High Tech's '02 Chuck Hike

Johns Hollow Shelter
Day: 9-2002
Mileage: 763

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
784.4	Lower Rocky Row Run Bridge (740')	740
785.3	Rocky Row Run (760')?campsites along creek	760
785.4	Va. 812, USFS 36 (825')	825
786	Johns Hollow Shelter (1,020') ?3.9mS; 9mN	1020

06/11/02 12:15 pm

Got to here about a half hour ago and it is just too hot to hike up that bighill right now!

Had a good night in Glasgow. Great town for hikers everything is so close as shown below:

                Lib |
                    |
                    |
                    |
                  P |
                  G |         the main road
--------------------+------------------------
   L     HR     GD

L - laundry
H - Hotel
R - Resuraunt
G - Grocery
D - Deli
P - Post office
Lib- Library winth internet

Had a good breakfast at the resturant and check out. Asked about a ride to the trail and picked up the phone and said he will be here in a few minutes. Got fuel, finished packing and he was waiting for me. Nice ride back to the trail.

Did see BugBite before I left and asked here how it was going and she replied "awful" and left. G_d help her get back on the trail!

06/11/02 2:37 pm

Just woke up and saw a very young deer, it didn't have spots but was just at the age to loose them I am sure. Slept for about 1.5 hours, what else is there to do in this heat?

06/11/02 8:51 pm

Joined by three thru hikers and three kidds (Chis, Styx and Tipsy) hiking from Damasscus to the end of VA. Still hot but cooling off. Hoping to wake up early tomarrow and get moving in the cool of the day.

According to the register there is trail majic at VA 39 (aprox 3 miles after the next shelter. He serves Breakfast and Dinner. We'll see.

Punchbowl Shelter
Day: 10-2002
Mileage: 771.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
786	Johns Hollow Shelter (1,020') ?3.9mS; 9mN	1020
788	Rocky Row Trail (2,400')	2400
788.1	Fullers Rocks, Little Rocky Row (2,486')	2486
789.1	Big Rocky Row (2,974')	2974
790.6	Saddle Gap, Saddle Gap Trail (2,600')	2600
791.7	Saltlog Gap (south) (2,573')	2573
793.2	Bluff Mountain (3,391')?Ottie Cline Powell Memorial	3391
794.3	Punchbowl Mountain (2,850')	2850
794.8	Punchbowl Shelter (2,500')?9mS; 9.7mN	2500

06/12/02 9:06 am (Saddle Gap Trail Intersection)

Woke at 5:44am and hiked 4.6 miles before 9am. Great view of the valley and mnts beyond. I could even see the Radar installation on Apple Orchard! Glad I waited to do the uphill this morning!

P.S. When I awoke there were probably double the people around the shelter as there were when I went to sleep.

06/13/02 7:36 am

Well I got here pretty early and feeling fairly well, but then all of the sudden I felt like crap! I was realy tired and had no energry. I fell asleep about 3 times and finaly had the strenght to get up and eat. Had a great time with too thru hikers who werent married, but should be, they sure acted like it. Completed each other sentances, argued, ect ect.

Well after eating dinner, I felt better still, but then the bugs came. even with the bivey I got little sleep and still dont feel that great this morning.

The big news on the trail is the forest fire. I have been told they have closed the section of the trail south of the foot bridge over the James.

Well I will try to hike to the next shelter today (relatively flat but 9 miles) and see how I feel.

This shelter is the most picturesque of the shelters, with the pond and the trees and all. The crazy frogs sure made for some interesting night music too.

Brown Mt Creek Shelter
Day: 11-2002
Mileage: 780.7

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
795.2	Punchbowl Mountain Crossing; BRP mp 51.7 (2,170')	2170
795.5	Va. 607, Robinson Gap Road (2,100')	2100
797.4	Rice Mountain (2,169')	2169
799.3	USFS 39 (990')	990
799.4	Pedlar River Bridge (970')	970
802.3	USFS 38, Swapping Camp Road (1,000')	1000
804.3	Brown Mountain Creek Shelter (1,395') ?9.7mS; 6.2mN	1395

06/13/02 3:13 pm

Well got up this morning, still not feeling the best, but started hiking. It was a fairly easy hike today with just some little ups and lots of down. Got down to FS39 and got some Trail Majic from a couple that does it for a week at a time (he thruhiked a log time ago and they honymooned at Puchbowl shelter). Didnt get the full treatment because I got there as they were packing up, but still got 3 ice teas and two cheese sandwiches.

