I've got another 20+ mile day ahead of me. Today I started my hike at Iron Mountain Gap.
I didn't notice until after I got back to the motel and looked at the picture that 'Appalachian' was spelled wrong. Did someone forgot to run spellcheck on the sign? I guess I shouldn't point fingers. Despite all my proofreading, I'm sure I've made plenty of spelling errors in my journal.
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Lynn walked with me as we headed into Big Laurel Branch Wilderness.
Lynn doesn't like hills, but she stuck with me for quite a while as the trail headed uphill on Iron Mountain. About 10 minutes after she turned back I heard something ahead. I looked up and caught a glimpse of a large black dog on the trail. I figured there was a hiker ahead. The dog turned to run back to his owner, or so I thought. That's when I realized it wasn't a big black dog, but a BEAR. A second later he jumped off the trail and into the woods. This wasn't uncommon, black bears seem to be kind of shy around people. I could hear him thrashing around in the woods until he was out of earshot. I probably only saw the bear for about 3 seconds but it was still neat! This was the first bear that I have seen on the trail outside of Shenandoah National Park.
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Vandeventer Shelter, the first of three shelters I stopped at today.
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| Behind the shelter was a rock outcropping. I climbed to the top for a great view of Watauga Lake and the valley below. |
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Further up the trail I got another view into the valley.
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During this two week trek, I've run into one woman several times who is hiking south.
I figured I would run into her again today and I did.
"Hello again," she said.
"I thought I would see you again," I said. "Now you said you are hiking from Harpers Ferry to Springer and then Harpers Ferry to Katahdin."
"That's right."
"There must be a reason you chose to hike the trail like that."
"Yep. To miss the crowds," she said
Considering the flood of thru hikers who start the trail in March and April but never finish, this was a sound plan.
"I figured it was something like that. Do you have a trail name?" I asked.
"Blue Skies," she responded.
"Well Blue Skies, it's been nice seeing you again. I only have one more hike planned, and it is the section north of here so I probably won't see you again. I'll be looking for you when I'm on the trail in Maine. Good luck!"
"Thanks."
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I came across a set of powerlines that went up and over the mountain. Because the trees were cleared for the powerlines, there was a pretty good view.
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The trail wasn't right on the ridge at this section. I got off the trail, climbed the hill for a minute, and looked over the other side.
When I have a view partially obstructed by powerlines, I wish the powerlines weren't there. But then I think, if the powerlines weren't there, the trees never would have been cleared, and there wouldn't be any view at all.
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The shade of these rhododendrons was welcome on this hot day.
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Iron Mountain Shelter
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A monument to a mountain man
Inscription Reads:
Uncle Nick Grindstaff
Born
December 26, 1851
Died
July 22, 1923
Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone
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More of that nice bridging with the screen on top
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I met Lynn at VA 91. We met a former section hiker named Mountain Squid. He section hiked the trail from 2004-2006. He lives nearby and comes up to the trail to talk with thru hikers.
I gave Lynn my pack. All I need for the next 6.5 miles is a water bottle and a camera.
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Mountain Squid said this maze of fencing was built to try to discourage people with bicycles from getting on the trail.
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I'm off again!
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I went through a beautiful, green field . . .
. . . with great views.
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As you can see, I loved this spot and took lots of pictures.
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Come, sit a spell.
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But not too long, we've got more trail to hike.
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Don't forget to look back once and a while.
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Here's a stile with a design I haven't seen before. It has a step to help you climb over it. The wire fence was gone on one side, making this stile no longer necessary.
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Double Springs Shelter
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Let's keep moving.
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What a gorgeous day!
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Over the last week or so, I have seen a lot of these plants. Sue identified them for me. They are mayapples. They have one white flower that blooms underneath. The plant also goes by several other names including the umbrella plant in reference to its shape.
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Lynn parked on US Route 421 and came to meet me.
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We walked back to the car where I found a cement picnic table at the trailhead.
I've got just one more day on the trail.
