High Tech's '02 Chuck Hike

Calf Mt Shelter
Day: 18-2002
Mileage: 841.8

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
861.4	I-64 overpass (1,902')	1902
861.6	Skyline Drive mp 105.2 (1,902')	1902
862.1	SNP kiosk for self-registration; park entrance station (2,200')	2200
865	McCormick Gap; Skyline Drive mp 102.1 (3,450')	3450
866.3	Bear Den Mountain (2,885')?old tractor seats, vista	2885
866.8	Beagle Gap; Skyline Drive mp 99.5 (2,550')	2550
869	Calf Mountain Shelter (2,700') ?13mS; 13.5mN	2700

06/20/02 3:33 pm

Well I made it out of my second trail town for the trip. Woke up and ate breakfast at Weasie's again. Well to be more correct I at two breakfasts (waffles with bacon and sausage then 2 eggs with ham, country fried potatos and toast). Then I got a ride from Sherrie back to the hotel to finish packing. When I was done I called Sherri but she was taking two hikers to a mall 15 miles away, so I called up the list and hit on my 4th try. Bill Nichols drove me to the trail, small world, he lived in Schenectady (of course he worked for GE) so we had a nice chat, he also worked in computer control. Nice ride and nice man.

The hike here was pretty much a repeat of '96, hot and sunny although a nice breeze is blowing. So far all alone here, but I am sure that will change. I just can't see hiking 13 more miles to the next shelter today, but plan on waking early tomarrow to hike in the cooler part of the day.

06/20/02 8:59 pm

Here with Tin Tin from Austrailia. Nice guy. Befor he showed up I had a good nap, saw a deer and observed her for an hour and cooked dinner. Can't say I like the bear bag arrangement or the privy (it STINKS) but the shelter and company are both good.

Blackrock Hut
Day: 19-2002
Mileage: 854.8

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
869	Calf Mountain Shelter (2,700') ?13mS; 13.5mN	2700
869.6	Spring (2,200')	2200
870	SNP southern boundary; Jarman Gap; Skyline Drive mp 96.9 (2,173')	2173
870.2	Spring (2,150')	2150
871.8	Sawmill Run Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 95.3 (2,200')	2200
873.4	Turk Gap; Skyline Drive mp 94.1 (2,600')	2600
875.4	Skyline Drive mp 92.4 (3,100')	3100
879.5	Skyline Drive mp 88.9 (2,350')	2350
881.3	Blackrock Gap; Skyline Drive mp 87.4 (2,321')	2321
881.5	Skyline Drive mp 87.2 (2,700')	2700
882	Blackrock Hut (2,645')?13.5mS; 13.5mN	2645

06/21/02 2:06 pm

Just arrived at the shelter. Not 15 min. ago I saw my first BEAR! It was above the trail and went over the top when is saw/heard me. It was wearing a white id collar, but I didn't see any id number on it. Of course it happened so quickly I couldn't get a photo.

06/21/02 8:14 pm

Here with 2 thru hikers (tenting), and 3 short timers including Bob who is a comidian (professional) and an Austrialian who is doing the AT in SNP.

It dosen't seen like my bear sighting is that unusual, 4 others saw the smae bear in the same spot.

After arriving here earier, I took a good long nap. I still do not know why I am so tired after only a few miles.

Did find a black snake hanging off the back wall of the shelter (on the outside), but it bowdes well for few if any mice tonight.

06/22/02 8:23 am

Last night was a scream, Bob kept making comments about a wip-o-will that wouldn't shut up and I thought I would split a gut. Cool night, wish I would have gon outside and did some star gazing, but couldn't bring myself to get out of the sleeping bag.

Bob woke early this morning and got the rest of us up (of course the wip-o-will was going too).

Last one in camp now, just cant seem to get going this morning. Hope there is room in the campground or I will be forced to do 13 for the day. Well see.

