It doesn’t matter if the water is cold or warm if you’re going to have to wade through it anyway.
~Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
September 22, 2021
Hike from Cooper Gap to Jarrard Gap
AT miles: 14.2
Ascent: 2474’
Descent: 2261’
Weather: mid-60’s with lots of rain and wind. Burr!
High points: returning to the car and finding hot coffee and Irish cream
Today was a cold wet day for hiking. The trail was one great big puddle.
The rain torrented down. At times the trail resembled a river!
We crossed Justus Creek. Normally there are rocks that serve as stepping stones so you can more or less make it across it with dry feet, but today after three days of heavy rain the stream was a lot higher than usual. I decided to just wade through, though I did have wet socks for the rest of the day as a result.
We hiked over Gooch Mountain. There should have been a nice view, but all I saw was clouds.
We hiked up Ramrock Mountain (3222’) and the view from this mountain was very similar.
The trail went down to Woody Gap and then ascended Big Cedar Mountain (3737’). Preaching Brock, near the top of this mountain, is supposed to have a fantastic view to the east. All I saw was more clouds.
The weather forecast predicted sun and temperatures around 70 by noon, so I kept on postponing getting out my rain gloves and putting on a hat. As a result I got quite cold. I was practically running the trail to stay warm.
Finally around 2 o’clock the sun came out! It was wonderful to see the golden sunshine and the sharp shadows.
When I got back to the car I had warm coffee and Irish cream waiting for me. 😀
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!
As beautiful as the pix were, the highlight of your day was that coffee! Yes?
Glad you had extra socks too!!!