March 06 AT Hike: James River to Troutville

Another hobbie of mine is hiking. I loved to hike the AT--Appalachian Trail. A pastor friend and I like to cover 3-4 days on the AT twice a year. Usually in the spring and fall. This report was the end of March--a few days after it snowed. Little did we know how much snow was at Apple Orchard Shelter, the highest elevation along the Blueridge parkway.

Night 1 at the James River shelter

Well he made it out of the woods thurs. We had a little change of plans since there was a foot of snow at 4000 ft on our second night. Sun we hiked 2 miles along the James river to the first shelter. Next day begun the hike to apple orchard 13-14 miles up. As we kept going higher (James river to apple orchard) the snow kept getting deeper. We had about 11 of the 14 miles gradually increasing in snow. So the hardest day was magnified by the snow. we hiked from 7am till 5:30 to get to the shelter at apple orchard. There was about 8-10 of snow everywhere up there. The last bit of the hike was in that and the trail wasn't easy to pick up. We could only guess and look for white blazes on the trees which are usually 100 yards apart. The next day we had a choice of continuing 10 miles to the next shelter in the deep stuff in which the trail was not visible or go back down 16 miles. well, we decided to take the safe route and turn back. Neither of us wanted to get lost in that stuff, especially since we weren't carrying a tent and were relying on the shelters. Also, since I wasn't planning on snow, all i had were my trail shoes not my boots. feet got a little cold and wet. We got back down to the truck that 3rd afternoon, went into town, ate Mexican, and got a room. next day we went back out and did the southern section of our route over the next 2 days. here's a couple of pics.

2nd day at about 2000 feet and 12 miles to go.







A little time for a snow angel

at about 3000 feet and 7 miles to go. The view is where we are heading to apple orchard 4000 feet. What is all that white stuff up there. At this point, we have about 2-3 inches on the trail.


Continue to climb up and down around 3000 feet. trail getting tougher and deeper. And all I had were a pair of trail running shoes. My feet are cold and wet. About 5 miles to go.


After hiking from 7am till 5:30 (the route should have only taken about 7 hrs) we arrive at the shelter at apple orchard, just over 4000 feet. The blueridge parkway is closed along a 8 mile stretch because of the snow. The snow around the shelter and trail at this elevation is around 8-10 inches. The trail to hike the next day has no signs of being traveled on and the only indicator of the trail are these 2x4 inches white paint blazes on trees about every 100 yards apart. The trail was unrecognizable.

Well good night it is cold and I hope i don't have to go to the privy (bathroom). that's it in the pic to the right about 100 feet away just above that sign. Have i mentioned that i am cold and wet.




The James River


back down to james river bridge




Thought this was a nice pic. God's creation is AWESOME!









Dinner is served. Chili Mac and beef. Better than home.




Rob and I chillin at the shelter out of the snow.


There is a legend of an old homeless lady that wonders the trails around Troutville. This is supposed to be her bag. Here are a few trail journals that talk about her: this link is from the late 90's.

http://www.backcountry.net/arch/at/9703/msg00298.html

Here is one from fall 2004. I met the girl who wrote this. She actually included Rob and I in her journal on Oct 13 entry, but she didn't say much about us.

http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=121674


sunrise on the last day.