Pinefield Hut
Day: 20-2002
Mileage: 867.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
882	Blackrock Hut (2,645')?13.5mS; 13.5mN	2645
882.6	Blackrock (3,100')?open rocky summit	3100
883.6	Skyline Drive mp 84.3 (2,800')	2800
884.9	Dundo Group Campground (2,700')	2700
885.1	Browns Gap; Skyline Drive mp 82.9 (2,600')	2600
886	Skyline Drive mp 82.2 (2,800')	2800
886.4	Doyles River Parking Area; Skyline Drive mp 81.9 (2,800')	2800
887.3	Doyles River Cabin (locked); Skyline Drive mp 81.1 (2,900')	2900
889.4	+Loft Mountain Campground (3,300')	3300
890.5	Frazier Discovery Trail to Loft Mountain Wayside (2,950')	2950
891.2	Loft Mountain (3,200')	3200
891.5	Spring (2,950')	2950
893.6	Ivy Creek Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 77.5 (2,800')	2800
895.2	Pinefield Hut (2,430')?13.5mS; 8.4mN	2430

06/22/02 9:19 pm

Well today has been a great day. Started off with Bob telling jokes. I woke early to Bob and the wip-o-will and got a very slow start to say the least. It was near 9am when I started hiking. Saw Del Doc going south from Black Rock Overlook then spent a few minutes there looking around. Started talking to an older lady and learned she was Del Doe (Del Doc's wife). we had a good conversation all the way to the car. Then I was hiking behind two hikers from last night (the ausi and his friend). I followed them all the way to Loft Mountain. I broke from them there and got a shower and did some laudry. Then I whent and ate ate the wayside. I had a cheese burger combo, hot dog, chocolate milk and a bowl of ice cream. Then I hiked to the shelter, wich was very easy hiking. Met a thru hiker who was slackpacking with some freinds and got a cookie and an apple (trail majic #1). Then I get to camp and there are 4 people here. They had hot dogs for an army so I ate 4! They also gave me a wine cooler. Then two more people showed up, a father and his son who was about 5. All the weekenders knew them from last night and it was like being included in a family. It was great. The only thing bad about today is that the shower i took at Loft Mnt didn't last and my stomach is having a problem with real food (as I expected it would).

Good day. Good Night Great people!

[Mike and Dominic (father and son, were great to be around, boy that kid loves starwars)]

06/23/02 2:37 pm

One story I forgot to write; as I was walking from the wayside back to the AT I ran into a guided nature walk. After the ranger was done talking she asked if I would like to pass the group and I said yes. On my way by she asked it I was going all the way to Maine and I answered "No, I'm only going to PA" at wich point one of the people stared to laugh, "Oh ONLY to PA". I guess it is funny to a person taking a one mile nature walk that I am ONLY hiking some 300 miles!

Hightop Hut
Day: 21-2002
Mileage: 876.2

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
895.2	Pinefield Hut (2,430')?13.5mS; 8.4mN	2430
895.4	Pinefield Gap; Skyline Drive mp 75.2 (2,590')	2590
897.3	Simmons Gap; Skyline Drive mp 73.2 (2,250')	2250
900.6	Powell Gap; Skyline Drive mp 69.9 (2,294')	2294
901	Little Roundtop Mountain (2,700')	2700
902.2	Smith Roach Gap; Skyline Drive mp 68.6 (2,600')	2600
903.4	Hightop Hut (3,175')?8.4mS; 12.6mN	3175

06/23/02 8:04 pm

Here at the shelter with6 others, 2 section hikers the rest going all the way (including Relax from Isreal).

Uneventful day today except that I think I saw more dear than people. Even saw my first Doe and Faun, but as usual I couldn't get a photo.

Got out of camp really late this morning, more trail majic from my "family": oatmeal, pancakes and virginia ham. Mmmm Good!

Took a nap on they way here too, still tired all the time.

No see-ums are plentiful here!

Lewis Mt Campground
Day: 22-2002
Mileage: 887.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
903.4	Hightop Hut (3,175')?8.4mS; 12.6mN	3175
903.9	Spring (3,450')	3450
904	Hightop Mountain (3,587')	3587
905.5	Skyline Drive mp 66.7 (2,650')	2650
906.8	U.S. 33; Swift Run Gap; Skyline Drive mp 65.5; Spotswood Trail (2,367')Elkton, Va. 22827	2367
909.8	South River Parking Area, Picnic Grounds (3,200')	3200
913.1	Pocosin Cabin (locked) (3,150')	3150
913.4	Spring (3,100')	3100
915.1	+Lewis Mountain Campground and Cabins; Skyline Drive mp 57.6 (3,500')	3500

06/24/02 3:51 pm

Well the hike here has ok, but it is a little more humid today. Still get way to winded when I hike.

