morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Stoney Creek Valley (VA 635) 

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

Section Hike 08-22C, Stoney Creek Valley (VA 635) to War Spur Shelter.One very short day hike.Day 1 of a two day hike, total of 14.2 miles, northbound.   Wednesday, 14 May 2008 - Senator Shumate Bridge, east end to Stilhouse Branch Road, VA 641. - This was a very short hike of 1.7 miles. It was a part of the trail that was near our campground. Judy took me to the start and I hiked back to the end where she picked me up. The whole hike took me about forty-five minutes, but it was still a part of the AT I had not hiked. As is our routine, Judy hiked back to meet me and we returned to the RV.   Friday, 16 May 2008 - Stony Creek (VA 635) to War Spur Shelter. - This would be my last section hike until September 2008. We returned to Florida for a family wedding and then I took a trip with my son to Alaska in June. Judy's Dad was in failing health and we stayed in Florida from July to the first of September. Sadly, her Dad passed away one week short of his 101st birthday in August.   This was day one of a two day hike. It would be 12.4 miles. Day 2 is reported in the next journal. I started with a good climb, but on a good path. I had to watch my step as the side of ridge was at a very severe angle down to the forest floor. It was not dangerous, but if you slipped off the trail, you would tumble until you could grab onto a small tree on the slope. The hard part would be getting back up to the trail.   Arrived at Bailey Gap Shelter. Signed in on the trail register and read the comments. Many tell about the dryness of the trail at this time of the year. I am not concerned because I have enough water to get me to the next shelter. The trail is getting rocky again. The skies have gotten very dark and I can feel a light sprinkle of rain, but it is brief. Wind is blowing hard and making a lot of noise. When the wind blows in the forest, beware of falling dead limbs.   About 5.4 miles into my hike, I come to Wind Rock. Wind Rock is a favorite place for the local community. It has a good gravel road up to the rock outcropping where you can get an outstanding view of Stony Creek Valley. Nice spot for a picnic, rest stop or to camp overnight.   I have been walking along a nice ridge and see several white tail deer. The deer are use to the hikers and just look up and do not run off. Reach War Spur Shelter, my home for the night. There is water here and so I refill my water bottles. It is mid afternoon, so I read and relax. Later, two other Thru-Hikers arrive and stay overnight in the shelter.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sinking Creek Valley (VA 42)
Miles today: 8.2

Section Hike 08-22D, War Spur Shelter to Sinking Creek Valley (VA 42).Day two of this section hike, 8.2 miles, northbound.   Saturday, 17 May 2008 - Its a beautiful morning and I am the first hiker up and on my way. The morning is a little cold but the hike is starting to warm me up. My hike this morning is in a wide open forest along a nice stream. Soon the sun breaks over the ridge line and I shed my jacket. A gravel road leads me to Rocky Gap which is crossed by VA 601, a gravel road. Rocky Gap was a challenge with a good climb on a very rocky path. I guess that is why they call it Rocky Gap. The view off to the left must be excellent in the winter when the trees have dropped all their leaves. I can feel a nice cool breeze in my face and it is very refreshing.   Rounding a bend in the trail, I spot a small cooler that someone has left beside the trail. Trail Magic is alive and well, even this late in the summer. Most of the Trail Magic comes to the trail earlier in the year when most of the Thur-Hikers are on this part of the trail. Its nice to think that someone has thought of all of us section hikers.    I come to a large rock outcropping with great views. This is Kelly's Knob and it has a sweeping view of Sinking Creek Valley. I sit and have my lunch and relax for about half an hour, then continue towards my pick up point. Reach a blue blaze trail to the left where I see Laurel Creek Shelter about 100 feet away. Lot of mountain laurel all around the shelter and a nice stream flowing near the shelter. The mountain stream has several nice pools where I am sure many hikers have dipped into at the end of a day. The Trail Register comments reflect the good feelings of being cool, clean and comfortable in a nice shelter.   Continue on the trail to my pick up point and see Judy coming up to meet me. This always gives me a burst of energy and a happy feeling. It has only been two days since I saw her, but I am always pleased to see her at the end of even a short hike. We cross over four stiles on the way back to the car. One stile warns of an electrified fence under the stile. Cross a couple of pastures, one with a couple of burros. Make our way by a barn, down the pasture to the car. Thus ends this part of my hiking until we return in September.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Punchbowl Mountain Crossing (BRP 51.7).

