Date: 2007-06-12
From: Harpers Creek shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Start at 0700 since I want to get out before it gets hot out. No sooner had I started on the trail another deer was coming toward me from the other direction. We both stopped about 20-25 ft from each other. I was hoping it would just get out of the way but it stayed on the trail and would not move even when I walked toward it. Eventually, the deer moved on up the hillside and I got past it before starting the climb up to Chimney Rocks and over Three Ridges. I think this has to be as steep as the trail going up Mt Albert but here there are rock steps most of the way up since it is so steep. This has to be the most technically challenging part of the trail so far. Physically it has been a test of endurance to keep going without stopping to often. All I can say about it to is rocks, Rocks, ROCKS! I hate hiking on rocks but that is where the trail goes and therefore I must go too. Hiking over rocks continually makes my feet sore and really affects my mood. I do make it up and over Three Ridges and find an open spot with awesome views. I caught glimpses on the way up of the valley below but this side is even better. For views and scenery like this I suppose a little soreness is worth the moment like now. My mood is still down with the rocky trail and I take an early lunch at Maupin Field shelter and let the feet rest too. It¢s too early to think about stopping here even though the next shelter is 16 miles away. It will be a challenging day if I make it with these sore feet. The trail continues its rocky way to Cedar Cliffs and the last half mile until I get to Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 9.6 and Dripping Rock Parking Area. I was ready for a break here after this last rocky section of the trail. It sprinkled a couple times which made it a little cooler but it also made the rocks slippery too. Even though the feet are sore I can still push on to the shelter before it gets dark. For the majority of the day I have been hiking by myself and had seen very few people. I think being with others and seeing people takes your mind off the trail and whatever soreness or minor aches one might have. At least half the mileage is done already. The trail from there to Humpback Mt is better with a couple areas where climb on the rocks is needed. One of the views from the top is of the resort area in the distance with all the houses and buildings. It kind of destroyed the view from the ridge. After a break and the threat of rain with the clouds getting darker and the thunder sounding it is time to get going to the shelter. Once off the Humpback Mt ridge and beginning to descend the rain starts and it feels good. I decide to hike on in the rain and my pace also quickens since my mood has changed with the rain. I like hiking in the coolness of the rain and the temperature drop it brings. I start seeing these orange newts in the wet areas of the trail and after a few I start counting them to take my mind off my sore feet and toes. By the time I get to Mill Creek and the shelter I counted 41 of them. At the shelter is a group of naturalists out for a 4 day hike. They offer me some of their dinner they made from the plants in the area. It was far better than my noodles I also had. I find that I have much in common with them with their love of nature and it makes for a great ending to a very long and physically challenging day. Tenting: Handyman, group of naturalists. Wx: cool, breezy - am, warm - afternoon, rain early evening.