February 4, 2008

Today’s miles: 13.0

This morning, I talked to the old and lonely man with the dog, staying in the RV by the bathroom. And then 4 (four!) ranger trucks pulled up with 5 employees and they proceeded to “clean” the ground and rake gravel. I got directions from them on getting back to the trail.

I climbed up Stone Mountain on a new orange-blazed trail with nice switchbacks and stairs. It was warm enough that I shed layers until I was only in my dress. I ran down the trail, to see a man with a Canadian accent working on building the trail. I wanted to hug his not-drawling self, but instead hiked to the road, then down the road a ways to meet up with the MST at Widows Creek. I headed up into the blown-down laden trail up-up-up to Devils Garden and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Saw a pileated woodpecker! It started to rain once I got to the BRP. It’s now around 6 pm and still raining, lightly. I am crossing my fingers for no rain tomorrow! It is super-foggy tonight.