kolokolo
05-18-2015, 20:13
Hey All,
I really wanted to go hiking last weekend, and the idea of Trail Days just didn't appeal to me anyway, so I hiked the section from Sam's Gap up to 19E. (Thanks again for the shuttle, 10-K!)
The weather was great on Thursday, Friday, and most of Saturday, although there was some wind and drizzle on Saturday while I was hiking over Hump Mountain. My first day out, I hiked over Big Bald, and took in the 360 degree view of the mountains. I pitched my tent that night in Erwin a short distance past the railroad tracks, and heard the trains rumble through all night. They don't blow their whistles right near there, so all I felt was the rumble and hiss of the giant engines, and the squeals of all that steel sliding past. I love that.
Friday, Beauty Spot was the high point, and it lived up to its name. I got to Greasy Creek Gap by late afternoon and it looked like it might rain, so I wandered down to the Greasy Creek Friendly hostel. That was a great place, and there was only one other hiker there, also doing a section. The hostel owner was very friendly, as advertised, and I spent a comfortable night in the bunkhouse. There was a surprising assortment of food available, and it was nice to change things up a bit. Well worth the extra .6 miles to get there from the trail.
Saturday was the day to put up or shut up, as Roan High Knob was on the agenda. I guess that it would have bee much harder a few years ago, before the switchbacks were added above Ash Gap, but it was still pretty strenuous getting to the top. I could still see the old path going straight up the hill, as the new path wove back and for the across it. After dropping into Carver's Gap, I joined quite a few days hikers as we made our way across the Roan Highlands. It was beautiful, seeing the green grass of the mountains sloping off in the distance. As I made my way up Hump Mountain, the gray clouds dropped down, the wind picked up and a steady drizzle began. There was no thunder or lightning, so I felt it was safe to go on. Once over the top and back in the woods the rain had stopped, but things were pretty slippery, and I was glad when I arrived safely at Doll Flats. Now that's a great camping spot!
Sunday, I was up at dawn, and back at my car at 19E before 8AM. I got back home in Ohio before dinner. Gotta say, this was one of the most beautiful sections I've hiked, and I enjoyed the solitude.
Maybe some day I'll do to Trail Days, but I'm happy with what I did this year.
I really wanted to go hiking last weekend, and the idea of Trail Days just didn't appeal to me anyway, so I hiked the section from Sam's Gap up to 19E. (Thanks again for the shuttle, 10-K!)
The weather was great on Thursday, Friday, and most of Saturday, although there was some wind and drizzle on Saturday while I was hiking over Hump Mountain. My first day out, I hiked over Big Bald, and took in the 360 degree view of the mountains. I pitched my tent that night in Erwin a short distance past the railroad tracks, and heard the trains rumble through all night. They don't blow their whistles right near there, so all I felt was the rumble and hiss of the giant engines, and the squeals of all that steel sliding past. I love that.
Friday, Beauty Spot was the high point, and it lived up to its name. I got to Greasy Creek Gap by late afternoon and it looked like it might rain, so I wandered down to the Greasy Creek Friendly hostel. That was a great place, and there was only one other hiker there, also doing a section. The hostel owner was very friendly, as advertised, and I spent a comfortable night in the bunkhouse. There was a surprising assortment of food available, and it was nice to change things up a bit. Well worth the extra .6 miles to get there from the trail.
Saturday was the day to put up or shut up, as Roan High Knob was on the agenda. I guess that it would have bee much harder a few years ago, before the switchbacks were added above Ash Gap, but it was still pretty strenuous getting to the top. I could still see the old path going straight up the hill, as the new path wove back and for the across it. After dropping into Carver's Gap, I joined quite a few days hikers as we made our way across the Roan Highlands. It was beautiful, seeing the green grass of the mountains sloping off in the distance. As I made my way up Hump Mountain, the gray clouds dropped down, the wind picked up and a steady drizzle began. There was no thunder or lightning, so I felt it was safe to go on. Once over the top and back in the woods the rain had stopped, but things were pretty slippery, and I was glad when I arrived safely at Doll Flats. Now that's a great camping spot!
Sunday, I was up at dawn, and back at my car at 19E before 8AM. I got back home in Ohio before dinner. Gotta say, this was one of the most beautiful sections I've hiked, and I enjoyed the solitude.
Maybe some day I'll do to Trail Days, but I'm happy with what I did this year.