response. Thanks girls!It took longer than I had expected to reach Lemon Gap, but just before the gap there was a bag of clementines hanging off a branch. More trail magic! They were from 4 women I had passed earlier going in the opposite direction. I know this because they told Cherokee and Fiddler both, and also gave them each a brownie. I got no brownie love, pout pout. But I have to say that fresh fruit is my favorite kind of trail magic so there is that. After the gap, I only had 1.4 miles left, but most of it was uphill. It seemed I never got there, but it has been my experience so far that the last mile to the shelter/camp site/town/whatever destination is always the longest. We are tenting as there are nice sites and the shelter is old and dingy and I bet it's mouse infested! The guys at Brown Gap trail magic told us thunderstorms are expected tonight and rain tomorrow. But someone I spoke with on top of Max Patch said no rain till Sunday, so I hope he's the one who got it right!Tomorrow we hike into Hot Springs. I think I may have a showerOpen map in new windowWant to add a map to your journal?