Total trail mileage: 965.4
Starting location: Hogwallow Gap
Ending location: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Weather: hazy and humid all day, 72-82 degrees during the day
I am at
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=38.888186,+-78.082125
I FINALLY SAW A BEAR TODAY! It was my last day in Shenandoah too.
About a half hour after my dad dropped me off at the trailhead, I
passed two hikers headed southbound. I thought for sure they would
have scared off any bears, and I could also see the road down the
hill. But, I was looking anyway and when I looked uphill I saw the
bear standing there and not moving. He was just watching me. So,
either he wasn't afraid, or he was hoping that I didn't see him. I
did get a few pictures, but with my other camera so I can't upload
them right now. I knew putting a few honey packets from breakfast
into my pack would help :P
As I said, this was my last day in Shenandoah. Literally the first
step I took over the park border was on a rocky trail. It is like
they put up a sign that said, "Dear Thruhiker, Your vacation is now
over. You are done with the easy trail, daily restaurants, and
frequent options for showers. Thank-you for visiting." It did get a
little smoother as I progressed, but that initial transition from park
to outside the park was rather drastic.
Where did all the thruhikers go? I saw three (Ken, Wait and See, and
Wazi) during the entire park and 0 today. I thought for sure a number
of people would catch up as I wasn't exactly cruising during this
section. Did something happen in Waynesboro that I am unaware of?
Today was hot and humid. So much for taking a shower this morning. I
am already dirty again. How does the temperatures change so quickly?
Today was hot, yesterday was cold, the previous day was hot, and the
one before that was cold. It is much easier to deal with the weather
when it is consistent.
I got to the shelter early today. I was going to continue, but this
shelter is nice! It has a cooking pavilion, patio, chairs, skylight,
and even a solar shower. The shower isn't all that warm right now,
but it is better than the streams so I rinsed off my arms and legs. I
decided to stay here tonight, go to bed early (I didn't get enough
sleep the last two nights), and get up early. Since nobody else
showed up, I set up my hammock in the shelter.
The plan is to shoot for a 25 mile day tomorrow. If I make it I will
likely be home Monday night. If not, I'll be home Tuesday night.
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