[at-l] Highlights of week Hiking SNP

[ARTCLOUTMN@aol.com]

Spent a wonderful week hiking At in Va.  We left Front Royal on Saturday 
4/17/99 heading south on AT.  I had hoped to meet some Thru Hikers on the 
trail but never imagined meeting "Tumbleweed" on the first day.  He was quiet 
tanned from sunny days in the snow,  Very organized and left camp efficiently 
the next morning.
	The weather was mostly cool but pleasant for hiking.   Most mornings 
we woke to find temps in the 30's.  We had cold rain for the the next to last 
day.  The last day temps hit 80 +.  We were prepared for all temperature 
ranges having experienced backpacking in New England.  
	Best views were from Mary's Rock and Stony Man Mountain.  We planned 
our hike over both of these summits after shuttling the cars.  We used 
Panorama as a midpoint car shuttle location.  We leap frogged the second 
vehicle from Front Royal to Swift Run Gap. That meant a late start to our 
hiking day (11:00 AM).  Fortunately,  this day had the best weather, few 
clods and cool breeze.  Since we had 15 miles planned, I knew we would not 
make camp until close to sunset.  Therefore we had dinner at Skyland in the 
Tap Room.  The meal energized us and made the last few miles feel like a 
fresh start.  Maybe I will plan more days with a dinner stop then continue 
hiking before camping for the night.
	During the hike we met four more thru hikers.  "Rainbow Bright", 
"Hersh", "King of Spain" and "Amish Reject" were following "Tumbleweed" each 
one day behind the other.  We spent a few moments talking with each hiker.  
All were interesting to talk with and encouraging.
	We saw deer by the trail everyday.  There were Turkeybuzzards, 
Ravens, grouse, any many more birds that I could not identify.  Blue and 
yellow violets were in bloom.  The mountains seemed to be in about the same 
season of growth as Connecticut when we departed.   
	The Huts (shelters) were all well maintained.  Water was in good 
supply at all shelters except "Tom Floyd Wayside" -  only a trickle into a 
gallon jug.  There were squatters at "Pass Mountain Hut" with two dogs.  
Apparently they have been living there for almost 1 month.  They are very 
friendly and very helpful to hikers.  They don't see any problem with 
occupying the shelter.  The "Bearfence Mountain Hut" has a pair of resident 
raccoons that will come right into the occupied shelter looking for food.  
They explore backpacks, boots, pots and stoves.  They will find any food not 
hung on the bear poles provided at the area.  The views from Hawkspeek Hut 
were incredible.  Lights from a nearby town looked like stars.  I witnessed 
part of a meteor shower at 2:00 am one evening when I got up to relieve 
myself during the night.
	It was a wonderful hike.  I was pleased to get a shower but sorry to 
leave the trail.  The trip has just made me more determined then ever to make 
a thru hike when I retire in 3 years.  

							Art
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