Free Spirit’s ( Al's )

Appalachian Trail Journal

It was a beautiful day - sunny, clear and nice - for a change. ElWolfe, Old Spice, Southern Comfort and I planned to hike 20 + miles today, to the Sam Moore Shelter. That was a typical day's distance for a through hiker but a big push for me - especially with my heavy pack over this rugged terrain. We started out crossing a hilltop covered with trillium.

The trail was a section known as the Roller Coaster. There was a series of "bumps" with very little moderate or level terrain, the trail either steep up or steep down. The elevations were not extreme, ranging only from 1000 to 2000 feet but the constant climbing or descending was very tiring. It was also quite rocky in many places. In the valleys, streams were usually found.

Climbing the second sharp bump, Piney Ridge, my hiking stick hit a log that was lying across the trail. As I went to step over the log I heard a distinct buzzing-rattling sound, looked toward the noise and saw a coiled RATTLESNAKE six feet away. I went to step back, lost my balance, stumbled, and nearly fell off the ridge. My hiking stick kept me from going over the edge. I tried to get my camera out, but by the time I regained my composure, the snake had slithered off into the rocks and I wasn't about to go looking for him.

My knees were much better and I was almost pain free. The combination of two-stick hiking with the proper shock absorbing insoles in my boots were paying off, and, after more than two weeks, my body was getting used to the daily rigors I was forcing upon it. .

I passed by two shelter side trails, Dick's Dome and Rod Hollow, without visiting them, saving over ½ mile of extra hiking. I expected to see the guys at Sam Moore shelter but I had the place all to myself. I found out later they pushed on four more miles to the Bears Den Hostel. Sam Moore was very nice shelter with a stream running in front of it and a covered picnic area. I arrived very thirsty around 5 P.M., did a little trail laundry, cooked supper and turned in.

Sam Moore shelter and its covered picnic area.

The weekend and nice weather brought out many day hikers and weekenders. I met a trail maintainer fixing a bridge. At Ashby Gap, just before the AT crosses US 50, I came across more of Fannypack's trail magic, a half case of grape soda in a trailside stream. Thank you Fannypack. I enjoyed a soda break and I knew that other hikers coming along would enjoy Fannypack's Trail Magic.

Daily Journal Entries

~ Journal Part 3~

Open Main Index In New Window