Section 4, Appalachian Trail
From: Va. 606 South of Pearisburg, 601.6 miles from Springer
To: Apple Orchard Falls Trail, 758 miles from Springer
June 24, 2007 to July 9, 2007
Section 4 miles: 156.4
The section hike for 2007 was a special one. My youngest daughter Sophi joined me and we had a great time. She captured many creative images for the hike.
The hike was done in three parts. The first was a short section of about 25 miles. The next section was the longest section of the trail, to date, that I have hiked without getting off the trail. It was more than 70 miles. The final section was about 55 miles. In total we covered 156.4 miles.
We rented a car in Roanoke and drove to the Rendevous Motel in Pearisburg where we headquartered. Brenda, the owner of the motel, shuttled us to Va 606 for the start of our hike. She dropped us at the junction of Va 606 and 42. The previous year I had left a note in a PowerAde bottle and stashed it in a roadway support pipe. It was still there but the ink had all faded. The message—GravelBoy was here. Brenda and Sophi could not believe that I had actually done such a thing and then remember to look for it.
June 24, 2007
Va 606 to near Sugar Run Gap
12.3 miles
We pulled up short of Woods Hole, a hostel, because it was our first day and we obviously pushed it. Sophi’s leg was acting up and we thought it best to camp where we could and go to Woods Hole the following day, which is what we did. There we were able to get a cold drink and continue on to Pearisburg. Sophi’s leg bothered her all the way. She walked like Chester from Gunsmoke.
613.9 miles from Springer
June 25, 2007
Near Sugar Run Gap to Pearisburg, Va
12 miles
We took a zero day in Pearisburg to help Sophi recover from her leg problem a bit.
625.9 miles from Springer
June 27, 2007
Pearisburg, Va to Symms Gap Meadow
11.9 miles
Today we began a long hike with a bit of consternation. I was concerned for Sophi’s leg but she wouldn’t say anything. She would walk stiff-legged though. We started out in the early morning by crossing the Pearisburg bridge.
637.8 miles from Springer
June 28, 2007
Symms Gap Meadow to Bailey Gap Shelter
11.3 miles
While camped at Symms Gap an older couple (my age or less) set up camp with us. This was Gimp and Knothead and we would leapfrog each other all the way to Daleview. They were through-hiking from Springer. While we would hike about the same distance each day, they would do it in 2 hours or so less time.
649.1 miles from Springer
June 29, 2007
Bailey Gap Shelter to Laurel Creek Shelter
14.6 miles
663.7 miles from Springer
June 30, 2007
Laurel Creek Shelter to Va 621
13.7 miles
677.4 miles from Springer
July 1, 2007
Va 621 to Cove Mtn.
13 miles
Starting out today I was looking for an early exit because of Sophi’s leg. But just a couple of hours into the day she had walked out of the problem.
690.4 miles from Springer
July 2, 2007
Cove Mtn. to Catawba, Va
8.4 miles
We celebrated by porking out at a grocery store. The owner of the store got us hooked up with a shuttle driver who took us back to Pearisburg.
698.8 miles from Springer
Sophi and I took 2 zero days to celebrate the 4th of July. We went into Blacksburg and toured the Virginia Tech campus and watched a parade down their Main Street.
July 5, 2007
Catawba, Va to Angels Gap
14.7 miles
713.5 miles from Springer
July 6, 2007
Angels Gap to Daleville, Va
5.1 miles
718.6 miles from Springer
July 7, 2007
Daleville, Va to Montvale Overlook
15.5 miles
734.1 miles from Springer
July 8, 2007
Montvale Overlook to Bryant Ridge Shelter
16.3 miles
Strange crew of folks at this shelter. There were about 6 of them. One of them, Slowpoke, we had met at the Rendevouz motel. The other 5 were middle age ladies who, in conversation with us, had completed 3 miles for the day and were contemplating a zero day to recuperate. Wow!
750.4 miles from Springer
July 9, 2007
Bryant Ridge Shelter to Apple Orchard Falls Trail at Sunset Field overlook
7.6 miles
758.0 miles from Springer
