Buena Vista, VA (USA)

I went to bed last night without a plan or alarm clock. It has been raining every day this week, so the idea of driving three hours to get soaked wasn't appealing. But when I woke up, the weather had improved enough that I took the gamble... Left home at 0800 and used I-66, US-29 to head south. Got gas in Ruckersville (0955). Then used I-64, US-250 and VA-151, arriving at the AT Trailhead on VA-56 by 1115. It was sunny and pleasant - truly a beautiful day for hiking! I headed SOBO, straight up the north face of The Priest (~3000 foot climb in less than three miles). Right after I reached the summit, the trail went back downhill again... I didn't see any people until I passed the Crabtree Falls (crossing) trail. After that, I saw a steady stream of day hikers and few NOBO thru hikers. Didn't actually talk to many of the people, though, since climbing had sapped my intellect (that's a GOOD thing!)... But it all changed when I passed another section hiker who asked about a crossing road behind me. I gave him the intel (including my hike origin) and turned to go - it was then that the other hiker realized he'd been going in the wrong direction (and had traveled about two miles since he was in the right place). He was lucky to have talked to me - there was almost no one behind me. I later encountered an energetic hiker, "Mambo" (19, from Nashua NH, thru hiking during her "Gap Year"), who asked me lots of questions. She also mentioned how she'd encountered our mutual friend, "Jabba" (AKA "Hiking Viking" - see March 27), several weeks earlier - he must almost be done... She and I chatted for awhile before we both realized the daylight would be a factor. I hiked about another 1.5 miles, to the campground at Spy Rock before turning around. It started to rain (luckily, not hard) and I got it into my head that I'd reach the car quicker if I used the Crabtree Falls Trail. The rain did stop but the detour was not the best idea (apart from the views). Four miles later, in the parking lot of the park, I was fortunate that nice day hikers I'd caught on the way down offered me a ride. It turned out that it was FIVE miles along the road - I definitely wouldn't have made it to my car in the daylight. Serious miscalculation but Trail Magic saved the day for me... Hiked over 16 miles total, even with the ride (finished at 1915) and drove west until I got dinner (McDonalds - 1945). Afterwards, headed to Buena Vista (2035) for the night. More tomorrow! AT Today = 8.70 miles / Grand Total AT = 694.20 miles