Date: 2018-04-30
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

Brutal! I could stop there, but I guess you are looking for more details. Each day before we set out on our hike, we discuss where we want to try to end the day. Sometimes we have a regular goal and a stretch goal (time permitting and we are feeling it). Today our stretch goal was Woods Hole Hostel. The elevation profile between Jenny¢s Knob Shelter and the road looked pretty tame, other than the final climb up Sugar Run Mountain. But the elevation profile rarely tells the whole story. The big three omissions are rocks, roots, and mud (add snow and ice in the winter). You guessed it, we hiked through, over, and around all three.It was an early and cool start out of Jenny Knob Shelter. After an initial descent followed by a moderate climb, we hiked along a ridge for most of the morning. Ridge lines look nice from a distance, but we have learned to associate them with rocks, as that¢s usually what you get at the top. While this ridge had its share of rocky terrain, we have certainly encountered worse. So we steadily hiked our way along the ridge, with views to adjacent ridge lines and the green farmland below. One thing was notably different about the distant mountains, they were no longer just shades of brown. At least below 3,000¢ the mountains were clothed in light greens, yellows, and reds. Spring was finally taking hold. About five miles into the hike we emerged from the woods into a colorful pasture with lush green grass, yellow budded trees, and an assortment of wild flowers. Then, just as the trail was joining a wide river and dropping to a road below, I received a text from Heartburn. He informed us that he made a detour to Trent¢s Grocery, a country store that could be accessed from the upcoming road crossing. He also attached a pic of the wall menu. Thanks for tempting us, Heartburn! Never letting the opportunity to take in calories pass us by, we crossed the road, stashed our packs, and walked a half mile down to the country store and grill. As we walked, we called in an order for BBQ sandwiches and fries, which were nearly ready when we arrived. Never mind that it was not even lunch time yet. The owner gave us a lift back up the hill and we were back to hiking within 45 minutes from when we dropped our packs. Heartburn and a hiker named Hip Cat, a retired teacher, went to the trail on the south side of the road to retrieve their packs as we went to the north side to grab our packs. It is the last time we them for saw them the rest of the day.The trail here was still wet and muddy from all of the recent rain. Throw in some roots and it made for slow going. Soon the trail was winding along above Dismal Creek. For the next several miles, we were hiking through Rhododendron tunnels just above the clear, swift running creek. The trail here was good except for the occasional mud bog to work around. The path crossed over multiple streams along the way. About 11 miles into our hike we stopped to soak our feet in one of the ice-cold streams. A few miles later we entered into a strand of tall, scantily clothed pine trees, where the sun beamed through, making it a bit warm. There were lots of roots through this stretch. Somewhere along there we ran into Poe, Savage and Spartacus (their dog). The last time we had seen them was at Overmountain Shelter. Soon we passed the Wapiti Shelter, marking the beginning of the 1,500¢ climb up Sugar Loaf Mountain. No switchbacks here. Instead, the trail we went straight up the mountain in what could easily be mistaken for a creek bed. Undeterred, we put our heads down, drove our poles into the rocky terrain, and worked the hill (work the hill or let the hill work you). After about a mile, with the steepest part of the climb behind us, we stopped at a small stream to water up. We caught up with Butter Knife there, the first we had seen her since the shelter this morning. She asked if we were stopping at the tent site at the top. I responded, ¢I think we might go all the way (to Woods Hole).¢ She decided to join in on the "fun". Within a half mile we were up on the ridge, where the trail softened considerably and the incline became very manageable. What, no rocks on the ridge? Just what the trail doctor ordered. It was about 5PM now and we were only five miles from Woods Hole Hostel, an AT icon. I called the hostel and found out that there were beds available at the bunkhouse and that dinner was at 7PM. We made the decision to press on. The next two miles were fairly easy going and we were feeling good about our decision. Then came the descent, which was filled with rocks of all shapes and sizes. Already exhausted from 19 miles of hiking (if you count the half mile down to Trent¢s Grocery), the descent was very difficult to navigate. Our feet took the brunt of the beating coming down. In a word, it was BRUTAL.By the time we reached the gravel road leading to Woods Hole it was 6:45 and we were whipped. With dinner at 7, there was no time to feel sorry for ourselves and we made the 1/2 mile hike down in 10 minutes. That is another .5 that doesn¢t count in our daily A.T. total. Needless to say, Woods Hole was a sight for sore eyes, and sore everything else too. This place is very eclectic and the setting is great. More on Woods Hole tomorrow. I¢m ending this post on a positive note¢delicious dinner, homemade ice cream, shower and a bed to sleep in. Life is sometimes brutal on the AT, but it is always good!Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:               Weather:Ascent ~ 3,870                  Day ¢ 65 degrees / SunnyDescent ~ 3,180               Night ¢ 40 degrees / ClearGrade ~ 6.1Over the Horizon: McAfee¢s Knob