Today’s Miles: 21.3
Trip Miles: 914.7
“Cause I love the long shots, and the left-out lost causes
And hangin’ out in the back of the pack with the dark horses
I ride the wrong road just as fast as I can
And God knows there’s no one else to blame
Sometimes I think I get off on the pain” – Gary Allan
Upper 50s going up to mid-80s, low humidity, mostly sunny, nice breezes. Perfect hiking weather.
Up at 6:15. On trail at 7:20. 21.4 miles today with a camp store and a wayside at the 1/3 mark. Super excited.
Ran into a massive rock field at about 1.5 miles. Glad I did not have to walk that…yet. That starts in northern PA.
Took advantage of a picnic area at 8:30 for a snack, ditch trash, and use the privy. Nice picnic area and clean bathroom …for a pit toilet it was clean.
We road walked on Skyline Drive for about 2 miles to avoid a big trail climb. Only saw 3 cars. That will change in 2 days as July 4 approaches. We expect BIG crowds in the park for the long July 4 weekend.
A damn bee stung me through my sock. Ouch. What did I do to him to deserve that?
Shortcut by the amphitheater at Loft Mountain. It’s a beautiful day. Almost to the camp store for a break and resupply.
Arrived at the Loft Mountain camp store at 10:30. Did a 1.5-day resupply. Trying to keep it light. Picked up a Hershey bar and a fresh cup of coffee. Overkill took the opportunity to borrow an outlet and charge some electronics. Texted with Vick and she is going to join us for lunch in Front Royal on Monday. Sweet!
Sat and drank my coffee and ate my Hershey bar with this view before heading to the grill at the Wayside. Nice!
Headed to the Wayside for brunch at 11:30. Easy walk downhill. Good food, not much resupply, hiker trash infestation.
This is lunch part 1.
And this is lunch part 2.
Saved the chips for snacks later in the day. Headed out at 12:50. We have about 13.5 more miles to go today. Hope to be to camp by 7:30.
Stopped at an overlook on the BRP for a snack and a break at mile 11.8 for today. Nice view east to Grottoes.
Took a quick break at 3:30 at the summit of Weaver Mountain. We have 1.1 miles downhill to Simmons Gap Ranger Station where we can get potable water and take a good break.
We hit the 900-mile mark !
At 4:10 we stopped for water and a break at Simmons Gap Ranger Station. It’s a beautiful afternoon.
Back on trail at 4:30. We have 6.4 miles to go to camp.
Took a good break at 6:00. We have 3.4 more miles to go mostly up.
Break and snack at 7:00. 1.8 more to go
Last 1 mile was a real bitch of an uphill. Just what we needed to end the day.
Got to Hightop Hut at 7:55. One bar cell service. Nobody else here so far.
Camp setup and starting dinner at 8:30.
We ended up with the entire campsite to ourselves. Us and the RATS in the shelter. Yuck! Ate dinner and in bed in my tent at 9:45.
Long day but good day. The stops at the camp store and the Wayside were great. Really broke the day up plus ….food! At one road crossing later in the day people stopped their truck and offered us water and snacks. Very nice.
In our last 6 hiking days we have 2 days in the 19 range and 4 over 20. We are feeling those miles. For the next 5 days we will be staying under 15 per day. Trying to actually enjoy the scenery and amenities in Shenandoah a bit and take it a little easier on the body. We will reach Lewis Mountain campground in about 6 hours tomorrow…call it 2:00. More resupply and snacks there. Will be in our camp for the day by 3:00 or 4:00. Yey!
We should start really seeing the crowds tomorrow. Tons of July 4th tourists.
Technical Notes:
- Pop-Tarts 370
- Little Debbie oatmeal pie 240
- Skittles 80
- Turkey sausage 80
- Skittles 40
- Coffee 0
- Hershey bar 360
- Root beer 150
- Italian sausage 500
- Root beer 150
- Hotdog 314
- Skittles 100
- Cheese crackers 250
- Skittles 50
- Turkey sausage 120
- Skittles 110
- Trail mix 270
- Chips 150
- Backpackers Pantry Santa Fe rice and beans 590
- Chips 150
- Fritos 500
- Water liters 5
- Miles 21.7
- Time 12
- Elevation gain 4824
- Calories consumed 4750
- Calories burned 7500
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