Date: 2016-06-10
From: Stealth campsite on Turk Mountain

To: Stealth campsite on Loft Mountain
Miles today: 17.8

It doesn't happen out here, but I finally had a sunset you would call Spectacular! After a very long day, a dash for people food, and a long climb back up to my perch, I had the perfect viewpoint for this sunset.The day started on Turk Mountain, my tent site had worked quite well and there was even a chill in the morning air. My big goal for the day was to get to the Loft Mountain Wayside for dinner. I was dreaming of a Blackberry shake, a hamburger, and fries. I didn't get a very early start but finally got packed and left the campsite about 8:30. There were gradual ups and downs almost all day with no great views. Booty Call passed me as I was heading for the Blackrock Shelter for lunch and water and we talked as we climbed. She was from Ottawa and had come down to do a section for a hiking vacation. She was really interested in the whole thru-hiker culture and was thinking she might try to meet up with some of the people she met in the New Hampshire AT. At the shelter Ukelady and Breeze were finishing up there lunch and WalkJog was struggling with her pack. I had lunch and got water, and with 8.5 miles to go headed out toward the Wayside. Ukelady and Booty Call had already taken off and they were going to try to make the next shelter over 13 miles away. Ukelady wanted to do a marathon, 26 miles. The trail went up Blackrock Mtn. which was a jumble of loose rock. My wife and I had climbed it a couple of years ago when we were visiting Shenandoah by car. I hated to waste time climbing it but can't resist a peak or a good view. After Blackrock Mtn. the trail descended to Dundo Picnic Area and then up Loft Mountain. I met Booty Call walking south and she had decided to stay at Loft MountIn Csmpground. It was one of the big Park Service campgrounds with RVs and car campers and she figured she could hitch a ride back to her car easier there. We wished each other luck and went along our way.Hurrying down the trail I met Rosy Eagle, a 74 year old who had just finished his SOBO (southbound) hike, at Springer Mtn. He had returned to Shenandoah to finish a few miles that were closed when he went through due to forest fires. I congratulated him and headed back down the trail intent on getting to the Wayside before they closed. It was almost 6 pm and once I got to the turnoff there would be another 0.6 miles to get to the Wayside. At the trail turnoff I spied a nice stealth campsite with one tent already on it. I put my pack down on my groundsheet to claim a space and headed down the side trail for the Wayside without my pack. It was a great decision in that respect because the trail was very, very steep. I was almost running down with no pack and wanting to make sure I got there before they closed. In my worst nightmare I would arrive 30 minutes before their 7 pm closing but they say, "Sorry hon, the grill is closed, but we have these packages of freeze-dried food we can sell you".I did get down there at 6:30, and the grill was not closed. I ordered a hamburger, a hot dog, fries, and a blackberry shake. I wish I could say it was as good as in my dreams, but well, it was pretty good! I filled up a water bladder that I had brought down and headed back up to the top of Loft Mountain. Without a pack the trail wasn't too bad and in 15 minutes I was back on top. I set up my tent, hung my food bag, and then retired to the rocks at the overlook. And there I sat, watching my sunset, taking pictures, with a full belly and very sore feet. And it was a spectacular sunset.