The hike around the reservoir was not much, and the rest of the hike to the shelter was easy. Everyone here trying trying to stay cool and get a nap in the heat. G_d it's HOT, DAMN HOT!

I dont think I would have made it here if it weren't for the trail majic.

Oh yea, a big school group was just crossing the spillway when I got there. Must have been 20 people. So much from a 6 member group max.

06/13/02 7:06 pm

More trail majic: two day hikers come in from the Natural Bridge Hiking club: Flash and Hotflash who hiked back in 86. Even though they were carying fanny packs, they pulledout sodas (1/2 can for everyone) and a pound cake. Made for a nice desert to my speggetti, sauce and pepperoni.

Most everyone is camped by the creek. Bugbite showed up, so she is hiking again. Did have to bypass the part from were she hitched out to the James river due to the fire.

Still DAMN HOT!!!!

Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Mileage: 786.4
06/14/02 12:36 pm (Cold Mnt)

I think today is the weirdest hiking weather I have ever had. It started off VERY HOT and HUMID with the look of rain in the sky above. Started hiking and almost sweat to death. Still no rain. Then I noticed a change in temperature, it got so cool I was afraid to stop hiking because when I did I would get way to cold.

Decided to skip the shelter (Cow Camp Gap) and go on 2.2 more miles to spring and campsite.

Now sitting ontop of Cold Mountain. This is a nice spot, you could call it a bald. The sun is peaking out of the clouds some time and there is a red tail hawk flying around.

Other thank being soaked from sweat, I feel very good, but this spot is so beatiful, I hate to leave!

Hog Camp Gap
Mileage: 788.9
06/14/02 3:43 pm

Talk about coincidence, I came into the field and met a man and a woman, the woman introduced herself as 'Trail Snail' from 1996. At that point I realized that she was THE Trail Snail that someone was refering to in an argument with the Trail Snail (aka Snail No More) in wich the person said he had to change his trail name because it was already taken. He was going to change it anyway but thats rediculous. Anyway she said when she heard about it she was imbarised (you see it was a friend of her's who objected). I told her the she should contact Snail No More and tell him that.

We also started comparing notes on who we knew back in 96. Just cant believe what a small world it is.

Nice water source down the road from here so I stoped for an early dinner (Rammen Noodles and penutbutter crackers). Thinking about moving on though. Feel good and there are still 4 more hours of daylight. Well see.

Wolf Rock
Day: 12-2002
Mileage: 794

[note profiles from 2016...must have been a relocation here....milages do not match]

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
795.2	Punchbowl Mountain Crossing; BRP mp 51.7 (2,170')	2170
795.5	Va. 607, Robinson Gap Road (2,100')	2100
797.4	Rice Mountain (2,169')	2169
799.3	USFS 39 (990')	990
799.4	Pedlar River Bridge (970')	970
802.3	USFS 38, Swapping Camp Road (1,000')	1000
804.3	Brown Mountain Creek Shelter (1,395') ?9.7mS; 6.2mN	1395
806.1	U.S. 60, Lexington Turnpike (2,060') Long Mountain Wayside?picnic tables Buena Vista, Va. 24416 Lexington, Va. 24450	2060
808.9	Bald Knob (4,059')	4059
809.9	Old Hotel Trail (3,428') Cow Camp Gap Shelter?6.2mS; 10.8mN	3428
811.1	Cole Mountain (4,022')	4022
812.4	USFS 48, Wiggins Spring Road (3,485') Hog Camp Gap	3485
813.3	Tar Jacket Ridge (3,840')	3840
814.6	USFS 63, Va. 634, Salt Log Gap (north) (3,290')	3290
815.8	USFS 246 (3,500')	3500
816.3	Greasy Spring Road (3,600')	3600

06/14/02 9:08 pm

Made it here and couldnt hike no more. sill a 13 mile day. After the initial heat and the crazy weather it turned into a great day to hike. I didn't want to waste the hiking weather!

Found a good site here to camp, but no water. Wasa able to cook donner, but have little left for breakfast.

Theatening to rain, but only a few drops so far.

Here with one other, but as ususal I can't remember his name.

He did tell me how Sir Lady James got his trail name. He was in a bar early in his hike and said he would wear a dress in the next town for $100, but as the evening went on and more drinks whent in it went down to $10. And he did wear the dress in the next town. Hence the name..

