Date: 2005-03-03
From: Rt. 612 Kimberling Creek Trailhead

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

So last night, I¢m pouring over the maps and guidebook. Tomorrow¢s planned hike is only 11 miles but nearly all uphill to Chestnut Knob shelter, at 4,500 ft the highest point of my hike. Does thigh-high drifts on Gullion Mountain translate into chest-high on Chestnut Ridge?   The next day is ridegeline walking to Jenkins Shelter. I¢ve observed that the ridge crests feature the highest drift levels. Yeah, we¢re not talking about a lot of miles but I don¢t relish all-day full-pack hiking in such formidable drifts.I phoned Northern Harrier to solicit what he remembered from his thru-hike last year, specifically what side of the ridge was the Trail on and what would be his advice? After reviewing options along with pros and cons, he suggested starting further north in Bland on the theory that (a) the elevation wasn¢t as high as Chestnut Ridge, hence shallower drifts and (b) there were more side roads offering bailout possibilities. Great idea!So on a bright sunny less windy but still cold morning, my accommodating host drove me to the Trailhead at Kimberling Creek west of Bland near the I-77 crossing. The initial ascent was more difficult than indicated by the elevation profile; I¢m sure walking in a base of 6-8 inches of virgin snow didn¢t help. I reached the trail to Helvey¢s Mill Shelter at 8:40, an hour after I had started. The rest of the day was ridge walking. Ah, ¢ridge walking¢ which looks like a level line on the elevation profiles really means you¢re walking gradually uphill instead of steeply uphill. Why is this? Because in 8 inches of snow, the downward parts of the ridge take barely more, perhaps less time than dry conditions whereas snow renders the easiest, most forgiving, gentlest upgrade comparable to a slough up Mt. Washington. OK, that¢s a slight exaggeration but there¢s no question that snow hampers even a reasonably fit hiker. Looks like I made the right decision. The drifts are nothing like yesterday but on the ridgecrest, they still come up to mid-calf. The west slope also has deep drifts while the base on some parts of the east slope is only about 3 inches. The gorgeous sunshine (necessitating sunglasses on my part) brings out the best of the snow¢s beauty and affords impressive views to both sides, including Big Walker Mountain, a parallel ridge to the East.After 7 12 miles, I¢m approaching Rt. 611 and all of a sudden, there¢s some bare ground. Hiking up Brushy Mountain on a southeast-facing slope was almost entirely on dirt. Have I run out of snow? The sun¢s warmth is springlike. Reach the summit/ridgeline of Brushy Mountain and the snow reappears, at knee-high deeper than it¢s been the whole day. The last few miles to Jenny Knob were more up and down with varying levels of snow. Reached the shelter at 2:35: too soon for dinner so I have to keep moving to stay warm. Couldn¢t find the water source but since I have a lot of fuel, I manufactured water from the white stuff. The shelter¢s western exposure ensures a healthy amount of afternoon sun sufficient to dry the picnic table (after I had cleared it of 6 inches of snow) and to partially dry my socks and bandanas. Despite a few slits in the boards, the shelter is reasonably free of the wind¢s influence. Splendid sunset but of course, cold. Looks like a water bottles-in-sleeping bag night