Ended up renting a cabin here. It is expensive ($68) but I get private bath with a shower and a REAL BED! I need the comfort, last night I got little sleep due to ackes and pains. The Shower felt great and now doing laudry while annother hiker (Cheff-at least that is what I named him last night) uses my shower.

No great overviews today, but 2 ok ones. Looking forward to bologna sandwiches for dinner and a good night sleep.

Rock Spring Hut
Day: 23-2002
Mileage: 900.3

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
915.8	Bearfence Mountain Hut (3,110') ?12.6mS; 11.8mN	3110
918.4	Bootens Gap; Skyline Drive mp 55.1 (3,243')	3243
919.3	Hazeltop (3,812')	3812
921.2	Milam Gap; Skyline Drive mp 52.8 (3,300')	3300
922.1	Spring (3,380')	3380
922.9	Lewis Spring; Big Meadows Wayside; Harry F. Byrd Sr. Visitor Center (3,390')	3390
923.8	Big Meadows Lodge; +Big Meadows Campground (3,500')	3500
924.4	David Spring (3,490')	3490
925.4	Fishers Gap; Skyline Drive mp 49.3 (3,050')	3050
927.3	Rock Spring Hut and (locked) Cabin (3,465') ?11.8mS; 11.1mN	3465

06/25/02 8:57 pm

Well, I awoke this morning fairly well rested (I awoke once for about 45 min) and showered and then whent to the store for breakfast. Had coffee, 2 bannana muffins and juice. Got started very late on a hot day, but the hiking was very easy (especially after the one big climb (Hazel Top), the trail was so strieght and level you could see a long way down the trail - see photo). Got to Big Medows and whent into the resturant to be informed they closed 15 min before, so I hiked down to the wayside and had a great meal of spegetti and meatballs with garlic bread, a milkshake and ice tea. Then, with the threat of a thundershower, I hiked tothis shelter. On Rain ever fell. I wasn't that hungry but some short timers gave me some noodles and sauce wich served as a light dinner.

So may deer around here it is not funny. Got a photo of one infront of a "revegitation area" sign..hope it turns out.

Mice in the shelter are numberous. already had one in a pack here (not mine). Roumor says there is a rat too. Did get a photo of the mice!

One persone here is "Baltemore Jack" who has hiked 7 times! His claim to fame is that he discovered the dead guy in the Hotel in Duncannon!

Well time to get some sleep if the heat and mice will let me.

06/26/02 9:28 am

Well the mice were a very big annoance last night. There must have been at least a dozen of them. They woke me up at least 5 times. No Rats thank G_d!

Off to a very late start with a 15 mile day coming up. Still hot but a little less humid (but not by much).

Skyland
Day: 24-2002
Mileage: 904.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
927.6	Trail to Hawksbill Mountain, Byrd's Nest #2 Picnic Shelter (3,600')	3600
928.6	Hawksbill Gap; Skyline Drive mp 45.6 (3,361')	3361
929	Trail to Crescent Rock Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 44.4 (3,450')	3450
931.1	Skyland Service Road (south); horse stables (3,550')	3550
931.9	Skyland Service Road (north) (3,790')... best access to Skyland	3790

06/26/02 7:20 pm

OK, I got sucked into civilization. Started hiking late, around 10am. Got here just as lunch was being served so I ate a pizza and then decided not to start hiking until the food settled. Well the clouds were building for an afternoon storm and the thought of a real dinner and sheets did me in, I decided to stay. Good thing because there were a few drops as I went down to the cabin and a big thunderstorm an hour latter. But I was nice and compfy on the bed taking a nap (until thunder awoke me). Just got back from dinner. I had Prime Rib with a baked potato and home made bread. I also indulged in a desert of an apple crip ala mode (more like an apple bread pudding than a crips but it was good and filling too!)

Plan tomarrow is to wake up before 7:30, pack and then go eat breakfast and be on the trail before 8:30, we will see if that happens!

