A Easy Overnight At The Cabin...Not!

I thought this weekend would be an easy mowing overnight to the Cabin in Southwest Virginia...but it was anything but! 

I really had planned just for a photoblog, but fate had other plans. It might have started when I forgot to bring Pete (he wasn't happy). Everything was fine until we reached the second gate at the junction the goes to the other barn and the one to the Cabin. 

There up the road, a huge tree had fallen. I did bring my chainsaw just for this reason, except for one thing...it had fallen into the power lines. It had sagged the phone line and snapped the power. So, we headed outside of Fort Blackmore to get the signal to call the power company.

We waited for the truck to arrive from Appalachian Power. When he did I think it surprised the guy and he said it would be evening or Sunday before it got turned back on. Because we couldn't get around we went to the other barn and then hiked to the Cabin. Since it was getting late and it was still damp I decided to mow Sunday morning. I still had to hike up to call St. Clair just in case we were out of contact for the night. One other thing we discover something had been laying next to the Cabin plus one of our bird feeders had been trashed and besides its lid, another vanished. Bear...could be.

As night fell I picked off ticks and prepared for an evening without power. Then I thought I heard a chainsaw in the distance. I guess I did because about 9 pm the outside light came on, signaling the power was back on!

So, Sunday morning I got up and got out to mow. Well, I was going to but the mower had other ideas. After working on it for our Dad and I went over to get the Jeep Cherokee ( Dad drove the tractor and I hiked). On the way back we got to check the work done the previous evening. Then as we approached the third gate we ran into cows...yes cows.

Once back (and after lunch) it was time to work on the mower. We had sprayed starting fluid to try and start it, but no luck. After checking the spark plugs we took the top of the mower engine off. We poured gas into the carburetor because if it didn't work we were throwing in the towel. However, it worked! However, while I mowed Dad ran over something with the tractor a punctured the back left tire. But, I got the yard mowed and we headed to St. Clair... Mission Accomplished!

Mission Max Patch...Accomplished!

Hiking and camping at Max Patch. The mission two days on "the Patch" the agent for this task, the Hiking Machine...DADDY! Guess what you "melvins" none of you were there...😄 Anyway, here is a rundown day one: shred the trail, carry the Lummox and camp...day two: rinse and repeat. While I tried to stay away from the mouthbreathing rabble on the summit of "the Patch" I did meet some cool section hikers at our campsite last night. While they weren't too impressed with the Lummox, they stood in awe of the Hiking Machine. Oh, you might be wondering why the Hiking Machine did grace this blog on either Saturday or Sunday. Well, this Hiking machine likes to be "off the grid" and let's be honest I am slumming it by even posting here, so your welcome! So, with that, I am out...BITCHES!

Appalachian Shelters: HogBack Ridge

Since I did a blog on the Appalachian Trail (AT) Section Hike covering Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap I have to spotlight one of its highlights, HogBack Ridge Shelter. My first visit to this small shelter under the supervision of the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC) was in February of 2016. On my first visit, I thought I would one day want to stay here because it is such a quint shelter. That time came in July of 2019 and I would accomplish three things. My birthday outing was also my first solo-shelter backpack, and finally, I finished the section I mentioned above. 

My February 2016 visit

Anyway, this smaller shelter was built in 1984 by the CMC. It is located a tenth of a mile off the AT. This one is a log cabin-style shelter, which was the template for the Flint Mountain Shelter built four years later. It is a one-level shelter that sleeps six. I had it to myself on my visit, but like Jerry Cabin, it could fill up quickly. 

Clockwise: The sign that leads to the shelter

Two sides of the shelter

Inside

Like most shelters, I have visited it has a picnic table and a nice fire ring, but since this is a CMC Shelter it also has bear cables located at the front of the building. Also, being in the CMC area means there is a privy. A sign points the way to the right of the shelter. 

