Date: 2017-07-11
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

1. Date: Seasday, Afterlithe 19 (7-11)2. Day 773. Morning temp: 654. Weather: Breezy, overcast5. Time start: 08076. Time stop and miles: 1940/15.37. End point: Pass Mountain Hut8. Events: Log:I slept ok as usual and didn't roll out of the hammock until 0615ish. I packed everything up and took it down to the shelter as I didn't want to walk back up that hill again where we had set up.We headed out after 08 again and continued hiking north. The day was a little overcast, but it was still a fine day.We rested by the horse stables around 1000 and saw that if the Skyland Resort was only .6 away and they serve breakfast until 1030. We hurried along and made it there with plenty of time to spare. The hostes put us in a corner, which is understandable as this is one of the classier places in the park, but we have sropped apologizing about our odor. They are used to it I guess. I did pitty the couple that were seated next to us though.They had an AYCE breakfast buffet and we had a great second breakfast. It was awesome. After resting a bit we continued on. We passed the highest point on the trail in the park at Stony Man and then climbed up to Little Stony Man cliffs that had a great view. As we walked along I came to a gap in the rocks and there was a man down there in climbing gear. It was a little surprising to see him down there.Next we took a nice long break at Pinnacles picnic area. There was a large group of summer camp kids going out for a three day trip and I was relieved when they said they were headed south. I hope they have fun.We took a short break at Byrds Nest #3 Hut and then went on to Marys Rock which had another great view. We could see where we had to go next which was quite a ways down and could imagine where the shelter was up on the next mountain.On the way there I was out in front for a while. LoGear caught up to me and told me I walked right past a bear that was about 20 feet off the trail sitting on a rock. She got pics so it did happen.On the final descwnt to the highway crossing she said she came upon a snake that had its head in a hole and was squirming around. We found out later it was hunting a frog.We rested one more time at the parking lot that had a very nice restroom. We cleaned up a bit and got water for the last mile to the shelter. We talked to a couple that we had passed going down, who told us about the frog.The trail was very rocky today and our feet were hurting as a result. The trail was painful today, but the trail is the trail.We did call the nearby hostel to see if they had room, but they were booked solid. It would have been nice to get another shower, but showers are overrated and we have embraced our Adventure Stench.One more mile and we were in camp. We saw another deer right in the trail on the way and when we were setting up our hammocks an eight point buck lingered near us the whole time we were setting up.We made dinner as darkness fell and talked with a couple of hikers, G and Runaway, then came back to our hammock for the night.The next two days are less miles each day, so the finish of this push should be pretty easy.Flora: Black CohoshFauna: Deer, bear (LoGear), snake (LoGear)VOD: Little Stony Man and Mary's RockSmell: MugglesSound: Blue JayHigh: The awesome breakfastLow: My hurting feet at the end of the day from the rocky trailHope: For a good day of hiking and another awesome Wayside visit.