Pass Mt Hut
Day: 25-2002
Mileage: 915.6

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
931.9	Skyland Service Road (north) (3,790')... best access to Skyland	3790
932.3	Trail to Stony Man Mountain summit (3,837')	3837
933.9	Hughes River Gap; Trail to Stony Man Mountain Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 38.6 (3,097')	3097
936.1	Pinnacles Picnic Ground; Skyline Drive mp 36.7 (3,390')	3390
936.2	Trail to Jewell Hollow Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 36.4 (3,350')	3350
937.2	The Pinnacle (3,730')	3730
938.2	Byrds Nest #3 Hut (3,290')?11.1mS; 4.6mN	3290
938.9	Meadow Spring (3,100')	3100
939.5	Mary's Rock (3,514')?vista	3514
941.4	U.S. 211; Thornton Gap, Panorama Skyline Drive mp 31.5 (2,307') Luray, Va. 22835	2307
942.6	Pass Mountain Hut (2,690') ?4.6mS; 13.5mN	2690

06/27/02 9:27 pm

Today was a good day. Woke at 6am and packed up and was out by 7am. Did NOT eat breakfast at the resturant wich helped with the early start.

The day started cool and breezy. Made it to Birds Nest #3 by 10:30 where I stoped for a hot lunch of ramen and a long break.

Then the next part up to Mary's Rock had some nice views. Took the side trail to Mary's Rock wich was well worth it. It was almost as good as Spy Rock. It stared getting hot on the way down however.

Then I got to Panarama, the resutrant was closed (as the trail Registers warned) but I filled up with lemonaid and junk food. Stayed for some time and it looked like rain, so I stayed longer. It poored but I was dry. The rain cooled things off a bit. I started hiking after 5:30pm when the store closed and got here with little problem (only sliped a few times on wet rocks).

Overall a good day!

Gravel Springs Hut
Day: 26-2002
Mileage: 928.8

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
943.4	Pass Mountain (3,052')	3052
944.5	Skyline Drive mp 28.6 (2,490')	2490
944.8	Beahms Gap; Skyline Drive mp 28.5 (2,490')	2490
944.9	Byrds Nest #4 Picnic Shelter (2,600')	2600
949.5	Spring (2,600')	2600
950	Elkwallow Gap; Elkwallow Wayside Skyline Drive mp 23.9 (2,480')	2480
950.8	Range View Cabin (locked) (2,950')	2950
951.5	Rattlesnake Point Overlook Skyline Drive mp 21.9 (3,100')	3100
952.1	Tuscarora Trail (southern terminus) to +Matthews Arm Campground (3,400')	3400
952.5	Skyline Drive mp 21.1 (3,350')	3350
952.7	Hogback Third Peak (3,400')	3400
952.8	Skyline Drive mp 20.8 (3,350')	3350
953	Hogback Second Peak (3,475')	3475
953.2	Spring (3,250')	3250
953.3	Hogback First Peak (3,390')	3390
954	Little Hogback Overlook; Skyline Drive mp 19.7 (3,000')	3000
954.1	Little Hogback Mountain (3,050')	3050
954.6	Skyline Drive mp 18.9 (2,850')	2850
955.7	Gravel Springs Hut (2,480') ?13.5mS; 10.7mN	2480

06/28/02 9:54 pm

Well today was a LONG day. Woke up early, but noone else stired for an hour or two. Finaly got up anyway! Everyone got up befor "The Griswalls" (A father and 2 daughters who were out for a week and were always intertaining) were woken up by fireworks out side there tent. It was no surprise, they were told the night before that it was going to happen.

Started hiking late, around 10am. My right foot (outside of my foot between the ankle and heel) was killing me. Also had the FARTS so bad I felt I was going to explode. If anyone would have hiked behind me today they would have gotten quite a concert!

Go to Elkwallow Gap Wayside and was feeling a little better. Had a cheeseburger combo, the last for SNP and vegged out for a long while. A Ranger came and talked to me and the other hikers for a while and even checked my permit. No prroblems though. It did threaten to rain, but never did. Ended up leaving at 5pm or so after getting free fuel fillup (thanks to the staff)! Got to the shelter just befor dark, big warning about rats in the shelter, so I decided to bivey. The camp sites here suck! Up a terrible path, none are flat and all are the size of a small child! Barily able to fit my bivey on any of the sites!

My stomach is still feeling wierd, I hope it was from the stuff I have eaten (potato chips, soads, cheeseburgers, candybars ect) and not the water. It might also be the amount of 'Vitamin I' I have been taking, wont be a problem tomarrow, I only have two left (this could be bad)!

