Section 5, Appalachian Trail
from: Apple Orchard Falls Trail, 758 miles from Springer.
to: Thornton Gap, 931.8 miles from Springer
July 4, 2008 to July 18, 2008
Section 5 miles: 173.8
This was my fifth section hike. I started at the Sunset Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and ended at Thornton Gap, 931.8 miles from Springer. In all I hiked 173.8 miles. Not too bad.
July 4, 2008
Apple Orchard Falls Trail at Sunset Overlook to Big Cove Branch
I was shuttled out to this drop off by the owner/manager of the Dutchhaus in Montebello, Va. He picked me up at the Afton Inn in Rockfish Gap. He didn’t have much to say about the Afton Inn but clearly wondered why I was staying there. It was a bit pricey but it was spot on the AT and that is why I stayed there. Also, I was able to leave my rental car there. I marked the spot on my GPS as it would be my first major part of this section hike.
Shortly into the hike I passed a rock formation called the Guillotine. It is a large rock wedged into a narrow crevice with the AT passing directly underneath. I met a younger couple, Rock and Old Goat at the Thunder Ridge Shelter. We would cross paths for the rest of the way to Rockfish Gap. They were from South Carolina and were terminating their adventure at Harper’s Ferry. Cleary, the lady was a bit weary of the trail but her husband did a great job of encouraging her.
13.2 miles
771.2 miles from Springer
July 5, 2008
Big Cove Branch to Punchbowl Shelter
Punchbowl Shelter was crowded because of a slight rain that increased during the night. I was fortunate to find a spot near Rock and Old Goat. There was one hiking group that made an impression on me and began to give me a bit of confidence that maybe I wasn’t doing so badly at this sort of adventure. Their leader was down with blisters-bad. After he had fussed with his blisters he began to organize the elaborate dinner for their small group. I warmed up my beef stroganoff in a few minutes, no fuss, opened it and released a wonderful aroma to the group. They were amazed that I could conjure up a quick hot meal that was rather tasty in such a short time. No secret-just a bag of dehydrated food from Mountain House but it is pretty good. I have found that many fellow hikers look down there noses at propane burners (they prefer alcohol) and packaged food (expensive). It works for me. What I also learned on this section (from Razor) was to pack a variety. That really helps because sometimes the appetite shuts down and the variety helps prevent that.
14.6 miles
785.8 miles from Springer
July 6, 2008
Punchbowl Shelter to Cow Camp Gap Shelter
14.7 miles
800.9 miles from Springer
July 7, 2008
Cow Camp Gap Shelter to Montebello, Va
I was picked up by a shuttle driver from the DutchHaus on my way to the DutchHaus. This is a bed/breakfast that my shuttle driver manages in Montebello. The shuttle driver had me confused with another hiker whom we went back and picked up-Razor. Razor is from Tennessee. He is huge but has lost a lot of weight on his hike. He has been hiking on and off with Rock and Old Goat.
A word about the DutchHaus. I dropped about $40 there. That included a nice room with bath, dinner and breakfast-both lavish well-prepared meals. This place was the nicest surprise on the trail.
12.5 miles
813.4 miles from Springer
July 8, 2008
Montebello, Va to Harpers Creek Shelter
Just outside of Montibello I got into a bit of a scrape at Spy Rock. Spy Rock was a spur in the AT and I decided to drop my pack and have a quick look, perhaps capture a photo or two. It turns out that it is a granite capstone surrounded by a forest of trees. I decided against exploring it but was convinced by 3 young hikers that it was worth the effort. They pointed out the access point and I foolishly set off. It turned out to be a bit of rock climbing. If I was younger it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal but I am not able to clamor over rocks very well. When I did reach the top I took a few photos but became disoriented and couldn’t find the way down. I made my best guess (which turned out to be 180° wrong) and began carefully working my way down the steep capstone. Unfortunately I began to slide but after about 10 yards I was able to brake against a rock. When I reached the base I had to fight my way around the circumference through the thick forest. I would move up and down the hill trying to get a clearer pathway, always moving in a clockwise direction. After about 30 minutes I came across the AT, got my pack, and continued. At the next shelter I took lunch and Razor approached. He said he was really glad to see me because they were told by the young hikers that I had climbed Spy Rock but hadn’t come back down yet. He, Old Goat and Rock were surprised to not see me on top of Spy Rock and when they returned, one of the young hikers was ready to phone the park rangers. Of course, when I came out on the AT I should have walked up the spur a couple of hundred yards and let them know that I was back down, but didn’t think to do that. Old Goat asked them to hold off and they would check to see if my pack was still back by the AT. Once they saw it was gone they concluded that I had indeed come off of Spy Rock and continued along the trail.
12.1 miles
825.5 miles from Springer
July 9, 2008
Harpers Creek Shelter to Dripping Rock Parking Area; Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 9.6
12.7 miles
838.2 miles from Springer
July 10, 2008
Dripping Rock Parking Area; Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 9.6 to Rockfish Gap, US 250
The AT enters Rockfish Gap just below the Afton Inn. I was happy to have made it because this meant dinner in a nice restaurant, shower, good sleep, etc. Unfortunately just as I was coming off the trail I encountered a large friendly dog that had been abandoned. He came bounding over to me as if he recognized me. When he saw that I was a stranger it confused him a bit but he began to follow me. Really sad stuff. I led him to the tourist bureau and left him with them to handle.
14.3 miles
852.5 miles from Springer
July 12, 2008
Rockfish Gap, US 250 to Calf Mountain Shelter
I got a late start and stayed at the first shelter. I will never do that again. It does not make sense to stop early. It turned out that the shelter slowly filled to capacity.
Two very young guys joined the trail at this point. They were carrying 50 pound bags and a lot of unnecessary items. But I think that is the way most of us begin the AT. I know I did. My pack wasn’t that heavy but I had a ton of stuff I didn’t need. They got off the trail in a couple of days to regroup and rethink their plan.
6.9 miles
859.4 miles from Springer
July 13, 2008
Calf Mountain Shelter to Blackrock Hut
13 miles
872.4 miles from Springer
July 14, 2008
Blackrock Hut to Pinefield Hut
13.2 miles
885.6 miles from Springer
July 15, 2008
Pinefield Hut to near South River Picnic Grounds
14.6 miles
900.2 miles from Springer
July 16, 2008
Near South River Picnic Grounds to Big Meadows Campground
I stayed in a tent spot at this beautiful campground. A mile and half from me was a restaurant and grocery so that worked out very well. I was able to make my last purchases to get to Thornton Gap. I had made arrangements in Rockfish Gap with a shuttle driver to pick me up at Thornton Gap, July 18 around 2:00pm.
14 miles
914.2 miles from Springer
July 17, 2008
Big Meadows Campground to Pinnacles Picnic Ground
At the lodge I phoned the shuttle driver and asked if he could come around 12 noon if possible.
12.3 miles
926.5 miles from Springer
July 18, 2008
Pinnacles Picnic Ground to Thornton Gap, US 211
I arrived at US 211 at about 10:00 am and my shuttle driver was there. Pretty cool.
This was a good section hike for me. The weather was great. I made pretty good time but I also learned the value of staying with the trail, to maximize the short time I do have available to me. I learned some good things about packing food from Razor and I no longer feel like I’m such a rookie doing this.
5.3 miles
931.8 miles from Springer
