What A Relief To Escape Troubled Times Hiking At The Cabin

Well, it is good when sometimes turns out to be sooner than later. I refer to my blog last week about COVID-19 and I am pleased to report (and if you saw Pete's Blog you will know this) that I got to hike as part of a trip to the Cabin in Southwest Virginia.

Grass waits for no man, so Dad and I headed over because I had already mowed twice here at St. Clair. It would be a different trip over as there were no stops for coffee or chicken. Anyway, the mission when we got over there was to get a mower started, which isn't always easy after six months, but we did. Oh, because of the Spring build it was even harder to mow than before. Speaking of the Spring, we had to work on it on Saturday afternoon. I would like to report we finished, but...

Well, let's get to why I needed to go over because I need to hike and get out! On, Friday I didn't expect to hike, but I got to do an impromptu trek up to Wood Booger Ridge. The reason was the power went out and it was that way for a half-hour. Because of the power being out the house phone doesn't work, which means I had to hike over half-mile up the ridge. The reason I get a mobile phone signal, so I can call Appalachian Power, which I did. Even though I was tired (and had just eaten) it was really nice just to get out.

So, with great anticipation, I got up early to head out. I started by returning to Wood Booger Ridge in search of morel mushrooms. The place where I found so last year, because of a late search, the turkeys found them first. I did find a small one in the middle of the three old roads at the gate, but two big ones near the barn at the Cabin. I also found wildflowers (more about that later).

I then headed down what I call the Cowhead Trail, for obvious reasons. Then it was out to the second barn and then back up. I then continued up the Cabin Trail. Then I headed up to Russell and Robert Knobs. I will admit with all the uphill I was feeling it. So, I had to decide if I was going to head up to Pete's Knob. Well, I wouldn't have heard the end of it from Pete, so we headed up. While it was tougher than normal I couldn't have done it without Pete.

Then it was down and back to the Cabin. I ended the evening with a nice fire, for a short time it was good to have a break from everything that has been going on.

Back On The Trail... Down The Rabbit Hole

Yeah BITCHES, Pete here and what a difference a week makes. Last weekend I was suffering though Easter and this week I am back on the trail. We came over to check on the Cabin. We had a warm-up hike Thursday evening and then today I dragged the Lummox back out. 

We went to a number of spots, but we ended on all of the ladies favorite... Pete's Knob...😉🐰

Anyway, the best part you all are stuck at home and I am not...HA, HA...BITCHES!

Appalachian Shelters: Jerry Cabin

When starting a new blog series, Appalachian Shelters,  it is hard to pick where to start. Since I am doing a blog on the Appalachian Trail (AT) Section Devil's Fork Gap to Allen Gap I thought what better way to kick it off than Jerry's Cabin Shelter. 

The other reason I picked this shelter is becoming I am going to start with ones I stayed in or near. Right now that will cover, as of now, six. Later I will do ones I have visited. Anyway, Jerry's Cabin was a shelter I wanted to stay at since my first visit here in 2016.

My first visit to Jerry Cabin...

...in 2016.

This shelter, named in honor of Jerry Miller who was a District Attorney, has a colorful history. Located in Chestnut Log Gap, Jerry Cabin was built 52 years ago (1968) by the United States Forest Service (USFS). Back then it was called Jerry Cabin Lean-To. In the 1970s it got a reputation as one of the dirtiest shelters on the AT. It was not only popular with hikers but hunters and other locals from Tennessee and North Carolina. So, in 1972, Chuckey, TN trail volunteer Sam Waddle "adopted" the shelter and took care of it for over the next three decades. In that time Jerry's Cabin became one of the cleanest shelters on the AT.

CMC members taking a break at the shelter site in 1957.
(Photo by William Kirkman)

Waddle got the nickname "Habitual Maintainer" for his work at Jerry's Cabin.
(Photo Appalachian Trail Conservancy)

Now the shelter is maintained by the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC). Jerry Cabin is one level, stone shelter that sleeps six. It has a unique feature of a functioning fireplace. Especially in cold weather with the tarp in place. Out front are a picnic table and fire pit. Well, the picnic table is partly in the shelter. A feature of CMC shelters is bear cables which are just on the other side of the AT next to the trail sign.

The Shelter & fire pit.

Sleeping deck & fireplace...

...up close.

The deck isn't totally flat but sleeps well.

The picnic table.

Flames in the fire pit.

The bear cables.

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This sign was replaced along with the one on the shelter. Something else that hikers will like is the water isn't too far from the shelter about 100 yards. Also, there is not one but two pipes for this water source, but on my stay this past Summer (in a dry spell) the top one is the more reliable. Remember, these pipes aren't coming straight out of Andrew Johnson Mountain...so treat it.

Old sign...

...& new.

The old shelter sign...

...& its replacement.

The trail to the water...

The upper pipe to the left...

...the lower pipe to the right.

Another CMC feature is a privy, located to the left behind the shelter about a hundred yards or so away. If you're not into sleeping in Jerry Cabin (shame on you)  just past the shelter going AT North (or coming down AT South) are plenty of tent camping options. Either way, you can't go wrong at Jerry Cabin.

The sign points the way...

...to the privy...

...not too bad.

The privy is behind the shelter.

One of the tenting sites.