Waynesboro, VA to Harpers Ferry, WV

Day 3, Monday, April 28

Blackrock Hut to Hightop Hut, 21.4 miles

Awake at 6:30AM. Very cool this morning. 40 degrees, but sunny. Good night’s sleep. Blackrock Hut is famous for the huge rat that supposedly lives here. I didn’t see it, but I understand he made an appearance. “Firewood” claims to have seen it last night climbing up the bunk lattice inside of the shelter. Big as a small cat. Glad I’m a sound sleeper.

I’m hiking by 7 AM. Other than the climb up the first hill, it’s a great morning’s hike. The miles pass by. In no time I’m at Brown’s Gap and stop for breakfast there. I see a deer at the pull off.

By 10 AM I’ve reached the southern entrance to Loft Mountain Campground. The campground is still closed, but the wayside another mile or so on the other side is supposed to be open. I reach the wayside trail after a tough uphill at 10:35 AM. It’s a half-mile downhill to the wayside on the Skyline Drive, but I’m craving a burger and milkshake, so I stash my pack in the woods and hike down the trail. I’m one of only a half dozen people at the wayside this morning. I guess it’s still too early for the tourist season.

After eating my burger and vanilla shake I reluctantly begin the half-mile uphill back to the AT. As I get to the top of the mountain, “Momma” and “Papa Bear”, and of course, “Woods Wanderer” are hiking down. They’ve decided to grab lunch at the wayside as well. It’s 11:30 AM by the time I’m hiking again. It was a tough half-mile down and back up…but the cheeseburger and shake were great.

I spend the afternoon hiking mostly along ridges. With the exception of the climb out of Ivy Creek, the hiking is very good (flat) all the way to Pinefield Hut. I reach the hut at 1:40 PM. I’m planning to push on to Hightop Hut, another 8 miles away, but it sure is tempting to stay here. I’m tired, but if I don’t move on I’ll never reach my mail drop in Linden, VA when the Post Office is open on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.

The first two miles over Weaver Mountain aren’t too bad; it’s just very warm this afternoon. I walk down to the Simmons Gap Ranger Station at the next crossing for water. There is an outside spigot at the station. Boy the water is cold too. It hurts to drink but it hits the spot. The thermometer on the side of the building reads 80 degrees. No wonder I’m sweating.

I repay the easy hiking account that I’ve been drawing off of today over the next six miles. It’s the old AT back with a vengeance. Uphill and steep at that. Thank God only a couple of more ups and downs though. I cross Powell Gap shortly before 4 PM and reach Smith Roach gap at 5 PM. Now it’s only 1.6 miles to go, but I my legs are dead. It’s a tough climb up Hightop Mountain to the shelter. I finally stumble in at 5:40 PM. Twenty-one miles of AT and one mile of side trail to the wayside today. No wonder I’m pooped.

I guess this must be one of the first really warm days this spring. Everything seems to be hatching out. I’ve never seen bugs as bad as they have been this afternoon. A real nuisance. Can’t wait for Maine.

The mountain ridges seem to be getting greener right before my eyes. Still no leaves on top, but another few days like yesterday and today and spring will be bursting out all over. With no leaves on the trees the sun really blasts through to the forest floor. Guess that’s why I’m getting sunburned and feel hot hiking.

I get water from the spring and take a quick bath behind the shelter before cooking soup for supper. I’ve eaten and packed up for the night just as the sun goes down below me. Beautiful evening and night. Just a hint of a breeze. There isn’t anyone but me at the shelter for the night. Only the third time that’s happened since I’ve been hiking. I hear a mouse behind me as I finish writing in my journal by headlamp. Going to be an interesting night I see. To bed shortly after 9 PM.