.September 4, 2006
Today is the day to finish the Shennies. After a brief day and a half of nice weather the rain is back. If I didn't know better I would think that Shenandoah National Park was a rain forest. It looks like I will be missing some more views today. Lynn dropped me off at the side trail to Bearfence Hut. Within a few minutes I passed Lewis Mountain Campground. Early this morning I completed my 725th mile which means I have completed 1/3 of the trail. Next I reached the sidetrail for Pocosin Cabin. It was only 55 yards off the trail so I checked it out. It was quite busy so I just snapped a picture and headed off.
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The trail through the park is fairly smooth but there is still a few tough spots like this steep section going up to Bald Face Mountain.
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With a name like Bald Face I was expecting a view but didn't get one. Once again I saw deer today, although I didn't see any right in the trail like previous days.
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I then took the short side trail to South River Picnic Area where I met with Lynn for a few minutes.
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I hopped back on the AT and headed down to Swift Run Gap.
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It was about 4 miles down to the gap and mostly downhill so I ran most of it.
I came out on the Skyline Drive ...
... crossed over Route 33 ...
... and headed up to Hightop Mountain.
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It looked like there would be a great view from the top but the rain and fog rolled in again. I met two hikers at the top. They asked about the nearby shelter. I pulled out my map and showed them where it was. I headed down the mountain on this very smooth trail.
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I went past the sidetrail for the shelter and went through this overgrown area of the trail which soaked my shoes and soaks.
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I then realized I lost my first AT map. It was somewhere between where I was and the summit of Hightop. If I lost it in the overgrown area of the trail I just went through, I probably would never find it. I debated about going back to get it and decided with 7 miles left in the Shennies I could get by without it. I hope someone finds it and puts it to good use. I met Lynn at Smith Roach Gap.
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Deer were everywhere again but they wouldn't stay still long enough today for me to get a clear picture. It was raining pretty hard by now so I rushed to get these last few miles in passing Powell Gap. There was no parking here so Lynn planned to meet me further down.
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Lynn met me one last time at Simmons Gap before picking me up at Pinefield Gap. The 101 trek through Shenandoah National Park is complete.
Summary of Shenandoah National Park
This is the place to see wildlife. I saw 4 bears, 2 cubs, and at least 100 deer. I saw more wildlife in this 101 mile section than in the other 640 AT miles that I have completed so far. Even though it rained almost every day this is still a great place to hike. Lots of small ups and down but the footing in most areas is very good. Tremendous views from the day and a half that I had good weather. I drove most of the Skyline Drive a few years ago and the views are terrific. There are a few views that I really wished I hadn't missed such as Mary's Rock Mountain, the Pinnacle, Little Stony Man, and Hightop. Fortunately all of these places can be fairly easily hiked to via the Skyline Drive. I hope to return here sometime and rehike a few of these places. Part of hiking the Appalachian Trail is missing views. It's not easy but I am learning that rain is a part of hiking. I try to focus on other things when I miss views such as wildlife, hikers I meet, and the trail itself.
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