Marion, VA (USA)

After realizing this morning that I had a chance to get away for a long weekend, I quickly packed and left NoVA (0800). There were already flurries but I saw blue skies on the western horizon. Started on I-66 and stopped for gas fillup in Haymarket (0850). The trip through the Shenandoah Valley was surprisingly smooth on I-81. I made great time to Wytheville (filled up there at 1235). Switched to I-77 and made the decision to head north toward Bland. During the ten mile drive through the mountain, however, it became clear that there was going to be too much snow on the ground to hike. It was really piling up and all the trailhead options were located on gravel roads. Headed back to I-81 and made my way to Marion (VA-16). Snow still kept falling and I was turned back from using several back roads that I’d hoped would get me close to the AT (because of the accumulation). Eventually located a trailhead on VA-670 (Teas Road) west of Sugar Grove. Started SOBO at 1430 - relieved that I’d found a place where I could hike (but wondering if would be able to get my car out of a snowdrift when I returned). I crossed the nicest bridge (across the South Fork of the Holston River) I’ve ever seen on the AT. It was quiet in the woods and I was glad to return to the solitude of the trail after a week in the City. The snow was wet and sticky but the biting cold wind I’d encountered during my drive had passed. I had a flashback memory to the Winter of 2015, when I hiked half of Pennsylvania in the snow (seems like a million years ago...). About midway through my outbound leg, I started to see lots of footprints (fresh ones) and I kept expecting to see people. However, they headed off across the farm fields and I saw trackless snow again for the rest of my hike. Turned around at the Trimpi Shelter and made it back to my car before 1600 (after just over 5.5 miles). I’d started with only two layers (with a third in reserve) and warmed up nicely by the end. I was annoyed that my phone shut down again before I finished (thanks Apple) but at least I’d taken all my pictures. Because there was almost no elevation, the hike seemed really easy. And the sun made an appearance just after my car started. Drove back to Marion for the night and found a room at the Travel Inn (1755). Ate dinner across the street at Bojangles (1900) and watched football until late. Hoping for some sunny (even if not warm) weather in the morning! AT Today = 2.80 miles / Grand Total AT = 1063.97 miles