Days 111-113, October 11-13: Shenandoah National Park, Part 2

The Shenandoah National Park is one of my favorite places along the AT. I say this despite the rain and clouds that obscured most the views of distance ridges and valleys. I continue to make good progress on the trail largely because of excellent trail and cool weather. The only problem I had involves my feet, which have grown larger beyond the shoe size 13-wide. Both big toes were bleeding. I will soon switch to size 14-wide. Yikes! Growing feet is common among long distance hikers. The temperature has been mild and only slightly chilly in the evening, night and early mornings even when it rained. On October 13 the weather changed and it became warmer especially in the afternoon as I hiked 20.7 miles to Rockfish Gap.  This was the end of the section through Shenandoah National Park.  I was sad to leave it because the mountains and forest were such a pleasure to walk through. 

Some of my observations:

An Eastern Towhee appeared in the foliage below the trees. This bird is the eastern cousin to the Spotted Towhee, my favorite bird in Oregon.

Deer were numerous and they quietly ran away once they heard or saw me nearby.

My notes on October 13: In a sunny clearing of dead standing trees I hear the call of a bird.  It looks like a blue Jay, but I am not certain.  As I climb toward 3,000 feet, the highest of the day I see several squirrels moving through the forest floor gathering nuts among the golden leaves of autumn on the ground. I feel the cool moisture of the shady forest and welcome it as the sweat drips from my forehead during the 1,000 foot ascent.

Summary of the past three days:

Day 111, 11-Oct. Milepost: 1288.6 miles, Daily: 20.5, Ascent: 3660′, Descent: 4290′, Highest: 3795′. Camp: 0.7m south of Smith Roach Gap, Shenandoah NP,  2580′. Rain stopped, sun appeared and lifted spirits while hiking 20 miles to a well hidden stealth camp.

Day 112, 12-Oct. Milepost: 1308.1 miles, Daily: 19.5, Ascent: 3915′, Descent: 3890′, Highest: 3355′. Camp: Blackrock Hut, Shenandoah NP 2595′. Overnight rain (again) ended and much nicer weather prevailed allowing a few nice views.  Had nice talk with section hikers at the hut.  I camped in my tent.

Day 113,13-Oct. Milepost: 1328.8 miles, Daily: 20.7, Ascent: 3955′, Descent: 4730′, Highest: 3080′, Town: Waynesboro, VA.. Started hiking at 5:45am; sunny and warm in afternoon as I hiked to Rockfish Gap for NERO in Waynesboro.

See my real-time location produced by the InReach unit I carry and a daily log of my progress on the trail.

This time of year we expect the trees to display fall colors. From a distance the trees are still green. But the best fall colors are on the ground where I carefully watch every footstep to avoid tripping on rocks or sticks. The photos are the fall colors of the AT in Shenandoah National Park.