Picnic table & fire ring

Bear cables

Privy

My one main issue with the shelter is the water source is a good distance away. It is at least 0.3 miles, but maybe closer to 0.4. I admit I was tired, but I went back for water the following morning and it still seemed quite away. I mean there is another water sign that lets you know your on the right path. Still, it is a good water source and like it, this shelter is a good choice to kick back at and enjoy

Clockwise: First sign, halfway sign & water

It is Tales From The Wood Booger

AT Section #12: Sams Gap To Devil's Fork Gap

There are sections of the Appalachian Trail (AT) that have sweeping vistas, grand waterfalls, or plenty of miles. Well, Section 14, Sams Gap to Devil's Fork Gap, doesn't really have any of these. Still, it is a worthy slice of the AT in North Carolina/Tennessee.

CW: Max Patch, Big Firescald Knob, Roan Highlands, Big Bald, Laurel Fork Falls

Now let me say it is short, clocking in at 8.6 miles, and has decent views. Like Section 13, I am going to do this South to North as this is how I would recommend doing this section. That means the start will be at Sams Gap.  The AT isn't the only route that cuts through this Gap, Interstate-26 also comes through here. The AT Section 15 also started from here. Like I said before, the parking area for the AT sets under I-26, which has plenty of room. 

There is a short road walk uphill before going left past a weather monitoring station. From here the AT heads into the woods. You will also cross a plaque One of the things starting this section is there is a lot of fence rows. It also heads uphill, but not too steep. Before long there will be a junction, with a sign, out 150 feet to High Rocks at just under two miles. It gives views down into Tennessee.

Road walk

Looking back at Sams Gap Winter & Summer

AT goes by Weather Station & road up to the Divide Cemetery

Junction for...

High Rock

Clockwise:Pinnacle Mtn, I-26, Unaka Mtn, Big Bald

From High Rocks the trail heads down to a sag, going through some rhododendrons. At around the 2.5-mile mark, you will reach the junction with the HogBack Ridge Shelter (to see more details about this check out this blog). Located about a tenth-of-a-mile off the trail the shelter sleeps six. 

The old junction sign 2016 & new in 2019

Shelter Winter & Summer

Back on the AT the trail travels along a ridgeline starting down 0.3 miles. It eventually starts a more gradual descent a mile to Rice Gap. After Rice Gap, there is a rerouted area that leads to a large campsite at Big Flats. From here the trail passes a fence and starts a steep climb up Frozen Knob also known as Lick Rock. At the five-mile mark, there is a rewarding view, including Big Bald. Another two-tenths leads to the top of Frozen Knob, also known as Lick Rock. 

Rice Gap

Big Flat

The TN Mountains & Wolf Laurel Resort

Big Bald

Frozen Knob

Dropping down a 0.2 straight section takes one through an old apple orchard. Then it is another uphill and over a knob. From here it is a welcome long downhill to Sugarloaf Gap at 6.7 miles. This is where the trail turns and starts a steep slope towards Rector Laurel Road. 

Apple Orchard area...

Campsite at Sugarloaf Gap

Just under half-mile, you will reach Sugarloaf Branch Falls. As the AT winds down it will come down past a spring. Wind down across an ATV road as it heads up and past an old cemetery at 7.7 miles. After here it heads through a group of rhododendrons before again crossing that ATV road again in a flat area. I take it there were once structures here but not now. But you will notice some nearby from the trail as it bottom's out at Rector Laurel Road at eight miles. If you go right 0.2 miles you will come to Laurel Hostel 

Sugarloaf Branch Falls

Cemetery

ATV Road

Reach Rector Laurel Road

For those who don't head to the hostel, the AT starts up here. I have done this part in both directions, but you will be surprised how much steeper going up is. It does switchback, some, however, you will still be happy when you reach the BLANK. On up, a couple hundred yards is an old stile that you at one time crossed a fence that once stood here. Oh, if your lucky you might see some domesticated deer ( yes cows).  From here it is a tenth-of-a-mile to the edge of the woods and the Devil's Fork Gap sign. There is also a nice view of Camp Creek Bald from here. 

Camp Creek Bald

Once you turn right against a hill in a field you will see NC-209 and the parking area at Devil's Fork Gap. It just over the steps and the 8.6 miles.