Post by rpcv on Sept 18, 2015 5:38:10 GMT -8
Over Labor Day weekend, we helped a friend finish the Appalachian Trail through Shenandoah National Park. He has been doing Virginia in sections and the only piece of Shenandoah he had left to was from Swift Run Gap to Thornton Gap - 35 miles. The first day we hike from Swift Run Gap to Bearfence Hut (9 miles).
We started in the clouds at Swift Run Gap, but soon enough it burned off and the weather was beautiful for the rest of the weekend.
Chicken of the Woods fungus on a downed tree.
The second day, we hiked from Bearfence Hut to Rock Spring Hut (11 miles). We took quick side trips to the top of Bearfence Mountain and to Big Meadows wayside. Unfortunately, I turned my ankle as we were coming down off of Bearfence Mountain, early in the day. I wound up being able to hike on it, but by the end of the day, it was pretty painful, especially if I caught my foot on a rock. Of course, since I was tired at the end of the day, I did that a lot. I was pretty happy to get off my feet at Rock Spring Hut.
My husband and our friend on an outcrop on Bearfence Mountain.
A butterfly on a thistle near Big Meadows.
A Monarch caterpillar on milkweed near Big Meadows.
Looking towards Hawksbill Mountain from behind Big Meadows campground.
On day three, we hiked from Rock Spring Hut to Thornton Gap (15 miles). The original plan was that I would hike the four miles to Skyland and then wait for the guys to finish and come back and get me. My ankle felt quite a bit better, though, so I decided to do the whole thing. I did pretty well for 13 of the 15 miles, but the last two were tough. I did it, though and, overall, this was the prettiest day of the hike.
Sedum telephoides (Wild Live Forever) on one of the rock slides on Hawksbill Mountain.
We had lunch at Little Stony Man after a stop for coffee at Skyland Resort. On our way back to the trail from Skyland, we encountered a mother bear with a couple of cubs near the trail. We kept a respectful distance and, after determining that we weren't going to get closer, she continued on her way. The cubs were very cute.
This Timber Rattlesnake was hanging out by the trail near Jewel Hollow Overlook (I have a good zoom lens).
We had a good hike. It would have been a bit better if I hadn't injured myself on day 2, but it still went pretty well. We met some really nice southbounders and section hikers at the shelters. All in all, a good trip.
We started in the clouds at Swift Run Gap, but soon enough it burned off and the weather was beautiful for the rest of the weekend.
Chicken of the Woods fungus on a downed tree.
The second day, we hiked from Bearfence Hut to Rock Spring Hut (11 miles). We took quick side trips to the top of Bearfence Mountain and to Big Meadows wayside. Unfortunately, I turned my ankle as we were coming down off of Bearfence Mountain, early in the day. I wound up being able to hike on it, but by the end of the day, it was pretty painful, especially if I caught my foot on a rock. Of course, since I was tired at the end of the day, I did that a lot. I was pretty happy to get off my feet at Rock Spring Hut.
My husband and our friend on an outcrop on Bearfence Mountain.
A butterfly on a thistle near Big Meadows.
A Monarch caterpillar on milkweed near Big Meadows.
Looking towards Hawksbill Mountain from behind Big Meadows campground.
On day three, we hiked from Rock Spring Hut to Thornton Gap (15 miles). The original plan was that I would hike the four miles to Skyland and then wait for the guys to finish and come back and get me. My ankle felt quite a bit better, though, so I decided to do the whole thing. I did pretty well for 13 of the 15 miles, but the last two were tough. I did it, though and, overall, this was the prettiest day of the hike.
Sedum telephoides (Wild Live Forever) on one of the rock slides on Hawksbill Mountain.
We had lunch at Little Stony Man after a stop for coffee at Skyland Resort. On our way back to the trail from Skyland, we encountered a mother bear with a couple of cubs near the trail. We kept a respectful distance and, after determining that we weren't going to get closer, she continued on her way. The cubs were very cute.
This Timber Rattlesnake was hanging out by the trail near Jewel Hollow Overlook (I have a good zoom lens).
We had a good hike. It would have been a bit better if I hadn't injured myself on day 2, but it still went pretty well. We met some really nice southbounders and section hikers at the shelters. All in all, a good trip.
