Date: 2014-09-04
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

When I woke this morning it was light outside. Wow, I had slept past 7. The rain had stopped and there was a barred owl hooting. I made some coffee and relaxed in my sleeping bag. I was in no because I had a short day planned of 12.5 miles to Muskrat Creek Shelter. I packed and left about 8: 30 I had only one major obstacle today. Standing Indian Mountain at 5,500 ft tall, it would be the last time I would be over 5,000 to the end of my hike. I began by descending 300 ft into the clouds and Coleman Gap. The next 4 miles were pretty much all uphill. I climbed out of the clouds, but the sun never came out. This was actually a good thing as it kept the temperature cooler. Thunderstorms were predicted again and I wanted to get to the shelter early enough to avoid them if possible. There were a few spots near the summit of the mountain for viewing, but the visibility was maybe 500 ft. I stopped long enough for a snack and headed down towards Deep Gap. I passed two guys on the way. The first wanted to talk so I spent maybe 10 minutes talking and continued downhill. The second, I saw just 10 minutes later and he wasn't interested in talking but mentioned his father was behind him. I found his father at the intersection of the trail leading to Standing Indian Shelter. He looked confused and dropped his hiking sticks. I ask if everything was O K. He didn't know which way was north. I said it that way, pointing behind me. I could tell he still wasn't sure. I said I am heading south and south is this way, pointing downhill. I said it not that way, that is blue blazed, it goes to the shelter. He yes, that way is also blue blazed. I said I guess that it the way to the stream. Look, I said, are you hiking with your son? He said yes, I am. I said I passed him 15 minutes ago and he was going uphill. I think you want to go uphill. I hiked on and noticed him taking off his pack as I walked down the hill. I hope he finds his son before the storms come. When I arrived at Deep Gap, there were two cars in the parking lot but no one was there. I noticed 4 trash cans so I emptied my trash. It was uphill for a while and the temperature was rising. I looked at my guide for the next water and there were two between where I was and the shelter. They were both too little for me to get water from. I headed on to the shelter passing Water oak gap, White Oak Stamp and the Chunky Gal trail. I made it to the shelter before the rain and hung my pack and went straight to the stream for water. I ate some tuna and corn chips and it began to rain. A guy came in and I ask if there were others. He said two. Looks as if I'll have company tonight. It continued to rain and in 15 minutes or so, the others came in. They were happy to be done and out of the rain. They had been on the trail for a week and were heading north. We spent the evening talking about the trail and food. The rain quit for a while and then started back just as it was getting dark. We were all in bed by 8:30. For the second straight night, I fell asleep to the sound of rain on a tin roof. Today I am grateful for all of the good people that I would have never met if I had not ventured out on this journey.