To: James River (US 501).
Miles today: 11.1

Section Hike 08-28B, Punchbowl Mountain Crossing (BRP 51.7) to James River (US 501), Day Hike, 11.1 Miles, Southbound.   Sunday, 29 June 2008 - Returned to the AT after a month and a half in Florida and Alaska. Its good to be back on the trail again. I know I will be a bit tired when I finish my 11.1 mile hike today, but it will still be very enjoyable to hike in the forest and along the ridges. After leaving Punchbowl Mountain Crossing, I start an uphill trek. Arrive at the Blue Blaze side trail leading to Punchbowl Shelter, I don't need water or a rest stop, so I continue south on the trail.   As I am hiking along the trail after leaving the side trail to the shelter, I hear female voices ahead. It sounds like there are more than a couple of hikers ahead. Then I come upon a large group of young teeage girls resting along the trail. They are talking up a storm and very cheerful. The girls were from a Hiking Club from Roanoke. During the course of my day hike, I passed a couple, father and daughter, two brothers and a solo lady, all headed northbound.   Reached the wooded summit of Punchbowl Mountain, but there is no view with the heavy tree growth. Continue down into a small gap and then back up to the summit of Bluff Mountain. At the summit there is the remains of an old radio tower, only the foundation blocks. I take a break and this time I can enjoy the valley view. Descend to Salt Log Gap on a rocky path and over to Saddle Gap. Saddle Gap is a natural amphitheater with ridges surround the gap and you can actually faintly hear the thumping of your feet on the trail as the sounds echo off the sides of the ridges.   Stopped for lunch and sat on a rock outcropping to enjoy the view. The trail is still very rocky so I take my time. My hiking poles have saved me yet another time as I trip and catch myself from falling. Seems each time I hike, my hiking poles keep me from falling or tripping. Have not seen any wildlife so far. Heard and saw a lot birds and squirrels, but no deer.   Another good view off Fullers Rocks. This outcrop has a scary drop off, so I keep my distance and don't get too close to the edge. Begin a descent of 1410 feet to Johns Hollow Shelter. Descent is easy with the help of twenty-one switchbacks. I don't really count the switchbacks, the Guide Book said there were twenty-one. Trail varies from rocky to level to rocky again. The common physical element is the very steep sides off the ridge.    Take a break at John Hollow Shelter and sign the Trail Register. It is always enjoyable to read the different comments in the register from passing hikers. Leave the shelter and then cross Cashaw Creek. This time of the year, the smaller creeks and spring start to go dry. Cashaw Creek has a good flow of water and a nice bridge to cross over the creek. At the end of my hike at the James River and on US 501, there is a long foot bridge. However, my pick up point is on the east side of the river, so I will cross the foot bridge on a future hike.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Petites Gap (BRD 71.0)

