Begin: Day 112- Saturday, August 10, Waynesboro, VA
End: Day 116- Wednesday, August 14, Buena Vista, VA
Most Trail Miles in a day this period: 16.8
Total Trail Miles Hiked: 1105
Photos corresponding to this week’s post can be found in the “08-10 VA Central” folder. Sort by date is recommended.
Day 112- Saturday (8/10)
Start: Waynesboro, VA - 864.5
End: Humpback Rocks Picnic Area - 851.5
Miles: 13.0
Ascent: 3179 | Descent: 2024
It felt very good to get back on trail this morning after taking two full days off to wait out Tropical Storm Debby. We were hoping that the trail would be in okay condition for hiking.
Our first major blowdown was found after hiking only five minutes. A large tree was across the trail along with a bunch of vines that ensnared us as we crawled through. We both had to untangle each other from the mess. Other blowdowns were easier to maneuver.
When we saw how much water was flowing in places that were reported as “dry” or “trickling “ just a few days ago we were glad to have waited the extra day. We believe that some of these water crossings would have been more difficult if we left yesterday.
After lunch I took a 0.25-mile blue blaze side trail to Humpback Rocks and enjoyed fantastic views along with several day hikers. Once back on the AT, the trail went up and over Humpback Mountain (elev. 3,615’). This evening we pitched the tent near a picnic area that had a real restroom.
The Appalachian Trail is marked with white blazes, while side trails are often marked with blue blazes. Distances hiked on these blue blazes trails to not count towards trail miles hiked. Most shelters and some water sources are found on blue blazes. Some blue blazes trails lead to vistas that may or may not be worth the extra distance.
Day 113- Sunday (8/11)
Start: Humpback Rocks Picnic Area - 851.5
End: Maupin Field Shelter Tentsite - 843.8
Miles: 7.7
Ascent: 1254 | Descent: 1595
This was a pretty six-mile hike from the campground to Ried’s Gap where we successfully hitched a ride to a local brewery about six miles from the trail. After about a three hour lunch we hitched back to the trail and hiked two miles to a shelter site. Other hikers there included Mr. Freeze and That Brunette.
Mr. Freeze, who was kind and very talkative, is living on the trail, but appears to be attempting to hike all of the trail, just over several years. So far he has completed everything north of here.
We met That Brunette during our earlier hiking days, back in New Jersey. She recently flipped back to Harpers Ferry and is now heading southbound. She hikes about 20 miles a day, and it did not take long for her to catch up with us.
Day 114- Monday
Start: Maupin Field Shelter Tentsite - 843.8
End: The Priest Shelter - 830.0
Miles: 13.8
Ascent: 4965 | Descent: 3832
Today we set a new record for most ascent hiked in a day. We ascended 4,965’ over our 13.8 mile hike as compared to our last record of 4,738’ over 16.4 miles back in New Hampshire.
The hike started from our tentsite at elevation 2,715’ and headed up to Bee Mountain (elev. 3,023’), to walk an undulating ridge line over to Three Ridges Mtn. (elev. 3,965’), and Chimney Rock (elev.3,184’). This was followed by a deep decent to the Tye River at elevation 901’, nine miles into the day.
There is a long suspension bridge across the Tye River for pedestrian traffic only. Trail Horse did his best to get it to wobble and swing while we crossed.
Once across, it was time for the more difficult part of the day: hiking up The Priest, a 3,180’ gain over 4.4 miles to elevation 4,063’. I rested part way up at a nice overlook while I called in my hiking report to the Mighty Blue podcast.
The Priest Shelter is located less than a mile on the other side of the summit and was our goal for the day. When I arrived there was a clean shaven man, Ed and his dog Bailey, in the shelter. Like Mr. Freeze from yesterday, Ed had his gear strewn all over the shelter, was very talkative, and living on the trail. The difference was that Ed was at times a little agitated, but seemed to calm some as we chatted. After we retired to our tent, we could hear the sound of his saw cutting wood into the night. It was an odd encounter but we never felt threatened.
Day 115- Tuesday
Start: The Priest Shelter - 830.0
End: Cow Camp Shelter - 813.2
Miles: 16.8
Ascent: 3546 | Descent: 4217
After saying goodbye to Ed and Bailey, we headed iff for Spy Rock (elev 3,860’). A blue blazed side trail wound around a massive rock formation leading us to the top where we had 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Throughout the day’s hike there was a lot of storm debris and many blowdowns. Some locations required getting off trail to get around the downed tree.
In the afternoon the trail crossed some meadows that had absolutely gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. There were so many wildflowers the buzzing sound of bees was nearly as loud as the crickets. I stopped several times crossing the area to take in the views from different vantage points.
The meadowlands ended just before reaching the peak of Cole Mountain (elevation 3,971 ‘) which coincided with our milestone of hiking 1,100 miles. What is special about this milestone is that we have now completed half of the Appalachian Trail (official milage for 2024 is 2,197.4 miles).
We stopped for the evening at a shelter that is 0.6 miles off trail. As a bonus, we had the place to ourselves.
Day 116- Wednesday
Start: Cow Camp Shelter - 813.2
End: US 60 Buena Vista - 809.4
Miles: 3.8
Ascent: 877 | Descent: 1989
After four nights on trail, it was time to reprovision. A short hike over Bald Knob (elev 4,045’) brought us to US 60 where the manager of Budget Inn picked us up.
We tackled usual town day chores of showers, laundry, grocery shopping and eating. Since we do not know what internet service we will have the rest of the week, we are uploading our blog now.
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