Date: 2014-07-01
From: Cove Mt Shelter

To: 1158 Campsite
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Warm night but did have to get into my liner. Up at 6:10 and had my cheerios and mixture for breakfast. Started out but forgot my water bottle. Got on the trail at 7:20 again 1 hour to leave camp.Initially the trail was smooth with some rocks. At the junction of an old trail I missed the double blazes and ended up going up a road. Backtracked and found the trail. The trail did become more rocky so it was slow going especially down hill. Arriving at PA 224 the trail is on the sidewalk and in the street. There was a detour and rerouting due to a new bridge building.Arrived in Duncannon at 9 so the Doyle was closed. It appears like a very old building. Got breakfast at Goodie's of an omelet. Filled my water bottles. Stopped by the bank to see if they would cash travelers checks. Same response as before, sorry no.Headed out on Main St. then realized this was not the trail. Returned to the Doyle and took the right up to the next street. Stopped at the mini market and got 2 qts of Gatorade to supplement my water. Finally got started at 10:20. Trail went down a residential street, typical of PA towns. Quite a few homes for sale. Crossed the Juanita River then the longer bridge over the Susquehana River. The trail crossed the railroad then returned to the woods with a major climb of 700' in 2 miles on a rocky trail. Slow going up also it was a very warm day in the 80s. Was passed by a young high school day hiker who offered me water. I said no but we met later and I accepted the water. We hiked together until I got to the junction of the Clarks Ferry Shelter at 12:35. Had lunch at the shelter of tuna salad and an apple. About 1 Obsidian arrived. He stayed at the Doyle which he said was old and a little dirty. I decided to get water before heading out. We discussed getting to the campsite. I left at 1:30 and the trail was moderately rocky. At Table Rock I met a couple of rock climbers. On the way to the shelter I passed some older section hikers who were looking tired. I also passed 2 SOBO hikers but they looked like day hikers. Later at the shelter I read where they were First aid and Tent Maker who I had met on my March practice hike. Got to Peters Mt Shelter at 4:45. Just Terry and Rod and Reel were there for the nite. Just Terry stayed 2 days at Duncannon at the campground. It had been thundering in the distance but I decided to go to the 5 miles to the campsite. May not be the best decision if it rains. The trail was moderately rocky. I was very hot and it was probably 85 degrees. The heat was getting me tired. Past 2 girls tenting for the night but my campsite was 2 1/2 mile further. Noticed my right heel was getting a blister in the same spot as when I was in the Smokies. It probably due to the twisting motions on the rocks or the heat. I put my rain cover on after it started to sprinkle. The last mile was hard. Arrived at the campsite at mile 1158. There was another hiker there. Started dinner of terakki noodles and tuna. I had 1 qt of water that needs to be filtered. I went thru about 4 liters of water today. Had some difficulty finding a strong limb for bear bagging. Took me about 15 mins to get a good bear bag. Worked on my blister and journaled. Could be a warm night.