On Saturday I hiked from the Meadow Springs parking lot on Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park (SNP) north to Mary's Rock. The view was spectacular, although it was cold and there was a lot of snow on the ground. On Monday I called SNP and learned that the Central District was open, but both the North and South Districts were closed due to snow and ice. I decided to give it a shot and planned to hike from the Pinnacle Picnic Area, about six miles from the Thornton Gap Entrance Station, north on the Appalachian Trail (AT) to the Bird's Nest #3 Hut. I had hiked up to the hut on Saturday, so this little stretch would add to my AT hiking goal.
On Monday it was supposed to be warm, around 50 degrees, and sunny. On the drive up Route 211 the views of the mountains were very impressive. The fog and clouds had obscured the view on Saturday, so I was happy to see clear skies on Monday. As I approached Pinnacle Picnic Area at around 8:30 AM, Skyline drive was covered with ice that had blown from the trees. Very slick. And I had driven up into the clouds. Fog was rolling over the mountain driven by strong winds from the west. When they say the weather changes rapidly in the mountains, they ain't just whistling Dixie. The change in elevation of only a few hundred feet resulted in a cold, windy and foggy start to what I had hoped would be a warm and sunny hike.
Shot a little video with the new Kodak Zi8 before I hit the trail, then swapped the SDHC card from the video to my still camera. I had planned to swap the card between the cameras as I hiked, but my hands were so cold that I decided I would shoot stills on the way out and video on the way back, only swapping the card once I got to the hut.
The trail was a devious white chocolate layer cake. The bottom crust of leaves topped with eight to 20 inches of snow, and capped with a heavy coating of curly ice blown from the trees. As I hiked the ice was flying off the trees and hitting me in the face. Sort of sharp, too. Because of the fog there wasn't any view. I slogged up the trail, slowly gaining elevation. As the trail skirted around to the east facing slope the trail was a little less snowy and the wind was less fierce. I was walking along a level stretch of trail when suddenly there was a loud booming crash. Sounded like a Civil War Reenactor's cannon going off. Birds took to the air. I didn't see what caused the commotion. I assume it was a large tree being blown over. I didn't hear a crack, just a boom, so the tree must have been uprooted and not just broken off. Does this answer that famous question? Well, I was there and I heard it, so I guess the question will go unanswered, but those birds definitely heard the tree fall in the woods.
Later as I was hiking along, minding my own business, I scared up a large bird. If I was back in New Mexico I would say it was a Prairie Chicken. It's flight was similar to a quail, but quite a bit larger. It was a very noisey get-off and I admit, it startled me. The remainder of the hike down to Bird's Nest #3 Hut was uneventful.
Once at the hut I was dismayed to see that the strong west wind had blown a lot of the ice off the trees and into the open west side of the hut. Everything inside was covered with ice and was soaking wet. Somewhere recently I had read that a used Tyvek mailing envelope makes a good water resistance butt pad for hikers. I had crammed one in my day pack, but hadn't had the opportunity to test it out. It worked like a charm. The envelope, folded in half, was the same size as my trail journal and fit nicely in the pocket of my pack. I was pleased to see that when I was ready to leave I could fold it so the wet sides were together and everything in my pack would stay dry. Whoever turned me on to this, thanks! You kept me from having a damp ass.
Switched out the SDHC card while sitting in the hut, then I was on my way. Not far from the hut I spotted a deer. Not unusual in SNP. Sometimes it seems like the whole place is a giant deer park, but the last several times I have been hiking I haven't seen any deer. Maybe they went to the lower elevations where they could find some greenery to browse on. As the trail switched direction and climbed up the hill I found that I was face to face with the deer. Shot a little video of the deer, who seemed entirely nonplussed. I couldn't have reached the deer with my trekking pole, but I would guess it was only two trekking poles from me.
The trail was back on the ridge, and at The Pinnacle I stopped to admire the view. The sun had broken through and the clouds were scattered. Very nice view. As I was gazing out over the valley another hiker came up the trail from the south. Nice to see I wasn't the only crazy person out there. Headed down the mountain, but now the trail was a little slushy and slippery. I stopped a few more times to take in the scenery. I also noted that the stretch of trail near the trailhead, you know, the icy part, had a pretty precipitous drop to the west. Good thing it was too foggy to see it when I started out. I also noticed quite a few deer tracks in my outbound tracks, so the deer had visited while I was out on the trail.
I am reasonably pleased with the Zi8 video camera. I still need to get a little practice in, but I think it will work out OK for my needs. I wasn't real happy with the audio. Close up it's OK, but if you get very far from the camera it is basically inaudible. I probably need to invest in an external mic. More crap to carry.
I had a great hike and even though it was only a total of five miles it was quite a workout. Burning thighs and glutes from slogging through the snow. The only part of me that got cold was my hands, and they were OK if I kept my gloves on. Another great day in Shenandoah National Park.