06/15/02 7:46 am

Well it rained only a few drops last night, but it was cold! Woke up and had a hard time getting out of the bivey. Temperature now is OK but the wind chill is freezing. Must get moving...out of water!

The Priest Shelter
Day: 13-2002
Mileage: 803.1

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
818.2	North Fork of Piney River (3,500')	3500
819.4	Elk Pond Branch (3,750')	3750
820.1	Seeley?Woodworth Shelter (3,770') ?10.8mS; 6.6mN	3770
821.2	Porters Field (3,650')	3650
822.4	Spy Rock Road (3,454')Montebello, Va. 24464	3454
822.9	Spy Rock (3,680')	3680
823.7	Cash Hollow Rock (3,550')	3550
825	Cash Hollow Road (3,280')	3280
825.8	Va. 826, Crabtree Farm Road (3,350') Crabtree Falls Trail	3350
826.7	The Priest Shelter (3,840')?6.6mS; 7.6mN	3840

06/15/02 2:47 pm

Just arrived at the shelter. Good day hiking, but I am bushed. Think I will call it a day here.

Got a little trail majic from a church camp. I first met them at Fish Hatchery Rd and they gave me an orage, then again at spy rock were I got a drink, cookies and an apple. Nice group.

Speaking of Spy Rock, what a veiw! you could see everything for miles. No wonder why the Confederate Soldiers used it as a lookout!

Great weather for hiking, cool with a strong breeze and probably in the 70's.

Boy I am tired...I think I will try to take a nap and clean some cloths (they all stink)!

06/15/02 5:50 pm

Forgot to mention the bandanna. I somehow droped my bandanna, probably while taking off my coat after Spy Rock, and probably about an hour of hiking I find a Bandanna by the trail in a small tree (probably the tree grabed it from a hikers backpack). It even seems clean! There must be a bandanna g_d!

06/16/02 8:51 am

Cold night again last night but slept ok. Was in the shelter with "The Natural". Nice guy with dredlocks (a ski bumb from NH). Good conversation and company. This morning he said he might have a stress fracture in his foot and is thinking about pulling out to get it checked. I hope it is just a strain and rest will cure it for him.

Well best be off to decend "The Preist".

Maupin Field Shelter
Day: 14-2002
Mileage: 816.8

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
826.7	The Priest Shelter (3,840')?6.6mS; 7.6mN	3840
827.2	The Priest (4,063')	4063
830.2	Cripple Creek (1,800')	1800
831.5	Va. 56, Crabtree Falls Highway (997')	997
831.6	Tye River (950')	950
833.2	Mau-Har Trail (2,090')	2090
834.3	Harpers Creek Shelter (1,800') ?7.6mS; 6.2mN	1800
836.3	Chimney Rocks (3,190')	3190
838	Three Ridges (3,970')	3970
838.5	Hanging Rock (3,750')	3750
840.5	Maupin Field Shelter (2,720') ?6.2mS; 15.8mN	2720

06/16/02 8:10 pm

Made it here about 1.5 hours ago after probably the toughest hiking I have done in years! The trail reminded me of PA and wasn't maintained well, weeds overgowing the loose rock trail made the uphill very hard, the downhill was much better, with obviously new waterbars and steps. It was also mmy longest day yet on this trip, milage wise, at 13.7 miles with one 3000 ft decent and one 3000 ft acent on top of the milage.

Here with the Old Man and Vmonster, nice people!

Well according to the new Thru hikers handbook, the next sheter is 16 miles away, not 12 as in 96, wonder why? Wonder if I can make it to the shelter tomarrow? We'll see?

Over 100 miles for the trip...and there was much rejoicing!!!!!

06/17/02 7:15 am

Didn't sleep to good last night. Started off fine, but after falling asleep, Metree showed up and woke me up. Then I was tossing and turning all night. Woke up early because everyone esle was making noise and couldn't get back to sleep.

Don't know what to do today. Map and old guide say 12 to next shelter, new into says 16. Hu?

Well must more on, maybe I will try for town today, but I doubt it.

Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
[According to the Damascus Website, Rusty's is Closed as of 2002!]

Sign in Harpers Creek Shelter said "Rusty's Hrad Time Hollow is closed!! From stress & lack if support!"