To: US 501 Foot Bridge on James River. 
Miles today: 10.3

Section Hike 08-27A, Petites Gap (BRP 71.0) to US 501 Foot Bridge on James River, Day Hike, 10.3 Miles, Northbound.   Tuesday, 1 July 2008 - Up on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the morning is beautiful. The views off the Parkway and AT are something to see with the hanging cloud banks over the valley and ridges. Today I will be hiking through the James River Face Wilderness area and into the Jefferson National Forest. There is an immediate climb up to Archie's Notch. This area was named for a bear hunter named Archibald. He was a bit of a hermit and had a cabin just off the AT, before the AT was a trail. The climb is easy and the temps have cooled down to 61 degrees, so I start with a windbreaker.   The ridge that I am hiking goes up to Highcock Knob, a rocky and wooded summit. I got a good view and the day is clear. Then I have a descent of 700 feet to an open area sag. In the sag there use to be a shelter, Marble Spring Shelter. The shelter got damaged in a snow storm so it was removed. The level area where the shelter was located is now a nice campsite with Marble Springs just 110 yards down the trail.   Headed back up again and have to shed my windbreaker. I will have several climbs and descents today, but that is normal. Reaching the ridge crest, I hike along the ridge for a while. The trail changes from rocky to flat pine needles matted back to rocky. Descending down with the help of nine switchbacks to the forest floor and the temps have warmed up more. Big Cove Branch is ahead and listed as a water source, but the branch is almost dry. Matts Creek is just about two miles away and if it has water, I will wash my face and cool down.   Now I can hear Matts Creek, so I pick up my pace. The Matts Creek Shelter is by the creek, so I stop, wash my face, and sign the Trail Register. Signing the Trail Register is a good way to keep track of your hiking. It serves as a record of where you were on the trail in case something happens. Trail follows Matts Creek towards James River. Along the way there are many pools that invite the hiker to go for a dip and cool down.    While still high on the ridge, I can see the James River below. Its a large river and not a stream or creek. The trail takes me down through a nice cool forest of hemlocks and pines. Then as I come out of the forest, I see the long foot bridge across the James River, longest foot bridge on the AT.    A young man is posed on the bridge railing about to jump into the water forty feet below. I ask him to wait so I can take his picture. He waits and then when I am ready, he jumps off the bridge. There are several other people watching the jump. I can see Judy walking on the bridge towards me, so we meet half way and return to our car.    On a sad note, at the far end of the bridge is a wooden cross in memory of a young man, Travis Farren, who died three days earlier. While the cause of his death is not known, I feel that it had something to do with the bridge.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Parkers Gap Road (USFS 812).

To: Petites Gap (BRP 71.0)
Miles today: 7.3

Section Hike 08-27B, Parkers Gap (USFS 812) to Petites Gap (BRP 71.0).Day Hike, 7.3 Miles, Northbound.   Thursday, 3 July 2008 - Another day hike, but only 7.3 miles. I have been hiking all the sections along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but sometimes I go south and sometimes I go north. It depends on which direction gives me less elevation change. Judy dropped me off at Parkers Gap, also known as Apple Orchard Falls Trail, just off the Parkway at mile marker 71.0. I start with a climb of 800 feet to Apple Orchard Mountain.    Reaching the summit of Apple Orchard Mountain, I have a nice view from an area near the Air Traffic Control Radar at the top of the mountain. There is a nice grassy bald on top and the view is clear. After enjoying the view, I start a descent on about a hundred rock steps. The rock steps, placed in the trail by volunteers, makes the descent easy.   The trail becomes very rocky and I am in an area filled with house size rocks on both side of the AT. Soon I come upon "The Guillotine", two huge rocks straddling the trail with a third large boulder wedged on top. The trail passes right under the hanging rock. I am sure most of the hikers pause before passing under the hanging rock. Someone estimated that the hanging rock has been wedge on top of the other two rocks for over a million years.   Cross the Parkway and meet a group of fifteen young hikers going south. Everyone is having a good time. The group has been on the trail for a week and will finish up in two days. I come to Thunder Hill Shelter and briefly stop. This would be a great place to spend the night. There is a southbound hiker at the shelter taking a break. We chat and then go our separate ways. Now I am crossing the Parkway for the second time and headed for Thunder Ridge Overlook. This overlook provides a nice view of the James River and the Allegheny Mountains to the west.    After leaving the overlook, I ascend to the wooded summit of Thunder Ridge. Here again I find a lot of big boulders and the trail alternates from rocky to a nice level path. I start a downward trek and arrive at an intermittent spring. There is barely any water flowing, but a hiker could pool the water up and get his or her water bottles filled. Coming to the end of my day hike, I see Judy walking back to me on the trail. We take a short break and then head down to the end of the hike and the road.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Parkers Gap Road (BRP 78.4).

