Day 82 – Lewis Mountain campground to Rock Springs Hut

“Just about 200 years ago, they signed that declaration

Tellin’ everybody in the whole wide world

They’re gonna start a brand new nation

From that day on, the Fourth of July has been a holiday

To the rich man, poor man

And everybody else but the cowboys in the RCA” – Chris Ledoux

Up at 6:00. Out at 7:35. Glass, Polar, and Newt left about 7:15 and headed to pamper themselves at Skyland Resort today.

Fun rock scramble this morning on Bearfence Mountain.

Stopped for a snack break at 10:30. And a random rabbit.

Mileage graffiti next to a parking lot. 925 miles down and 1269 miles to go. Well, close enough. Those numbers are a year or two old.

Got to Big Meadow Wayside at 11:50. Time for food and blackberry milkshakes!

Resupplied for the next 3 days. Not counting on quality resupply other than snacks at the next two waysides. The brothers showed up as we were finishing our lunch. They are headed to the same shelter as us for tonight.

The rain got here at 2:00. We are just hanging out at the Wayside until the worst of the storm passes. Us and a ton of civilians. We have 5 miles to go to reach our shelter for the night. And it’s uphill the last mile again. 

We left  in drizzling rain at 3:00. Stopped by Big Meadows Lodge just to check it out.

Then hiked up to Blackrock Overlook for a great post-storm view of the Shenandoah Valley.

We have a relatively easy 3.9 miles to Rock Spring hut. Should be there about 4:45. Not sure if I will use the hut or pitch my tent. 

Ran across Mom and two babies with no fear of people.

OMG is it hot! After the storm, the sun came out, and I can literally see the steam rising from the forest. 

Got to Rock Spring hut at 5:50. One other person here, and the brothers are tenting here. One bar cell and good cold water. It’s ridiculously humid and has zero air movement. Everything we wore is soaked, and there is no chance of drying tonight. Welcome to July in the mid-Atlantic!

Got settled in and made dinner at 7:00. It rained again, but it was slow and steady as opposed to the downpour this afternoon. I took an upper bunk in the shelter. It’s two-tiered and can sleep 8-10 comfortably.

Technical Notes:

• Pop-Tarts 370
• Hershey bar 210
• Sausage snacks 300
• Skittles 100
• Sausage snacks 140
• Skittles 70
• Blackberry milkshake 400
• Cheeseburger 600
• Root beer 260
• Fritos 370
• Blackberry milkshake 400
• Backpackers pantry: Santa Fe rice and beans 590
• Pringles 300
• Water liters: 4
• Miles: 12.6
• Time: 8
• Elevation gain: 2219
• Calories consumed:  4200
• Calories burned: 5700