Paul Wolfe Memorial Shelter
Day: 15-2002
Mileage: 829.7

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
840.5	Maupin Field Shelter (2,720') ?6.2mS; 15.8mN	2720
842.2	Reids Gap, Va. 664; BRP mp 13.6 (2,645')	2645
842.7	Three Ridges Parking Overlook; BRP mp 13.1 (2,700')	2700
846.5	Cedar Cliffs (2,800')	2800
847	Dripping Rock Parking Area; BRP mp 9.6 (2,950')	2950
849.8	Humpback Mountain (3,606')	3606
850.8	Trail to Humpback Rocks (3,250')	3250
852.3	Bear Spring (3,200')	3200
854.5	Glass Hollow Overlook (2,750')	2750
854.8	Trail to Humpback Visitors Center (2,150')	2150
856.3	Mill Creek (1,700') Paul C. Wolfe Shelter?15.8mS; 13mN	1700

06/17/02 8:57 pm

Here with so many people I lost count, One is a section hiker, the rest thru hikers. Tuff day today, especially since the relocation wasn't marked well and I had no idea were I was going. Got into the shelter surprisingly early since it was a 16 mile day. My right leg is starting to bother ne alongwith my left knee, but Vitamin I is working for now. I am just afraid my leg will stiffen overnight and I wont be able to hike into Waysboro.

Some nice views today, but the trail reminded me of PA, rocks rocks and more rocks.

This shelter is fantastic, even with all these people, it isnt full! It is a two decker with a porch! Even has windows! Nice water source too, I was even able to take a 'bath' and rinse my cloths.

Overall a tiring day. I got to stop these 10% days. I do plan to take an extra day in Waynsboro! Zero Day....YEA!!!! FOOD...YEA!! BED...YEA!!!

Rockfish Gap - BRP/I-64/US250
Day: 16+17-2002
Mileage: 834.9

Miles from Springer	Features	Elevation
861.3	U.S. 250, I-64, Rockfish Gap (1,902') Waynesboro, Va. 22980	1902

06/18/02 5:00 pm

Well I am back at Rockfish Gap one more time. Made good time into town after a very crowed night at the shelter. When I arrived at the Gap, I went to the visitors center and sure enough they do provide rides into town for hikers. The guy I road with was a hiker (although he only hikes in the area). He didn't have too many nice things to say about the outfitter though. Got to the hotel (Comfort Inn) and did a pack explosion followed by a shower. Then whent in serch of the A.Y.C.E. Chineese Buffet and the post office. Then rested some more (god its good to be in town). Now at the Laundrymat trying to clean the toxic waste off my cloths.

Waynsville is nice but it seem I have done more walking today than I do on the trail....everything is so spread out (especially compared to Glasslow)!

So far out on the trail the big news of the year is still the Fire near Glasgow. Hikers are being shuttled around the area just South of the James river (about an 11 mile strech of trail is closed).

06/19/02 11:16 pm

Well I took a zero day today, although with all the walking I did you probably wouldn't know it. First I stayed in bed late, 9am. I took a shower (after making coffee inthe room) then went for the continental breakfast, wich was closed because it was so late. Then I talked to some hikers awaiting a ride to the trail. I was almost hoping for a ride to the outfitters, but the car was small and there were three hikers. So I walked to Wesie's for breakfast and ran into more hikers, including Redwood. We ended up walking to the outfitters after breakfast. We spent about an hour and a half there, and I spent $150! I bought a new filter cartridge, and LED headlamp, boot goop, a shirt, pair of sox and a head covering called the BUFF. We were able to get a ride back with Sherrie Terrell (504-448-3324) who provides rides to hikers (she took two hikers from the outfitters to the trail then got me and redwood and drove us back to town). Nice lady, I will give her a call tomarrow when I am ready to leave and get a lift from her to the trail! I then whent to the post office to mail my flashlight, one shirt (replaced), film, map excetra back to mom and dad. After a little longer I walked up to the steakhouse and ordered the biggest steak they had! Upon rturning I reconditioned my hiking boots. Now sitting in a dark hotel room trying my new LED headlamp. It is MUCH better than the old flashlight when it comes to using my palmtop! I even think I could hike with it in a pinch.

Only complaint for the day was my right foot, somehow I have new blisters on it (I think due to a bandaid and the walk to Wesie's), but I took care of it and I think it will be ok.

'02 Hike Map