Date: Sunday, April 29
Start: Fisher's Gap
End: Milam Gap
Today's miles: 4.2
Total (cumulative) AT miles: 44.3
Time: about 4 hours?
Jen and I went to Toni's "Time to Fly" BBQ on Saturday to send her off to Alaska, Tanya asked us (The Gimpfoot Sisters) what we were doing on Sunday, and then informed us that whatever it was, she was going with us! We were waffling on paddling vs. hiking, then finally decided to hike since the weather wasn't as perfect for paddling as it was for hiking. We were looking forward to some company on this hike.
Jen spent the night with me on Saturday since we both went to Toni's BBQ. We got up early on Sunday and met Tanya and the beagles in Manassas. We took both cars so Jen could drive on home after the hike. Tanya and the two beags rode with me to SNP. We got to meet little Tobi (aka, Tobilina, Travinza, Tobster, etc.). She's the new puppy they just adopted. It was free park week, so we didn't even have to show our passes. It was probably around 9am when we hit the park. We saw some deer and a turkey on the road, but didn't bother with pictures. We were all just anxious to get on the trail. We drove straight to Milam Gap to drop off the Escape, then we all jumped in the Yaris to head back to Fisher's Gap. We stopped at Big Meadows wayside on the way for a pit stop before hitting the trail.
There was still some fog lingering when we started out. It always makes things seem so quiet and peaceful. We had an uphill climb at first headed towards Big Meadows campground. I had forgotten it was uphill. The AT loops around behind the campground. Little Tobi barked at the tents...I guess they looked scary to a little puppy. She is only 6 months old, so there were so many new things to see, hear, smell and bark at. Every time we would run into someone on the trail, she would have to decide whether they were friendly or scary. She barked with such ferocity at the scary ones, but she was soooo cute she just couldn't pull it off.
Once past the campground, we found a couple of very nice views. We stopped and had a snack on the best one and posed for some pics (of course). After our snack break, it was back on the trail. Tanya and the pups jumped a wild turkey hen. Tobi & Tammy wanted to chase it. We passed the Lewis Falls intersection, which was one of Jen's very first hikes a couple of years ago. She's come so far! She just gets stronger and skinnier day after day. We reminisced about that hike so long ago: our first trail bear (Clyde), the falls (Lewis Falls), the baby efts, saving a toad from Rosie. Good times! Then we came to a spring that crossed the trail...Little Tobi's first water crossing! We all watched to see what she would do. Ha! She managed to find a rock and jump over so she wouldn't have to get her feet wet. She has a lot to learn if she's going to be a trail dog!
Very shortly, we came to Tanner's Ridge Cemetery. I knew there was a cemetery there and had always wanted to visit. It's still being used today by the families. There were gravestones from the 1910's up to 2011. I think there were some unmarked graves also that probably pre-dated the 1910's. They were simply marked with small stones. We walked around and checked out the gravestones. It was cool seeing some of the family names that are landmarks in SNP. We saw "Meadows" & "Weakley" (Big Meadows and Weakley Hollow respectively). Tanya laughed at me when I would say "excuse me" as I walked around the graves. Well...no point in pissing off the dead, right? :) We took another long break in the graveyard...the sun was out and the grass was cut and we and the pups decided it was a good place to flake out for a spell.
Four thru-hikers emerged from the AT going northbound. They were looking for the quickest way to the Big Meadows wayside. I think they were day-dreaming about cheeseburgers! A quick check of the PATC app on my iPhone told them they should skip the road through the graveyard and continue north on the AT to the next fire road, then make a right to get up to the wayside. One guy stood next to me to check out the map, and the hiker funk was abundant. I have to admit I wasn't offended, but indeed had a special appreciation for the hiker funk! As they were leaving, one of the women lagged behind to adjust her pack, and that's when little Tobi decided she wanted to go play with said hiker. She tugged the flexi-lead out of Tanya's hand. Well, the problem with flexi-leads is they retract, and the flexi was headed straight for her! To a 6-month old puppy, a big leash handle chasing you is rather scary. I laughed so hard I cried! Little Tobi with the leash chasing her around the graveyard with Tanya chasing both not far behind. Finally, Tobi darted into the woods and the leash snagged so Tanya was able to retrieve her frightened little puppy. After that incident, little Tobi was not quite as brave for the rest of the hike.
After we left the graveyard, the hike to Milam Gap was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. Nice and flat with no rocks. What Jen and I call "the red carpet". :) We reached the Escape in no time, then drove up to Big Meadows wayside for a pit stop and snacks. We saw the funky thru-hikers sitting outside enjoying their cheeseburgers and their gear laid out nearby in the grass to dry. Looks like they got rained on the night before. We waved and said hi. They were grinning from ear to ear. The wayside cheeseburgers are tasty!
After the stop, we picked up Jen's car and drove to Panorama. Then we drove on up to Mathews Arm for picture taking, but alas it was too late in the afternoon and all the wildlife was somewhere napping. We finally gave it up and drove out to Burgers 'n Things for our traditional post-hike burgers.
We've set ourselves up for the weekend of 5/12. We're going to camp at Big Meadows on Friday, 5/11, then get up early and drop the Escape and gear off at the Pocosin Cabin parking, then hike the 8.1 miles to the cabin from Milam Gap. We rented the cabin for Sat night, so we'll get our gear from the Escape and spend the night snug in the cabin. Then Sunday, we're thinking of heading out early and pushing for the 6 or so miles to get to Rt. 33 (Swift Run Gap), which will be a major milestone for us. I'm also keeping an eye on Greenstone & Thimbleberry's AT journal. They are friends of Toni's and are back on the AT section hiking for a month. It looks like they should be fairly close to Pocosin the same weekend we're there...barring any delays. I'd like to do a little trail magic on behalf of Toni (Pigeon) since she's off to Alaska on 5/7.
