Warrenton, VA (USA)

I hoped to seize an opportunity for a hike today, since I was meeting with our team in Warrenton. In the morning, I could actually see the ridges of SNP since it was a clear day - I was really glad I came prepared! Had a productive day and even squeezed in lunch at Wegmans with the staff (1245).  After work, I drove about an hour to the southwest and parked at a trailhead at mile marker 75.2 on Skyline Drive (Pinefield Gap). Quickly changed and headed SOBO (1500). What a great day for the trail! I could see for miles from several vistas and didn't see any people. Wasn't sure how much daylight I actually had, so I had a couple of exits planned (I didn't want to end up hiking with the bears after sunset). This area had actually been closed early in the season because of a forest fire - but I could barely see any evidence of the damage. When I'd had my fill of the rolling hills and valleys, I settled for a (non-AT) trail that took me by an old cabin and spring near Ivy Creek. There I encountered the only people I saw in the woods all day: two SOBO thru hikers. Chatted with them for a short time before heading west, exiting near Loft Mountain Wayside. The AT section I chose today wasn't too long but with the trail back to the road (over half a mile), along with the slightly longer walk back on the road (no shortcuts across the ridge line), I probably hiked about nine miles by the time I reached my car (1815). It was already past sunset at that point but the sun peaking over the ridges on the other side of the Shenandoah Valley kept the road well lit until I started down the east side of the mountain at Swift Run Gap. Uneventful ride home on US-29 (probably easier because it wasn't a weekend...). Gas fillup in Gainesville (2000).  Happy to find a way to squeeze some trail miles in (especially on a weekday) - I can't miss chances to enjoy the great Fall mountain weather! AT Today = 3.90 miles / Grand Total AT = 780.98 miles