Author: jpetesd

June 9

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Day 71 Signal Knob Campsite to Bears Den Rocks (17.2 miles) 1003.2 total miles

It’s been a while since the last trail magic I was fortunate to receive but today there was a couple grilling hot dogs at a crossing and they had chairs…with backs!

Most of this group I’ve been hiking near for a few days. Grumpy Old Man is in lower right. Don’t know why he’s called grumpy because always laughing. Little Bad Ass and Bam Bam are next. Ontario is across by cooler and next to Homeward (our host and 2016 thru hiker). Prepping her hot dog is Goddess. Not all could pull off a name like that but she can. Manning the grill is Peggy (hostess).

Spent about a half hour there and then it was on to The Roller Coaster. 13.5 miles of tightly packed ascents and descents. Not many signs posted along trail but beginning of Roller Coaster had a warning sign ensuring you know what you’re about to get yourself into.

Lots of steep, rocky ups and downs. Picture below loses a bit of the steepness but you can get an idea.

1000 miles!! That’s a lot of steps! Not much of a celebratory spot in the midst of the Roller Coaster.


Hoping to make Harpers Ferry, WV tomorrow. Weather should be nice before heats up to low 90’s Sunday to Wed.

Happy trails!

June 8

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Day 70 US 522 to Signal Knob Campsite (16.4 miles) 986.1 miles total

Been hiking for 10 weeks now. Will hit 1,000 miles tomorrow…and still not half way there. Crazy.

Walking through much lower elevation since leaving Shenandoahs. Was between 800 and 2,000 feet all day. Unfortunately still a lot of ups and downs!

Took a break on a bench sitting along trail in clearing below. One of the things you really appreciate out here is a chair with a back. Rocks and logs are not that comfortable for seating.

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In serious Civil War territory now. Will be passing within 5 miles of Antietam and 20 of Gettysburg during next couple of weeks.

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Going to try to keep mileage between 16 and 20 per day up through PA. It’s about 310 miles to Delaware Water Gap. When I get there, it is about 40 miles from Lake Hopatcong, NJ where we lived for 5 years and have many good friends. Assuming I can arrange rides, I plan to slack pack about 10 to 15 miles a day around there and be back to Mason Street Pub for happy hour!

Happy trails!

June 7

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Day 69 Gravel Springs Hut to US 522 (13.4 miles) 969.7 miles total

Both knees and right hip have been sore last 2 days. Hoping they’re just working back in to shape.

Finished Shenandoah’s today. I was a bit disappointed as views were somewhat limited and similar. Many more views driving on Skyline Drive. The AT was rerouted for Skyline Dr. Someone told me there are 77 viewpoints on Skyline and 22 on AT. If you ever come here for the views, I’d recommend driving!

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Of all hikers I’ve talked with in Shenandoahs, only 2 had not seen a bear here (Grumpy Old Man and Just Pete). Some had seen 8 and up to 13. Bam Bam and Little Bad Ass even had one that blocked the trail and snapped his jaws at them!

One mile past Shenandoahs I saw my second bear. It heard me before I saw it so only caught a glimpse as it ran off. It was only about 40 yds away. Rich Enright…that would be about 4.85 seconds away!

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Weather has been good last 2 days. Light rain late today. No rain forecast for next week. Going to be mid 90’s for a few days beginning Sunday.

Should hit 1,000 miles Friday and be in Harpers Ferry Saturday.

Happy trails!

June 6

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Day 68 Pass Mountain Hut to Gravel Springs Hut (13.1 miles) 956.3 miles total

Think I lost a bit of conditioning during break. A little more sore in legs than normal after not a big distance.

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Good weather today. Mostly cloudy and about 60 degrees.

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Met a mom (Bam Bam) and her 14 year old son, Little Bad Ass. They started hiking mid-March. Husband/dad at home. He’s a very polite and bright young man. Had been attending a private school. Dropped out of school to do this. Bam Bam said “We’ll figure that out after we get to Maine.” I am sure he will do well in life.

Also met a mid-40’s Aussie named Shepherd. He’s previously hiked the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. When he completes the AT, he will have completed the Triple Crown of hiking. When he’s not hiking, he bikes. Currently working on pedaling from Alaska to Argentina. Started in AK and bike now in Cancun, Mexico. He’s put on 15,000 miles so far! Said he has a couple sponsors and is frugal. Hasn’t been home for 3.5 years.

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Excited to hit 1,000 mile mark in 2-3 days!

Happy trails!

 

June 5

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Day 67 Thornton Gap to Pass Mountain Hut (1.2 miles) 943.2 miles total 

Had a great 4 days off highlighted by the Ashley and Zack Bosh “Bash”. Awesome family time.

Flew back to Baltimore last night. Got a ride to Harpers Ferry, WV from a friend (Snappy) then took a shuttle to Thornton Gap.

By the time I got to trail (1:30) it was raining. Shocker, right?!! Had to go either 1.2 miles or 14. Decided to ease back into it.

