I hiked down off Mt Rogers today, starting at about 5,400 ft and ended up at Lost Mountain Shelter at about 3,400 ft. The vistas continued until after I ate lunch around Buzzards Rock.

To my surprise, I ran into “Trouble” on the trail. He and I hiked together for about 3 days in Pennsylvania last summer. It was awesome to see him again.

I’m with an interesting crew at this shelter. Teddy Bear is a Triple Crowner who has great stories about hiking the CDT. Everyone is sharing stories and telling about their highlights of the trail. It’s been a fantastic evening.

I’m one day’s hike from Damascus; if God is willing, I’ll finish this section tomorrow! 🙏🏻

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #22 (5/30/19)
Start — Thomas Knob Shelter (499.0)
End — Lost Mountain Shelter (486.6)
Today’s Mileage: 12.4
Total Section Miles: 243.2
Total Miles on AT: 958.6
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.1
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.2
Distance to Damascus: 16.0

I am a slow walker, but I never walk back. — Abraham Lincoln

Today was perhaps one the best hiking days ever. I left Old Orchard early and hiked UP into and through Grayson Highlands towards Mt Rogers. I’m at Thomas Knob Shelter (5,400 ft) for the night.

Here are some pictures from today:

By the way, got lucky when I made it to the shelter about 30 minutes before a thunderstorm came through and dropped a torrent on us.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #21 (5/29/19)
Start — Old Orchard Shelter (510.1)
End — Thomas Knob Shelter (499.0)
Today’s Mileage: 11.1
Total Section Miles: 230.8
Total Miles on AT: 946.2
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.0
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.1
Distance to Damascus: 28.4

A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. ― George Bernard Shaw

“Tomorrow should be another short one as well.” Not!

I tried, but I couldn’t do another short day. I woke early and decided to try to make two shelters ahead. That coupled with an 11 mile day tomorrow will get me into Damascus a day earlier.

I’m at Old Orchard tonight and will press on through Grayson Highlands tomorrow. I promise to take lots of photos; there were none today. The highlight of my day was a 10 min trail side nap. 😴

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #20 (5/28/19)
Start — Trimpi Shelter (524.2)
End — Old Orchard Shelter (510.1)
Today’s Mileage: 14.1
Total Section Miles: 219.7
Total Miles on AT: 935.1
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 11.0
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.2
Distance to Damascus: 39.5

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly. ― Langston Hughes

I am now entering the Mt Rogers area, which includes Grayson Highlands. I’ve heard from many NOBO’s about the misbehaving bears in the area. Many have lost their food, even with perfect bear bag hangs. Bear boxes are now installed at all of the shelters, so I’m hopping from one to the next.

Consequently, I only did 10 miles today. Good thing I’m a little ahead of schedule.

I’m at Trimpi Shelter tonight. There are lots of others here too.

Tomorrow should be another short one as well.

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #19 (5/27/19)
Start — Mt Rogers Nat. Rec. HQ (534.2)
End — Trimpi Shelter (524.2)
Today’s Mileage: 10.0
Total Section Miles: 205.6
Total Miles on AT: 922.0
Section Avg. Daily Miles: 10.8
“Zeros” Taken: 2
Section Avg. w/o Zeros: 12.1
Distance to Damascus: 53.6

It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. — Charles Darwin

As planned, I took my second zero today. The day was spent doing laundry, resupplying and resting some “tired dogs.” They need to be ready for the final push to Damascus. Although, I’m planning to decrease my mileage through Grayson Highlands and Mount Rogers. I should arrive in Damascus on June 1. (5 nights on trail.)

One thing that has impressed me on the hike is the experience that photographs cannot do justice. This includes wide vistas, night time views and especially smells. The May flowers are in full bloom on the mountains. The smell of grass and sage fills the air walking across meadows. Here are some flower pictures:

Oops 😬Poison Ivy

There are also unpleasant smells. At Chestnut Knob shelter a thru-hiker was arranging his pack. When he opened his clothes bag, the smell that came out nearly knocked me unconscious. A thousand homeless people don’t smell that bad. 🙊

AT Thru-Hike Stats
Section Day #18 (5/27/19)
Start – Mt Rogers Nat. Rec. HQ (534.2)
End – Mt Rogers Nat. Rec. HQ (534.2)
Today’s mileage: 0.0
Total section miles: 195.6
Total miles on AT: 912.0
Section avg daily miles: 10.9
“Zeros” taken: 2
Section avg w/o zeros: 12.2
Distance to Damascus: 63.6

May you taste, smell, and touch
your dreams of a beautiful tomorrow.
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie