Date: 2018-04-15
From: Dennis Cove Road - Black Bear Resort

To: Shook Branch Recreation Area - Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 8.5

The forecast called for thunderstorms and heavy rain, turning to snow in the evening. The next three shelters north of Dennis Cove Road are 2, 9, and 18 miles away. The middle shelter (at Watauga Lake) is closed due to aggressive bear activity. For the same reason, no tenting is allowed in the 9 mile area between Watauga Lake and the third shelter. We did not want to attempt the 18 miles to the third shelter in stormy weather, so we decided to hike from Black Bear Resort to Watauga Lake and catch a shuttle back to the safety of our cabin for the night. As a stretch goal, we could hike 5 miles further to Wilbur Dam Road (a total of 13 miles), setting us up nicely for Damascus. Mel and Heartburn hiked out with us at 7AM. Happy Feet was still not feeling well, so she and Finn remained at the cabin. It was about 7:30 by the time we walked the .4 mikes back to the trailhead and commenced our stretching routine. Spamtown Rick passed us by as we were stretching. He said he was going to try to make it the 18 miles to the third shelter. A short distance into the hike we crossed a foot bridge over Laurel fork, which was moving at a torrent in the steeper terrain. The path followed along the river for a bit. Then Laurel Fork turned away from the trail, plunging into a deep canyon. The AT followed a different path into the canyon as we walked down stone steps for about 1/2 mile or so. At the bottom of the canyon the trail led right up to the impressive Laurel Falls and then ran adjacent to the river, which was now crashing its way down the canyon. For a stretch we were walking on a cut in a cliff wall, as the river raged just below us. It was awesome! We crossed Laurel Fork on a footbridge two more times before the trail exited the canyon, climbing 1,800 feet to the top. As we hiked up, the rain picked up in intensity and we picked up the pace. At the top we all stopped for a snack and filtered water. Spamtown Rick was leaving just as we arrived, but not before I told him of our plans to shuttle back to Black Bear Resort. WW and I took off as Heartburn and Mel continued to break. The plan was to meet at the lake and make a decision on whether or not to continue to Wilbur Dam Road.Soon after we started hiking again, the rain picked up in intensity. It wasn¢t long before we were all soaked to the bone. With about a mile to go I raced ahead of WW so that I could try to bring up the radar on my phone. About .4 miles from the lake there was a trail intersection and a sign with maps and area information. A dog house sized roof covered the sign. Standing under the tiny pavilion seeking refuge from the cold hard rain was Spamtown Rick. I joined him and pulled up the radar. We were on the leading edge of a lot of heavy rain (reds and yellows on the radar map). Rick was now interested in hearing more about our plans. WW, Heartburn and Mel soon arrived. Now there were five shivering bodies taking cover in this tiny space. I showed all of them the radar and it took about three seconds to make a collective decision that we were going no further than Watauga Lake. I got Bob, our shuttle driver and owner of Black Bear Resort on the phone and summoned him to pick us up at the Shook Recreation Area, where there was a real pavilion we could wait under. Bob arrived within a few minutes with Finn riding shotgun in his van. The rest of us piled into the back of the van and Bob drove us to Food City for resupply and something hot from the deli. The ever-accommodating Bob, mentioned that there was a grill that we could use at the ¢Big House¢ if we wanted to get some steaks. We walked out of Food City with NY Strips, T-bones, baking potatoes, salads, etc. We would feast tonight! There was just one thing Bob needed to do... clear it with Mary Lee, business partner and wife. Bob informed us that he was just the ¢shuttleologist¢ and Mary Lee and their daughter, Stephanie, take care of reservations, finances, etc. In other words, Bob just does as he is told and leaves the decision making to Mary Lee. When the van pulled up to the camp store/office, Mary Lee stepped out with a list of instructions for Bob. I think he was gone a little too long for her liking. Uh-oh, bad timing. Undeterred, Bob asked Mary Lee if anyone was staying in the Big House (he already knew the answer) and if the occupants in the back of the van could use it to grill our steaks. I added a please from the back seat. She gave Bob THE LOOK and reluctantly agreed, adding that we needed to clean up after ourselves. We all (Bob included) sounded off with a ¢Yes Ma¢am.¢ Bob wasted no time throwing the van in reverse as he continued to agree to do more chores that Mary Lee was barking at him as we were backing up. As we pulled away, I said, ¢You really took one for the team there Bob.¢ He responded, ¢You bet I did.¢ It was a short drive up the hill to the big house. The plan was to put all the food inside, get cleaned up and put on dry clothes at the shower house, do other hiker chores in our tiny cabin, then come back later to fix our steak dinner at the Big House. When we got inside, Bob was happily showing off the place, even firing up the wood-burning stove. A gas grill was located under cover on a huge deck out back. The Big House had four bedrooms with six beds, two bathrooms, a huge kitchen-dining area, a cozy den with a TV, and its very own washer and dryer. It wasn¢t long before the question came up about renting the place for the night. Bob said that it was $195 a night, but we would have to clear it with Mary Lee. It did not take long for us to do the math and realize that for a few extra bucks each, we could be staying in the Big House tonight, with all of its extra comfort and convenience. I told Bob I would handle this one if it was okay with him. He quickly nodded, yes. Within 45 seconds I had sprinted back down the hill through the pouring rain and was standing before Mary Lee, shivering and dripping wet. Putting on my thick KenTexan accent I said, ¢Mary Lee, if it would work out for you we would like to rent the big house for the night...we can be out of our cabin in 15 minutes, freeing it up for other needy hikers.¢ Mary Lee, being both a smart business woman and a kind person, agreed. I said thanks and headed back out the door. As I raced back up the hill with the great news I saw Spirit Man coming in...¢We will have to recruit him.¢ A few hours later, the eight of us were clean, dry, and chowing down on a delicious steak dinner. I volunteered to be the grill master and was thankful that the perfectly seasoned steaks turned out to everyone¢s liking. One person said, ¢This is better than the breakfast at Mountain Harbor.¢ Finn added, ¢This is the best meal I have had since we started our hike.¢ After dinner, we finished a game of golf (cards) we started earlier. Then a few of us played rummy while the others watched a movie until well past hikers midnight. It was a great opportunity to draw closer to our Tramily. For a night, we all lived like Kings and Queens, in The Big House!Peace and Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:                  Weather:Ascent ~ 2,160                    Day ¢ 67 degrees / Heavy RainDescent ~ 2,700                  Night ¢ 53 degrees / ClearGrade ~ 10.6Over the Horizon: Damascus, VA