Rocket Jones
05-01-2011, 16:56
Two friends and I did a quick loop out of Elkwallow on Friday and Saturday. We caught the AT to the Neighbor Mountain Trail, then camped near the bottom of Jeremy's Run. The next day we finished up Jeremy's Run and headed home. The weather was beautiful even though the night was a little colder than we'd anticipated (mid 30's). Even so, everyone slept warm.
On the AT, we met three section hikers, two NOBO and one SOBO. One guy was doing all of VA in April, another all of SNP, and the third was just hiking as far as he could in the time he had. Those were the only folks we saw on the trails on Friday. That was one reason why we started then instead of Saturday.
The water in Jeremy's Run is really high and moving right now. The trail crosses the creek "at least a dozen times" (more than 15 I think) and a lot of the rock hopping that might be possible later in the Summer was just wishful thinking. Ice water is refreshing, right?
Being one of the more popular trails in the park, Saturday was like an interstate on the trail. One hiking group of at least 20 passed, five or six fishermen, and all told there were easily 50 others we met or who passed us. I'll admit it, I was envious of their tiny day packs.
It was beautiful, we had a great time and I learned a few things about myself, my gear and packing (we all brought way too much food). Good times. Photos here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9944705@N05/sets/72157626621209710).
On the AT, we met three section hikers, two NOBO and one SOBO. One guy was doing all of VA in April, another all of SNP, and the third was just hiking as far as he could in the time he had. Those were the only folks we saw on the trails on Friday. That was one reason why we started then instead of Saturday.
The water in Jeremy's Run is really high and moving right now. The trail crosses the creek "at least a dozen times" (more than 15 I think) and a lot of the rock hopping that might be possible later in the Summer was just wishful thinking. Ice water is refreshing, right?
Being one of the more popular trails in the park, Saturday was like an interstate on the trail. One hiking group of at least 20 passed, five or six fishermen, and all told there were easily 50 others we met or who passed us. I'll admit it, I was envious of their tiny day packs.
It was beautiful, we had a great time and I learned a few things about myself, my gear and packing (we all brought way too much food). Good times. Photos here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/9944705@N05/sets/72157626621209710).