Daleville, VA (USA)

A few years ago, when I was just starting this journey, I discovered that it was 20 miles from VA-311 to US-220. There aren't any roads near the section and I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it without a ride. Another challenge was that I started hiking the AT without a map or trail guide and used a bad pedometer to estimate mileage. So, on one of my first days on the trail (when I climbed the ridge to the west of Daleville and turned around), I really messed up the distance. Now that I've determined I can tackle the section without a shuttle, I decided to "fix" the mileage problem! Left my hotel (no driving required) at 1300 (after a morning of meetings) and headed SOBO. Some of the trail was familiar and it was clear the easy access was known by many other hikers. With the exception of about two hours in the middle of the afternoon, I was almost never alone. The trail took me back to a power line that crackled continuously (last turnaround) and then, on the ridge, gave me beautiful views of the Carvin Cove Reservoir. I hadn't even known that lake was there in all the visits I've made... Down the other slope, I could see Daleville far below me - I almost never lost sight of civilization during the hike. After I'd passed all the climbing rocks (clearly an attraction), I almost couldn't follow the trail because of the deep leaves. I was looking for a turnaround (blue blaze trail with view) and I'm 90% sure I found it... In any case, it will be the turnaround for my next hike in the area (need to use Andy Layne Trail). I was racing the sunset all the way back down! It was hazier near Roanoke, so the view wasn't as good as last night. But the sunlight lasted enough for me to make it back without a flashlight (barely). I hobbled back into my hotel room around 1915, exhausted and sore from almost 14 miles. I walked across the street from my hotel for dinner at Pizza Hut (finished at 2045).  When I did the math on my actual new AT distance, the calculator produced a very unsatisfying result because of the "re-tread"... But I chipped away at some more mileage and know for sure I'm not fat fingering anymore. Gonna try one more morning on the trail before heading home. Do my old bones have what it takes? Stay tuned... AT Today = 3.78 miles / G.T. AT = 872.56 miles