Date: 2005-04-03
From: Craig Creek Valley, Rt. 621

To: Sarver Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Don¢t ever underestimate luck in planning an AT hike.Laurine and I spent a week of Spring break vacationing in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, arriving in Christiansburg, VA for a church friend's wedding. The timing was fortuitous with the wedding occurring at the end of our week off and located near a missing AT segment for me ¢ Craig Creek Valley-toPearisburg. During our week, we our truly nice weather was limited to one day spent at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Otherwise, we had (take your pick) heat & humidity, heavy rains, strong winds, or a combination. The rains were omnipresent over the entire Eastern half of the US for 3 days including the wedding weekend. Sunday morning dawned clear and sunny but extremely windy and cold. Snow could be seen in the distant mountains from Blacksburg. So naturally, our church friends who were also wedding guests and patently non-hikers doubted my sanity for starting out in these conditions. My predictable response: ¢better a day like this than 20 degrees warmer with rain. Besides, I hiked in the snow near here a month ago so this is nothing!¢ So our plan proceeded as Laurine went home with some friends while I took off to hike.I had made reservations for a shuttle with Brenda at the Rendezvous but she didn¢t remember. However, she was available so off we went and on Rt. 621 in the Craig Creek Valley encountered the first challenge of this trip: the winds had blown a tree down across the road. We were the first to arrive but other vehicles soon appeared on both sides. The first was a preacher and his wife. As others arrived, he remarked that we had enough for a church service. I quoted to him ¢..where 2 or more are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them.¢ He was impressed ¢ I guess he didn¢t take me for a church person.Brenda was surprised that all these pickups had arrived and none with a chain saw. However, a Ford pulled up with a driver who had a heavy chain. 2 pulls proved sufficient to draw the tree half-way off. He then produced a hand saw and ax which we used (I wielded the saw) to sever all but the thickest limbs & trunk. Finally someone with a chain saw arrived and the work was done. Brenda took photos and said she¢d submit them to the local paper.The subaru in the trailhead parking lot was the identical color of Scarf¢s but it sported Maryland license plates and furthermore was a product of the same dealer where I had bought mine. So someone else is on the Trail ¢ good for company.So the hike began at 12:53 PM under what had become ideal weather conditions. The winds made for cool spells but the brilliant sunshine was illuminating in more ways than one. Despite a lingering head cold (frustratingly now in its 4th week) which had prevented me from working out, the initial ascent was enjoyable. Hiking up the east slope sheltered me from the wind. With good footing, surprisingly dry ground (notwithstanding all the last 2 days rain), and interesting surroundings of open pine forest and laurel bushes, this hike¢s off to a good start. At Niday Shelter, I met the subaru¢s owner, a college student from Virginia Tech. He spent last night here with his books and is leaving today. Of course the winds hit me at the Sinking Creek Mountain ridgeline but the views out both sides ¢ Craig Creek Valley on the left, Sinking Creek Valley on the right ¢ were rewarding. Some of the ridge top featured large lichen-covered boulders reminiscent of New York from the NJ line through Harriman Park but a few rocky stretches reminded me of Pennsylvania; on the latter, I walked slowly since I¢m not very nimble-footed. With the nice views and sunshine along with the just-begun Daylight Savings Time, I was in no hurry. I reached the side trail to Sarver Shelter at 4:36. Northern Harrier had warned me how the shelter was .3 mile steeply downhill. But the shelter was impressive with its large porch and a ceiling high enough to stand in. Also a good water source.Felt good hiking today. Despite this head cold and a nearly 2,000 foot ascent to start, this day was rewarding. So satisfying to return to the AT!