Hampton, VA (USA)

Inclement weather was forecast this morning - it was actually supposed to be raining when I awoke. Hoping to get lucky like I have so many times recently, I left Elizabethton at about 0700 and drove off in search of the AT Trailhead on USFS-293. This place had given me the slip twice before and I had enlisted the help of my friend, Bill (a FS employee) who provided me with some maps. It turned out that I’d actually been in the correct place but had been previously deterred by a fence next to what looked like a private road. Despite the protests of an angry hound, I left the pavement onto gravel and immediately saw road signs that I was going the correct way. I found the trail at 0745 and, relieved that it wasn’t raining yet, headed NOBO into the woods. Almost all the “trees” in the area were rhododendrons. I passed several small waterfalls and a big one called Hardcore Cascades. The temps started in the 50s and crept up into the mid 60s as the morning progressed. The section had looked relatively flat but it turned out to have just as many PUDs as any other - I must have climbed and descended noticeably at least 20 times and rambled through a similar number of switchback series. The trail roughly paralleled US-19E and I got some glimpses of the town of Roan Mountain and the mountain itself to the southwest. I also saw that rain was filling the space between - a wall of water was gradually moving towards me. When I reached the highest point of the hike, the spillover of spray (assisted by the wind) started to hit my left side. I descended into Moreland Gap and it wasn’t so wet - but I knew I’d have to go back into the weather again after I turned around... As I arrived at the shelter, I encountered the first hikers of the day - two Thru hikers who were just leaving towards the north. Talked to one of them for a short time but then bustered back towards my car with minimal delay. After about 30 minutes in the rain on the ridge, I found myself on the northeast side of the hill again - it was dry there and the sun was shining through the high clouds. There was a lot of water in the rhododendron bushes though! I made good time on the way back, motivated by the incoming weather. I passed five more Thru hikers (small talk only) and one weekend backpacker who indicated he might be open to shuttling cars during a future weekend. Finished up my day (with no more rain) at 1155 after 10 miles. Changed quickly and headed home via US-321, TN-67, TN/VA-91 and I-81. Got gas in Dublin (VA) at 1430 and then continued on I-81. Traffic ended up being light - all the way to I-66 - and the weather was good. Best part: I arrived home before dark. Glad I got away for the weekend - making a lot of slow and steady progress on my AT Goal! AT Today = 5.00 miles / G.T. AT = 1383.62 miles