Bland, VA (USA)

The day started out at about 18 degrees with light snow on my car but the sun was shining and it wasn’t too windy. Wanted to get some miles before heading home (had decided not to hike on January 1) so I got breakfast at DQ in Bland (0945) and then drove out to the trailhead on VA-42, west of town (same one as yesterday morning). Headed SOBO at 1000, wearing four layers (with one in reserve). It was much colder than I liked - reservoir started to freeze immediately. I was warm but I was also sweating and some of the drops fell on my clothes and beard and froze immediately. I walked across several miles of private farm and ranch land (with great views) - the cows, horses, sheep and goats looked at me like I was crazy... Off in the distance, a clear frost line was visible on the higher peaks (much more snow). After I crossed a small creek (evidence of beavers) near an old grist mill (it was falling down), I made my way to VA-610 on the Bland-Smyth County Line. At that point, I took a look at the conditions and decided to head back to the car. While I could have gone farther, the hiking wasn’t really fun anymore. Plus, there was a parking area where I could return and knock out the rest of try section on a warmer day. Used the road to get back to the grist mill and then backtracked to VA-42. Finished at 1200 after 5 miles. Got a gas fillup on Bland at 1250 and then used I-77 to I-81, then I-66.  Stopped for gas in Haymarket (1645).  Mollie came over to spend some time with me after I arrived home.  Happy with the hiking trip - closed some loose ends on the AT, met some nice people and finished 2017 on the trail. Happy New Year everyone! AT Today = 2.30 miles / G.T. AT = 1061.17 miles