Elkton, VA (USA)

[I wanted to arrive at the entrance to SNP right when it opened (fee free day) so I left the hotel very early. Picked up breakfast at McDonalds in Verona, 0715). Sunrise over Massanutten was beautiful... Had to drive around an hour (via I-81 and US-33) but got there right on time for Skyline Drive to open (0800). It seemed like I was in luck - the gate was open! After is driven about a mile northbound, though, I began to wonder why... The road was barely plowed and it was obvious that no one should be using it with the limited guard rails and icy turnarounds. It is at times like these when I'm very happy to have a standard - my little car climbed and descended like a champ - I never even used brakes! However, I realized I would not be able to hike (or even park) anywhere. While stopped at my intended trailhead, I was startled to see three plows coming towards me. The driver of the first looked confused by my presence on the Drive and told me "you don't want to keep going north - the road is closed up ahead". I made a comment that I was surprised they opened the gate to the south but he just shrugged... After the first two trucks passed, I made a three point turn attempt and made a fool of myself (spinning tires, useless brakes) for the third. I nearly got stuck, until I remembered to turn the front wheels in the direction where I wanted to go. The resulting fish tail worked out and I made it back to the entrance gate without further incident (whew). I decided to hike back into the park. When I got out of my car (0945), the Internet forecasted temperature of 14 degrees was confirmed. Glad I had three layers on! After about a mile of trudging through snow up a big hill, I added a fourth. I had icicles on my beard, eyebrows and eyelashes (everything else was covered) within an hour. My water reservoir also froze (until I stowed the tubing in my backpack). It was windy and there was at least one inch of snow - nothing has melted like it had further to the south. But it was sunny all day and I was bundled up OK. I'd started NOBO without a particular destination in mind - I just kept walking until I'd covered over six miles! At that point, I hoped to find a good turnaround point (one I could remember) - I did when I located the Pocosin Cabin. After a short walk to the West, I hiked back on the road (much more icy than in the AM) - never saw any people during my nearly 13 mile trek until the very end. I encountered an underdressed family of four (small kids), carrying bags of food, hiking up Skyline Drive. They didn't seem to speak English, so I will never know what they were doing... For my part, I was VERY glad to get back to my car! After getting some gas a short distance away (Elkton, 1345), it took me a change of clothes, about an hour in the highest heat setting and some food to feel normal again. I stopped at my friend James' house in Warrenton to watch a Premier League (soccer) match and then headed home. It was a great weekend! I'd almost forgotten how good a hike makes me feel - it definitely clears my brain for better things. I guess I'm ready for work again now... AT today = 6.40 miles / G.T. AT = 607.10 miles]