Date: 2018-10-21
From: Frazier Discovery Trail Junction

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Around 11:30 last night rain or sleet pounded the tent. The wind was fierce in the treetops but I was somewhat protected from any direct wind. The rain lasted a half hour. This morning it was cold and windy. Checking AccuWeather there was a high wind warning overnight until 8 a.m. this morning. I used the alcohol stove to heat my tent multiple times. I retrieved my food bag and placed it on my sleeping bag only to find it and the contents wet. All food inside was sealed so no damage but now a wet area on my sleeping bag. On the trail at 7:15. It wasn't too far to a side trail that read .5 to Loft Mountain Wayside. The book says it serves breakfast so I went down. Unfortunately a sign on the door said it didn't open until 9. So, back to the trail. The trail went on the east side of the ridge out of the wind. I took a break and enjoyed the morning sunshine. After continuing on the trail it crossed the ridge and remained on the west side most of the day. It would be a cold and windy hike on that side. I was surprised to see so many day hikers especially those heading up to the open summit of Blackrock Mountain. It was cold! The trail was well graded and beautiful again today. The leaves were changing to a yellow. I only saw one maple tree displaying red leaves. Like yesterday, the trail would climb a mountain then drop to a gap then repeat. Sometimes the trail would lead me through a vista along Skyline Drive. Near the end of the park the trail followed along a stream before a steep climb out. I saw no indication of the southern boundary of the park but the deterioration of the trail indicated I crossed the boundary. The excellent trail in the park spoiled me. Now it's back to rocks, roots, steep climbs and descents. Climbing up Calf Mountain I could feel the temperature drop. The winds continued. At 6:10 I reached the trail to the shelter which was .3 off the AT. At .2 on the side trail was a piped spring. How nice to get water before the shelter and carry it to the camp instead of getting to the shelter and hiking down the mountain for water. I've done that too many times. I didn't expect anyone at the shelter but I could smell smoke as I got close. Three older guys were in the shelter who are heading north doing 80 miles. Also there was Tag Along section hiking and waiting for a friend to come in. I got my tent up quickly. It was cold and windy. Tonight is to be in the 20's. I went back to the shelter to talk to the guys a bit. I showed Tag Along how to drop the rain fly along the sides of the tent to keep the wind and cold out. Then I went back to my tent. I used my stove to heat the inside until I got situated. I'm prepared for a cold night though I'll be toasty in my sleeping bag. How to get up and going in the morning remains to be seen. But I've done it before. Plus I have an incentive: Clark will meet me in 8 miles to take me into Waynesboro. Tonight I'll be dreaming about eating hot town food and drinking a hot coffee. Yesterday I passed a milestone: I'm now under 900 miles left to hike. As of tonight I've hiked 1,320 miles with 870 to go.