Date: 2016-03-25
From: Gooch Gap campsites

To: Lance Creek campsites
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

Last night, resting comfortably, listening to the rain on the tarp while wishing I could fall asleep, there was a HUGE crash in the woods nearby! It sounded like a tree had fallen, or had a bear messed with the tree where we had hung our food bags? I listened carefully, but didn't hear any snuffing, twigs breaking or other suspicious noises so I put my ear plugs in and finally fell asleep. After all, it was cold and rainy, not a nice night for bears carousing! In the morning, I went to retrieve the bags from their hanging spot and lo and behold, there they were laying on the ground! No, no bear, just two dumb hikers who had chosen a dead branch to hang all that weight! Thankfully, they were untouched and I brought them back to camp, laughing at the errors of our ways!Crumpet and I were a little more organized this morning and managed to leave camp by 10:30 am. Uphill we went immediately to the top of Ramrock Mtn, which offered wonderful views of the mountains in the distance. As we moved along, we were passed by many of the hikers we saw yesterday. The majority had stopped at an earlier shelter than we did and had gotten an early start. It was fun to see everyone and exchange rainy night woes. After Ramrock, it was a nice easy downhill into Woody Gap, a major parking area and trail crossing. A couple and their grandkids were providing trail magic in the form of pop, cookies and candy. I indulged in a couple of cookies to supplement my lunch and Crumpet and I set up on comfy benches in the sun to eat, while airing out our feet and sun drying socks and shoes. After lunch there was nothing else to do but head uphill again, summiting Big Cedar Mtn at 3737 feet. It was a steep uphill climb, but again the views made it worth it, as well as knowing that it was going to be a 2 mile roller downhill all the way to Lance Creek. What an interesting area. The creek runs between two hills (steep, and big) and there is camping there for supposedly 4 tents. However, everywhere the eye could see, tents were perched on not so flat spots, hammocks hung on hillsides and people everywhere. There had to be at least 50 people here tonight. We walked in quite a ways and found ourselves in a flat area that already had 6 tents pitched, wall to wall. There was one spot left, which Crumpet took, and I headed down a small incline to two perfect hammock trees. I just needed to be careful when I stepped out, not to slide right down hill!! Our area was populated by a couple in their late 50's and a handful of young women, all out hiking alone, or with a friend or with a dog. We all got along well, and conversed over dinner. One even was carrying a ukelele and played for us. Her trail name has become "Ukelady". Very apropos. All had masters degrees, and were out hiking for a variety of reasons. In spite of all the people and conversations echoing off the hillsides, when dark fell, everyone went to bed. It was 8 pm. I slept the best yet on the trail, comforted by being surrounded by all sorts of people. Tomorrow we take on the challenge of Blood Mountain,4457 feet!! Weather has improved, sunny and 65 ish. Hiking in short sleeves.