Saturday, May 6: The Old Hotel Trail/ Appalachian Trail loop hike in Virginia's Mount Pleasant National Recreation Area; 6.2 miles. This hike is a favorite at all times of year, for its varied terrain, the pleasant stream/shelter setting near the mid-point and, best of all, the 4,000-foot bald area over Cold Mountain. On this pleasant day, The Day Hiker and I had hoped to see that the blackberry patch along the early stretch of the Old Hotel Trail had perhaps been burned or cut low, as last summer, the old bushes seemed to be past the fruitful age; but then maybe the plan in a national area is to allow nature to take its course. Lunch, along the stream, was perfect. And Cold Mountain, with its great 360-degree views and open fields, was as breathtaking as ever. The day, the breeze and the time of the afternoon created a situation never before suggested by The Day Hiker . . . and so we did take our first-ever afternoon nap along the trail. But please don't tell anyone, because they'll make the assumption of hanging it on the age of the admittedly aging hikers, and that's so not true.
Saturday, May 13: The Appalachian Trail/Little Cove Mountain loop north of Roanoke: 11.2 miles. Yes, this loop is really only 8.2, but The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All quashed her better instincts in deference to the not-so-great-day hiker, who blithely took off northward on a day when the hike was to the south. Trail Denial can sometimes be as strong as Trail Magic for me, and so we walked--sun in the wrong place, topography not agreeing with the map--for at least a mile and half before I came to my senses and allowed us to turn around.
The real hike was an enjoyable one, with some good climbs, a few good views and the long descent back to the parking area along Va. 614.
Sunday, May 21: War Spur/Chestnut Ridge/Appalachian Trail loop in Giles County, Va.: 8.2 miles. There arrived, at the parking area on Va. 613, at the same moment we did, a family that included a shy and tiny hiker of three or four. She was immediately frightened by white dog Fluff and black dog Gunnar, despite our prompt leashing of them. We worried, as we took the War Spur Overlook spur (sad views of ghostly-gray dead hemlocks amid a sea of otherwise-green) and came back to the loop, that we'd meet her again. The ever-vigilant Greatest Day Hiker saw the family coming toward us before the dogs or I knew of them. Dogs were quickly re-leashed and pulled to the side of the trail; nonetheless, the little hiker clung like lichen on a rock to her daddy's chest. "He used to be afraid of dogs too," the Day Hiker offered, gesturing at me as we passed, but to no avail. The War Spur does offer some still-healthy old-growth hemlocks, as well as a strong climb to a 4,000-foot plateau before it reaches the AT.
Sunday, May 28: Appalachian Trail from FR 222 north to Walker Gap and
back: 11.8 miles. This was a red-letter day for two reasons: Our first return in nearly a year to extending our reach southward on the AT; and the first return to a full, warm-day hike for old-dog Gunnar after her surgery and recovery from the removal of a large and ugly mass on her belly between her hind legs. The section begins with a sustained climb of about 2,500 feet, and that, combined with the rising heat of the day, left the dog panting nearly desperately as we reached the ridge line. The Day Hiker and I had, without speaking, each hatched a plan to have us get to the end of the section (down from Chestnut Knob 1.5 miles and then back up) separately--one staying behind with the beleaguered dog. Ah, but she recovered after water, shade and a swim in the pond along the open area of the ridge, and made the full walk with us, a trek highlighted by the views into Burkes Garden from along and near the 4,400-foot summit of Chestnut Knob. We'd been vigilant for the pond by virtue of having talked about the day's hike with son and near-thru-hiker Carl, who, six years after most of his miles on the trail, maintains near-photographic memory of its every turn, view and attribute.
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