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Section Hike 08-29, Parkers Gap Road (BRP 78.4) to Bryant Ridge Shelter.Two Day Section Hike, Day 1, 7.7 Miles, Southbound.   Monday, 7 July 2008 - Back at Parkers Gap Road (Apple Orchard Falls Trail) at BRP 78.4. Headed south this time to take advantage of a better elevation profile. I will spend the night at Bryant Ridge Shelter. Chance of rain today, but not until later in the day. The trail will wander in a rolling fashion, but with no steep climbs. I will have a steady and long descent to the shelter at the end of the day.   Stopped at Black Rock, a nice rock outcropping with a view. After a couple of pictures, I moved on down the trail. So far the trail has been mostly matted leafs knocked down by the recent rain storms. Half a mile and I reach the side trail to Cornelius Creek Shelter. I have water, don't need a rest, so I move on. Start my first climb of 500 feet, but it is easy with a gentle slope and switchbacks. The crest is mostly a wooded ridge and there are no views. There are a lot of large boulders and now the trail has become very rocky.    Starting on my long descent to Bryant Ridge Shelter. I have 1500 feet elevation change before I reach the shelter. I meet a Northbound (NB) hiker with the trail name of "Preacher" and he tells me that there has been a forest fire south. He said that the fire was several miles ahead and the trail had been closed for two days, but now it is open again. However, the fire fighters had closed Cove Mountain Shelter. This does not impact my plan as I am stopping at the next shelter.   When I arrive at Bryant Ridge Shelter, I am the only one there. As I was coming to the shelter and was still a mile away, I heard thunder and quicken my step so I would not get wet or have to deal with dodging lightning bolts. Arrive at the shelter and fifteen minutes later the rain starts pouring down. Within thirty minutes, three other hikers arrive, all wet and happy to get out of the wet clothes. Shelter is very nice and reasonably new. There is a large ground floor and a big loft. Everyone cooks a hot meal and we relax and watch it rain, especially now that we are all dry and safe in the shelter. About 9:30 PM, the wind kicks up hard and we can hear dead tree limbs falling. It rained most of the night and I was glad to be warm in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter.

To: Bearwallow Gap (VA 43).
Miles today: 10.1

Section Hike 08-29, Bryant Ridge Shelter to Bearwallow Gap (VA 43).Two Day Section Hike, Day Two, 10.1 Miles, Southbound.   Tuesday, 8 July 2008 - The birds serve as my alarm clock and I am up just as the morming light becomes bright enough so I can see around the shelter. The other hikers are sleeping, so I pack quietly. There is still a slight drizzle, but it feels good. The tree cover will provided me with some protection. However, each time a breeze comes through the trees, I get showered with rain drops off the branches.    Today will be a good workout as I have no less than five ascent and descents of a thousand feet each. I reach the crest of Fork Mountain, the first of my five challenges. Walk along the crest and then descend to Jennings Creek. This is one of the favorite spots for all the hikers. It offers a wonderful pool where the hikers can bath or just soak in the cool water. At the creek, I cross over a highway bridge and there I can see a nice large pool with a small beach. All the hikers talk about getting to Jennings Creek to finally clean up in more than a tiny stream or spring.    Cove Mountain Shelter is just off the trail, but I do not go to the shelter. I can see two hikers still in the shelter and they seem to be asleep. All their gear and some of their clothes are hanging out to dry.    Even before I arrive at the forest fire area, I can smell the smoke and I begin to see evidence of the forest fire. It starts with just a little bit burned along one side of the trail. Then as I continue down the trail, the burnt area gets larger and soon it covers both side of the forest. In some places the smoke is still rising from burned out logs and stumps. What is amazing to me is that the trail is untouched by the fire. Of course, there was nothing to burn on the trail.    I leave the burn area and return to the green surroundings of the forest. The rest of my hike to my pick up point at Bearwallow is an easy trek. I see Judy coming up the trail and I tell her about the forest fire behind me. At this point you can no longer smell the smoke or see the damage. We return to the car by the road and call it a day.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Sinking Creek Valley (VA 42)

