Date: 2015-10-13
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

I left Pinefield Hut this morning cold but feeling rejuvenated. It's hard not to smile in delight when surrounded by such beauty all day long. I saw deer in the middle of the night again when I had to "use the restroom." As a side note, this is a real inconvenience when you have to get up three times in the middle of a freezing night. I will usually lay there in pain until I can hardly stand it because I don't want to get out of my sleeping bag and shelter to brave the elements. Even harder when you add rain and wind to the mix. This morning I came upon Ivy Creek which was a large creek with multiple small waterfalls with water cascading down the rocks into large pools that would be perfect for wading on a warm day. The stones in the creek were covered with the brilliant yellow, red and brown leaves that had fallen from the trees. The sound of the water was musical and so soothing and a great spot for reflection and a snack. The large rocks around the water offered luxury seating and were more comfortable than living room furniture in my opinion. Another spot for me that brought tears to my eyes because of the realization again that I am so lucky to be on this great adventure and witnessing such beauty day in and day out for months that most people only dream about. I decided to bypass the Loft Mountain Wayside even though I had my heart set on a blackberry milkshake that I've heard so much about. It would have been over a mIle of extra hiking. Instead I stopped at the Loft Mountain Camp Store that was only 75 yards off the trail. Good choice! There were outlets to charge cell phones in the breezeway and best of all a coin operated HOT shower. It was only $1 for 5 minutes so I took a 20 minute shower and was able to wash my hair for the first time in 14 days. This is a record for me and one that I never want to repeat. They even had a laundry room here which I really needed but did not have time for. There was a hiker box in the room, and I found a clean towel and shampoo, conditioner and facial scrub to use for my shower. I was feeling like a million bucks. The staff was so helpful in the store and let me heat up some water in the microwave to make hot cocoa. This helped warm me up as my phone charged. I purchased yogurt, pretzels and hummus and nacho flavored doritoes for lunch. The yogurt was so good I bought another one to hike out with me and a few other things to make my food bag last a couple more days until I get into Waynesboro to resupply. Fortunately there was enough sunshine today to dry my hair despite the cold and wind. Evenings here in the Shenandoahs have been dipping into the low 40's. The end of the day was a spectacular surprise when I summited Black Rock and encountered high rock piles everywhere with open vistas along the ridge line looking into the mountain range. At first it brought a flashback of Mt. Madison in the Whites. The only difference, which is a big one, is that Mt. Madison was a huge rock pile that went straight up for a half mile that needed to be climbed to summit, but here the trail skirted around the rocks and was no where near as high. Still, it was a sight to be seen that seemed a little out of place from the rest of the Shenandoahs. The autumn colors added even more dimension and distinction to this unique vista. Half a mile farther was my resting point for the evening, the Black Rock Hut. It was a fairly steep descent a third of a mile off the trail. The water source here is one of the fastest flowing you can get on the trail. It is shaping up to be another cold evejjng. Beetle and two other section hikers are here as well. I ate two cold sandwiches from bread and turkey I bought at the camp store today, as well as my berry yogurt. One of the sandwiches was to be my lunch for tomorrow, but I am starving tonight for some reason. Today was a great day, and I will be sorry to leave the Shenandoahs but eager to explore the rest of Virginia.