With the threat of rain, I decided to jump ahead a section and then backtrack tomorrow. This way I won't miss out on some great views. This particular trailhead is probably not the best one to use. We had to follow a very long, windy, dirt road to get here. If I had to do over again, I probably would have broken the next couple section up in a different way. Anyway, after a long drive to the trailhead, I got started. We were afraid we would miss the trailhead, but we found this concrete marker at the trailhead.
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I had a 4.5 mile climb with 2,000 feet of elevation gain ahead of me.
Shortly into my hike, I passed my halfway point for the Appalachian Trail!! The real halfway point is in southern Pennsylvania. I was stuck at 49% all winter, so this was a super feeling to be half done.
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After a long climb, I broke through the woods into meadows with gorgeous views.
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The trail followed the edge of Beartown Wilderness most of the way.
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Southern balds are so beautiful. Here's the view from the top.
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Chestnut Knob Shelter is at the top. Wouldn't this be a great place to spend the night?
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Sign on the door
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I walked inside and immediately heard the flapping of wings. I sure hope that is a bird and not a bat. I found where it was coming from and was relieved to find it was a bird. I left the door open so Little Bird could fly out. Runtrails had told me there was a swing in this shelter. I walked over to the corner where the swing was supposed to be and found that it had been removed. As I turned to leave, Little Bird flew right into the window in the picture below. SMACK!! Then I saw him fall to the hard plywood bunk about 5 feet below. THUD!
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I felt so bad for Little Bird. He just laid there stunned. Although I work in a hospital, I'm about as far away from being a doctor or nurse as you can be. I scooped up the bird in my hand.
It's true! A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
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It was a very hot, record high setting day, so I brought Little Bird outside and over to the shady side of the building where I laid him down and gently patted him.
I gave Little Bird some space and ate an orange while he rested. I went back over to him and tried to pet him when he hopped away. I tried again and he took off. I watched him fly to a nearby tree. Looks like he'll be all right after all. Stay away from windows Little Bird.
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Another view into the valley.
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A smooth section of trail near Walker Gap
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Mystery cairn???
I couldn't figure out the purpose of this cairn. It wasn't marking the trail. There wasn't a trail junction. It was holding up a metal rod, but there was no sign on it. Hmmm?
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Another great view as I walked the ridge.
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Next I crossed VA 623. Four women hikers were just dropped off and started south.
"Are you heading to Maine?" one of them asked thinking I was a thru hiker.
"Yes, I expect to be there in less than two weeks," I replied.
"What?" she said in disbelief.
Then I explained, "I'm from Maine. I'm down here section hiking for two weeks."
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Up some stone steps
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This was an exceptionally hot day. I hadn't seen a drop of water on the trail all day. I had plenty to drink, but a cold stream would still be nice. Finally after about a dozen miles, the trail dropped down. I heard the sound of water ahead. It wasn't much, but was like an oasis in the desert.
I soaked my shirt and hat in the cold stream. It was cold putting them back on, but it felt great as I began to cool down.
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It was a minute or two off the trail, but I checked out Jenkins Shelter.
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The first and only bridge I saw today.
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Speaking of bridges. I read a note at the Chestnut Knob Shelter that the Laurel Creek Bridge at VA 615 was out. This is where I was ending my hike, and I was concerned if it would be a problem. I guess we'll see. Five miles to go.
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I was a little behind schedule for meeting Lynn so I put it into high gear the next 5 miles. I came to the junction with the High Water Trail. My map showed a split in the trail, but the white blazes kept following the High Water Trail. Looks like a relo, probably as a result of the bridge being out. I could tell the trail used to be a blue blazed trail. I could see blue paint under the white. Every now and then I would look up and see a blue blaze. For a split second I would think I was on the wrong trail and then realized when they relocated the trail, they didn't paint over every blaze. I made my way down to the road where I met Lynn. I was very proud of her. The trail had been relocated and she still found me even though I came out about a half mile from where I expected to come out. I then had about a half mile walk up the road. I could see where the trail had been and where the bridge was washed out. The water was low today, but it would be tough to cross the creek after a lot of rain so I can see why they relocated the trail.