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

Section Hike 08-23A, Sinking Creek Valley (VA 42) to Niday Shelter.Three day Hike, Day 1, 9.9 Miles, Northbound.   Friday, 11 July 2008 - Returned to the trail after a trip to Florida and Alaska this summer. Picking up again and headed northbound. I will be doing day hikes whenever I can work out a good road access. It has become hot and humid and on this morning, I start my hiking in the fog. After an hour, the fog starts to lift and thankfully I have been hiking in an open field where there is a lot of light. If I had been hiking in the deep forest, it would have been rather dark.    The trail is wet and when I enter the forest, I am constantly wiping wet spider webs from my face being the first hiker on the trail this morning. Next to the trail, there is a old large oak, Keffer Oak, that is a white oak more than 18 feet round and estimated to be more than 300 years old.    After Keffer Oak, I start a climb of about 1500 feet. Reaching a blue blazed side trail to Sarver Cabin. This is where a number of homesteads were established at one time. There are still several old buildings, but they are in poor condition. The Sarver cabin is also in poor condition, but it is large enough to let four hikers stay overnight, although it is not recommended.   On the crest of Sinking Creek Mountain, I have to do a bit of rock srambling. The rocks are slanting and from the rock ledges I can see some great views of the valley below, but it is hazy. I follow a path along a steep rocky bluff on my left and a valley view, through the trees, on my right. It is warm, but at least I have a nice breeze to keep me cool.    Crossed the Eastern Continental Divide where the water on the west side flows to the Gulf of Mexico (1400 miles away) and the water falling on the east side flows to the Atlantic Ocean (450 miles away).   Arrive at Niday Shelter, my overnight lodging and settle down. I am the first into the shelter, but by five in the afternoon, several more hikers arrive for the night. Tonight I was joined by Eric and Mary, husband and wife, both West Point Graduates. They are out hiking the entire trail before starting new careers after leaving the military. We build a campfire and have a nice social evening.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Niday Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 08-23B, Niday Shelter to Pickle Branch Shelter.Day two, 9.9 Miles, Northbound.   Saturday, 12 July 2008 - Up early with several of the other hikers and out of the shelter. For a change, we all have a descent to Craig Creek Valley and VA 621. An hour later we reach VA 621 and then start our first climb of the day to the top of a crest. Once on top, we follow along a level, but rocky path again. Being on the top of this crest, I call Judy on my cell phone to give her an update on my progress. I always try to contact her once a day if I can make a connection on my cell phone.    Five miles into the hike, I come upon the Audie Murphy Monument just off the AT. There are no signs to alert hikers, but everyone knows that the monument is along the trail. The monument is a nice rock slab with an angled flat surface with a nice description of Audie Murphy's accomplishments. This is the site where Audie Murphy died in an airplace crash in 1972. Its a tradition that hikers pay their respects by placing a small rock on a growing pile of rock near the monument.    As I hike along the trail on a ridge, I hear a noise in the bush and as I look over to brush, I see a bear running up the side of the ridge. The bear stops and looks back at me, then runs off again. I'm glad he went the opposite direction. This is the first bear I have seen this summer. The berries are out, so I am not surprised to see the bear. There are a lot of deer out and everytime I do a hike, I see at least one deer.    My second night is in a shelter again. All the essentials are provided like shelter, privy, water, a picnic table and a fire ring. I am joined again by several of the same hikers who spent last night at Niday. I have my dinner, visit with the hikers and lay down on my sleeping bag and listen to my MP3 Player. Another good end to a day in the woods.