Hopeful for a nice day tomorrow.

Happy trails!

May 31

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Day 62 Rock Spring Hut to Thornton Gap (14.3 miles) 942.0 miles total

It’s much easier to hike on a day when you know 4 days of R&R are following!

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Hiked to a spot where I thought would be good place to hitch a ride from. Thornton Gap is right along Skyline Drive so that became the target.

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Made it to Thornton Gap about 2PM. Got a ride from one of the first cars to pass. A wonderful couple from Belgium, Bruno and Linda, picked me up and took me all the way into Front Royal (about 25 miles). Bruno and Linda are on a 3 week vacation touring PA, MD, and VA.

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Thanks so much Bruno and Linda. It was a pleasure meeting you and talking with you. Safe travels!

Brooke picked me up shortly after 6 and we were in Baltimore about 8:30.

I am now officially on vacation. No hiking for 4 days. Perfect timing for the physical and mental break from the grind.

Happy trails!

May 30

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Day 61 Bearfence Mtn Hut to Rock Spring Hut (11.5 miles) 927.9 miles total

I took the lazy hiker distance today. Knew from first mile of the AM that I wasn’t going to the 22 mile hut!

Saw 4 deer today. One was a doe with a day(s) old fawn. Still a bit wobbly on its legs. That pic was no good unfortunately.

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The accessibility of the wayside restaurants in the Shenandoahs is very convenient. Very difficult to leave and get hiking again however. Like a vortex that sucks you in.

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Since I was only going a few miles past wayside, I brought a 6-pack of Bud with me. Heavy hiking with the extra weight today. Fortunately will be much lighter tomorrow.

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Couple other hikers I talked with today have the VA blues (as do I). Just getting tired of the day after day hiking. Burnt out, hit a wall, whatever you want to call it.

If you can see the notch by top of mtn in below pic, I think that is very close to where I tented last night.

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Tomorrow will be my last day of hiking until Monday! Perfect time for a 4 day break.

Our daughter, Brooke, is picking me up tonight. Staying in Baltimore tonight and tomorrow, fly to Fargo Friday, Ashley and Zach wedding Saturday, fly back Sunday, and back on the trail Monday.

Happy trails!

May 29

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Day 60 Pinefield Hut to Bearfence Mtn Hut (20.6 miles) 916.4 miles total

Hope you had a great Memorial Day. God bless all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

60 days and 900+ miles. That’s a lot of both!

Really nice day today. Even got a few views.

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Surprising how quickly the trail dries out. The leaves along trail must really soak up water. Still muddy in spots but much better than most of last few weeks.

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Still amazed by the vast amount of wilderness. Have seen a lot of “Keep the Wilderness Wild” signs.

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The Pocosin Cabin. Don’t know the story behind it but seems in use. Big padlock on door. Freshly cut wood stacked and relatively new outhouse! Cool little place.

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Tomorrow’s distance options are limited. Hut at 11.5 miles or one at 22.4 miles. Don’t know that I have long one in me.

Happy trails!

May 28

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Day 59 Blackrock Hut to Pinefield Hut (13.2 miles) 895.8 miles total

Light rain until early AM. Pretty foggy starting out and got foggier!

The trail crosses Skyline Drive or a parking area off of it every couple miles. Sometimes you have to look a bit to find where trail resumes on other side. Got to a big parking area today and visibility was about 100 ft. As I’m beginning to wander about looking for sign of trail I run into a family out on a day hike. They had just come from where I was heading. They pointed me in right direction and I helped them find where they were headed.

Made it to lunch spot at about 1:00. Burger, fries, Mtn Dew, and blackberry milkshake. Saw a few hikers I knew there. Tourists just look at you like you’re on display at a zoo!

Got really foggy while I was there. Almost 0 visibility for a few minutes. Happy to wait that out in restaurant.

Heard rain starting between 4 and 6. Wouldn’t get to intended destination until close to 6 so I decided to stop at next shelter. Got there and tent up about an hour before rain started.


Tomorrow I’ll go as far as I go. Planning to start ending my days when I begin to get tired instead of pushing for more miles. For the rest of the adventure I’m going to “Enjoy the Suck!”

Happy trails!

May 27

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Day 58 US 250 to Blackrock Hut (20.7 miles) 882.6 miles total 

Into the Shenandoahs! They call the shelters through here huts. Not sure why because similar to shelters elsewhere.

Same shoe. Same size. Different color. Can you tell which has 861 miles on it? Didn’t realize how stretched out shoes had gotten. Should have probably gotten wider or half size larger!

The cushioning in bottom of new shoes feels great. A bit tight across toes but guessing they’ll stretch.

In the Shenandoahs you are only allowed to tent in designated sites around huts (shelters). This constrains mileage a bit. Had a few miles left in me today but didn’t know if I could make 6 to next tent area.

Was disappointed in views today. Lot of miles in trees just below ridge line.


Shooting for 21 miles to Hightop Hut tomorrow. Will get to stop at restaurant near trail for lunch.

Happy trails!