Days 108-110, October 8-10: Shenandoah National Park, Part 1

The AT in Shenandoah National Park is known for great trail conditions, amazing views of the mountains and valleys, waysides and lodges along the Skyline Drive where hikers can indulge in treats such as black raspberry milkshakes. Late in the afternoon on the third day of my hike through Shenandoah the forest was foggy and misty. Light rain had fallen much of the day making the trail a muddy and slick. I had already slipped on a wet rock that afternoon with a bruise on my right thigh to show for it. It was 5pm and time to look for a campsite scanning the leafy forest floor for flat, clear areas sufficient to set up the tent. Before crossing the Skyline Drive one more time I noticed a large area on the left side of the trail looked promising. My forage for a tent site did not take long, and just before I lowered my backpack to the soft, moist, leafy ground I spotted a deer slowly moving away from the vicinity of my home for the night.

I liked this stealthy, forest campsite because it was time to enjoy camping without other hikers too close. The previous two nights I camped at shelters in the company of other hikers on a busy weekend. On October 9 at the Byrds Nest #3 Shelter a young couple decided to start a fire in the fireplace INSIDE the shelter where I was preparing to sleep. I warned them of the smoke from the wet wood but he built the smokey fire anyway. The next morning my lungs could feel it!

In my peaceful camp I am recalling the nice things I experienced and observed in my first three days in Shenandoah National Park. On October 8, the day with the nice weather, I met two five section hikers (4 women hiking northbound, one man southbound). After some conversation I discovered they had a read Wild, and we talked about my experiences with Cheryl Strayed 1995 that led to my trail name, Greg in Wild! Their names are included in the caption to the photo, below.

The highlight on October 9 was meeting my wife’s cousin Herb Kleinegger, on the trail! We arranged rendezvous on the trail and Herb was waiting for me at a high place where he met some of my fellow SOBO thru-hikers while waiting for me. Unfortunately, the weather was not so nice. The view from Marys Rock, where we climbed together, was nothing but fog. Such was the day. But Herb brought many snacks and even two PB&J sandwiches! Thanks Herb!

I enjoyed the trail on October 10 despite the light, intermittent rain. Perhaps the feeling was influenced by the hot chocolate I enjoyed in the Skyland Lodge and the Blackberry Ice Cream Pie at the Big Meadows Lodge. As I lay in my tent, with nice LTE coverage and raindrops popping upon my tent, I hope tomorrow brings more sun than clouds.