Start:Poplar Ridge Lean-To (AT mi 1983.4) Stop: Stealth Site (AT mi 1996.5). Today’s miles: 13.1 miles. Total AT mileage: 971.8 miles
Well, my waking up nicer business ended this morning. The 4 section hikers that showed up yesterday woke up loud as hell this morning. Sling, Tinman, Runway, and BlessedBillygoat all got up quietly and snuck out of camp by 6.. the other 4 decided that everyone else must be up, too, because they were loud as shit yelling to each other and talking. I literally had to do some deep breathing to not scream out a good “STFU!”
I waited until I heard them leave before getting up and packing. I was so annoyed that my good sleep was interrupted that it took me some time to get over it. I was pretty much grumpy the entire time I was in camp. I ate my breakfast and then was hiking by 7:30.. the time I had originally decided I’d get up.
I took that as a sign that I’d probably need more time to hike today. It’s the longest of the 3 days before the hostel.. so, I guess I shouldn’t be so irritated with those early LOUD risers. I just find it so rude. Anyway, officially letting it go now, as I write this LOL.
The trail was both a mixture of beautiful forest with calm trail and full on “what the hell?” The first part of the day had a slow, long climb that wasn’t too bad, truthfully. It got my blood pumping and the sweat pouring, but ups are much easier these days compared to downs. I only have to focus on my breathing going up.. coming down requires focus on each step, knees, ankles, feet, pack..
I ate my lunch at the top of Lone Mountain. It was uneventful but sunny. So I dried my bandana in the sun and ate some snacks. I couldn’t force myself to eat the tuna. I just couldn’t. While I sat, a SOBO hiker came through and sat and chatted with me while he waited on his partner to make it there. I enjoyed the company, chatting about what’s to come for each of us and all that. Then Steak appeared. I assumed he was ahead yesterday when Luau and Proton passed. He and Scout had stayed at a stealth site back a ways. After chatting with him a bit the two of us carried on.. him light years ahead of me within about 2 minutes.
The terrain from the top of Lone Mountain didn’t turn down, instead it meandered through the woods for the prettiest part of today, with views popping up here and there down short side paths. It was 2 miles of heaven. It also looked like the type of terrain you’d spot a moose in, and there was quite a bit of poop, but no luck. I passed Steak when he found a sunny spot to hang out his tent to dry. He had the Zpacks Triplex (same as David’s except bigger for 2 people), but it got a bit soaked last night where they camped so he wanted it to air out better before making it to camp.
I carried on and passed a shelter without going down to it. Then it was a steep uphill climb to get to the Sugarloaf Mountain. Once I made it to the sign, there was a blue blazed trail saying the summit was up about 150 yards.. a man happened to be coming down it as I was crossing it and made the comment, “it’s socked in up there, can’t see a thing. I wouldn’t waste my time if I were you..” Little did he know, I wasn’t going up that side trail either way.. but I felt better about my choice knowing the views weren’t there.. hahaha
I passed another SOBO hiker and paused to chat him up a bit. Everyone seems super friendly today. Some days people just pass with a “happy trails” and nothing else, today people wanted to talk! And you know what? That was fine by me! I did, too! I wasn’t listening to music or a new audiobook.. today I just soaked in all that was around me. And it felt fantastic. This guy was the one that told me the stealth sites I’d see once I cross the river at the bottom are nicer in his opinion than the camp site a mile afterwards. The campsite was my original intention.. but I saw on my app about these stealth sites, too.. so now that he confirmed it, I had a new goal: one mile less than the campsite. While that means a mile more tomorrow.. eh, whatever, I’ll deal with tomorrow.. tomorrow. 😉
So I started the descent to the river. It started out nice and smooth-ish.. a few rocks and roots every few steps but not every step. Then it opened up to a cliff with the view of all the surrounding mountains and the river down below. At first, even here the trail was ok. I was wondering how in 1.3 miles I’d end up all the way down there at the water.. shortly there after, I figured it out.
HOLY HELL it was straight down! It felt scarier than Madison in the dark to me! The rocks looked freshly “rock slid” off the mountain. Like I was seriously worried that one step on the wrong rock would send the whole cliff side down to the bottom, me with it. The dirt even looked different-dry and almost sandlike.. unlike the wet mud dirt of every day prior. Maybe that’s why those rocks are still standing? Who knows? I don’t, but I do know I was very worried about my safety coming down that thing.
Luckily, I safely made it to the bottom, hearing rushing water for almost 15 solid minutes before reaching it. I crossed over and knew the search was on for a tent spot. I didn’t have to look far. There was a slanted one to my right, one right ahead with roots.. I kept going-a man was set up with his tent a little father on the right, and then to the left: perfection! There’s a fire ring with logs for sitting, and then just beyond, a nice flat spot for my tent. Out of politeness I made sure the man was ok if I set up here, if he said no I don’t know what I would have done, because this was destined to be home tonight regardless.
Before putting up my tent, I looked around and made sure there would be enough room for Steak and Scouts tent if they decided to make it here today. Technically, my spot would be better for them.. but I snagged it anyway since it was flatter. They’d still fit just off to my right a little bit. It was 5:45 when me and Mr. Man walked back to the river to get water. Once we did, I stayed and bathed before coming back and changing into my camp clothes.
I finished unpacking and then filtered water and made dinner. A ramen bomb. He came over to ask some questions about everything.. he’s doing a gear shakedown to see how he likes everything and what he does or doesn’t need for his section hike of the 100 mile wilderness at the end of the month. He seems super excited and had loads of questions.. all of which I was happy for because it was keeping me from crawling into my tent with the sun out.
Finally I cleaned up and we did retire to our tents. Around 8pm I saw a hiker pass my tent. I recognized the hair but wasn’t completely sure, so I yelled out a, “Scout, is that you?” Lol it was and we chatted through the tent for a few. I already have my pants off, letting my rashy business dry out/do what ever it does with hydrocortisone cream on. She told me 2 of her friends had the same thing happen to them after staying at the cabin, so I think I’ll call Hopper tomorrow when I get to town just to let her know, they may want to change their detergent, because TownLegs told me she got a rash after washing there, too.
Anyway, I asked if they had enough room for their tent in the spot next to me.. and that if not, I’d be willing to swap spots with them if they’d help me gently move my tent over there without completely unpacking the inside. She said she’d let Steak decide once he got there, but either way I didn’t need to move my tent. They are so dang nice. He showed up and said they had plenty of room next to me to set up. So they started doing all their chores. I still haven’t moved from my bed. Something tells me I’ll have to go pee before too long though.. I accidentally chugged a lot of water after dinner lol. The body wants what it wants! I just don’t want to have to put my pants back on.
So, there ya have it. The things that I think about. Oh! Before I forget! No snakes today AND today was the second day in a row of not falling! I’m a little scared to think what tomorrow brings.. haha It should be a really steep climb to the top of South Crocker mountain, a 300 ft decent and then a climb up North Crocker, with a 5 mile “ok” descent to the road crossing to get picked up for the hostel. So I’m told by my shakedown friend across the campsite from me. If he can do it with a 40 pound pack, I can do it, too! Hopefully a little faster so I have more time at the hostel!
Sweet dreams, y’all!