“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.”
~William Shakespeare
May 8, 2021
Hike from Bearfence Shelter to Rockspring Hut
AT miles: 11.5
Ascent: 2018’
Descent: 1756’
Weather: sunny, cool, and REALLY windy
Sightings: a deer
High points: a long conversation with a 67-year-old woman who started her thruhike last year but who got off-trail in Hampton, Tennessee, last year because of Covid. She says she is a slow hiker, but with great persistence this spring she has hiked from Hampton, Tennessee, to Shenandoah National Park. Yay for her!
The climb up Hazeltop Mountain was long. It was not difficult, but there were some rocky sections. Compared with New England, this path doesn’t really count as rocky, but for Virginia it is.
There were no views at the top, but it was a beautiful ridge walk nonetheless.
I found a great spot for a snack! (And convenient for my poles too!)
Long before Shenandoah national park existed, people eked out an existence in this area. When someone had the idea of making this park in the 1930’s, the federal government bought up the land, but there are still occasional signs of the old farms. I walked through what must have been an apple orchard many years ago.
Today’s wildflower was bluets — they were everywhere. This picture of bluets (which look purple) and violets is in honor of my older daughter who loves purple and has been fascinated by the idea of an all-purple garden.
As I climbed up to Big Meadows I got a great view!
I reached the big Meadows lodge and was very excited about the idea of lunch at the restaurant there, but it was 11 o’clock and the restaurant didn’t open till noon. I sat and chilled in a lovely lodge common area with the fire burning in the large stone fireplace.
I don’t normally post pictures of food, but I was super hungry and this hamburger was amazing. And whoever invented sweet potato fries made a great contribution to humanity!
They were many more views on the walk from big Meadows to the shelter. I even have a great view from my tent — here it is!
I had been hoping to sleep in the shelter because the weather forecast was for really strong winds, but when I arrived there were two guys in their 20’s smoking pot, so I decided to stay in my tent. I set up right next to a really sweet friendly couple from D.C.
As forecast, a REALLY strong wind has come up, blowing well over 20mph with even stronger gusts. I don’t mind walking in wind, but sitting in my tent I feel like my tent might just takeoff any minute! And it’s hard to get motivated to leave the protection of my tent to find the spring to get water when it’s this windy. (And I’m slightly paranoid that my tent will fly away if I leave it!)
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!