[camped with Buckshot]

Tom Floyd 'Wayside'
Day: 27-2002
Mileage: 939.3

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
955.7	Gravel Springs Hut (2,480') ?13.5mS; 10.7mN	2480
955.9	Gravel Springs Gap; Skyline Drive mp 17.7 (2,666')	2666
957	South Marshall Mountain (3,212')	3212
957.5	Skyline Drive mp 15.9 (3,050')	3050
958.2	North Marshall Mountain (3,368')	3368
959.1	Hogwallow Spring (2,950')	2950
959.7	Hogwallow Gap; Skyline Drive mp 14.2 (2,739')	2739
961.4	Jenkins Gap; Skyline Drive mp 12.3 (2,400')	2400
962.3	Compton Springs (2,700')	2700
962.7	Compton Peak (2,909')	2909
963.5	Compton Gap; Skyline Drive mp 10.4 (2,550')	2550
963.8	Indian Run Spring (2,350')	2350
965.3	Compton Gap Horse Trail; Trail to Chester Gap (2,350')	2350
965.5	Possums Rest Overlook, SNP kiosk for self-registration, SNP northern boundary (2,300')	2300
966.2	Tom Floyd Wayside (1,900') ?10.7mS; 8.1mN	1900

06/29/02 3:44 pm

Well I am out of SNP! Made it here a while ago and went down, down, down, down for water. Just a trickle coming out of the spring. Stayed there a half hour came back with maybe a quart. Luckly I have a quart I pumped from Compton Spring..

Hot hiking today! Also when you exit SNP the trail goes to shit for about 0.3 miles. Streight down, rocks, rocks and more rocks and most loose. I almost fell a few times.

Digressding for one moment, this morning I had a little adventure getting my pack down from the bear pole. It seems the bees thought it was the find of a lifetime. There were some 30 bees on or around my pack. I was able to get it down and convice the bees to leave without being stung. Also, right after the bee incident, two mainainers showed up to work on the hut. I talked to them and yes there are rats in the hut, but they cant get rid ofthem because they are 'wood rats' wich they said were are oin endnagered species list so they can't be killed. The NPS told them they would attempt to live trap them soon.

Back to the present, this is a neat shelter. The book says it was the first with a deck. It is a shame the water source is so bad, since they spent so much time and effort to build this premo shelter.

06/29/02 8:57 pm

This is a different shelter experiance, there a 4 women (Tooty and Pooty [Minus eddie the wonder dog] and Jesica (Turtle Soldur) and Lauren who are hiking for Habitat for Humanity www.habitatlb.org/AThike) here and 2 other men (who dont hang around the shelter much). I will admit the conversation is much more intelligent! Talk of social reform, housing issues, homessness, not the sports scores and mocho stuff. It is a nice change of pace.

Front Royal, VA
Day: 28+29-2002
Mileage: 942.4

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
966.2	Tom Floyd Wayside (1,900') ?10.7mS; 8.1mN	1900
967.2	Northern Virginia 4-H Swimming Pool (1,350')	1350
967.7	Va. 602 (1,150')	1150
969.1	U.S. 522 (950') Front Royal, Va. 22630	950

06/30/02 10:36 pm

What a day! Hiked down from the shelter to the road. Nothing spectacualr to report except that I did meet the local ridge runner Rocks (2000 thru hiker). When I hit the road, I changed my shirt and stuck out my thumb, a pickup going the wrong direction did a u-ey and picked me up and drove me into the Blue Ridge Motel. After waiting to make sure I could get a room, they then offered to cook dinner for me. I took a swim in the pool, took a shower, watched my favorite motie (Apollo 13) then did my laundry and ate lunch at Arbey's. Then, as promised, Randy picked me up at 7pm and took me out to their place. Randy and Cookie Day were the best. Nice folks. I declare them true "Trail Angles!" I MUST send them a thank you when I get home. I can't belive my luck!

Along with them, their neigbors were there. Good company, terrific food and GREAT PEOPLE! There was steak, salid, potatoes and ice cream. Someone nearby was also setting off fireworks! Again, I can't belive my luck!!!

This was The Best trail majic I have ever gotten!!!

07/01/02 11:33 pm

Well took the day off, all I did was eat, sleep, eat, get a cab to Lynden to get my mail drop, swim, eat and soon back to sleep. Needed the day off and time to heal a bit (right ankle still bugging me). Talked to mom and dad tonight as well. tomarrow I start on the final leg of my trip. Weather report says HOT!

'02 Hike Map