~*~ 
“There were 2, then 4, then
3, then 5, then 3, then 5, then 3”
Dates:
Hikers:
Crazypace (Todd), Pennsy (Bruce), Green Monkee (Antonio), RichB (Rich), MSilver
(Marion) & lilmountaingirl (me)
Mileage:
43 total
Elevation
Gain/Loss:
Friday
GM
& I set out around
Saturday
We were a little slow getting out of bed
but we managed. We tore down camp and packed up before having a little
breakfast to fuel us for the climbs. CP’s feet having been troubling him and he
had forgotten to bring the insoles the doctor gave him so he had planned on
bailing out of the hike early, so as not to hurt his feet anymore.
The
BFT is a very well maintained and smooth trail. Not too many rocks or
mysterious tree roots to slow you up. Somehow I ended up on spider web detail
in front and cleared the way for the first few miles. We had several nice views
right off the bat. Our first climb was long but it was pretty gradual so it
wasn’t too bad. The descent was much steeper and CP was actually slowed up by
it because of his feet. I’ve never seen CP take the flank!
After
a brief break at one vista, we proceeded to lose elevation. There are many
trails weaving in and out which was reassuring since there were plenty of
bailout options. CP decided to call it quits early and we left him at the base
of the climb on the Naval Run Trail. We also hinted that our camp for the night
would be near a forest road and beer would be much appreciated. Off he went as
GM, Pennsy and I began the climb. I hate this climb. Hate it. Switchback after
switchback and steep. It kicked my butt completely. When I finally reached the
top, Pennsy and GM were relaxing and chatting with a couple of guys on horses.
Horses! Why didn’t I think of that?
We
stopped for lunch at the next vista and checked the map to see how much further
we had to travel. Not too much, maybe another 7-8 miles. As we made out descent
into Slate Run, we came across a group of 6 people and a little dog, Suzy! We
knew they were ahead of us from the register we had passed. After filtering
some water and chatting with a couple of the folks, we discovered they were
headed for the same camping area. Time to kick it into high (or a higher) gear.
Three miles to go…let’s hit it! We had a nice gradual ascent up to a forest
road where we ran into the men on horses again. They commented that after going
down the Naval Run Trail, they respected us for the fact we walked UP it.
That’s right. B-) We passed a group of three (Bizarro TT’ers according to GM)
who warned of a huge rattlesnake sleeping on the trail at the bottom of the
run. Oh freakin’ wonderful. I was cautious the entire way down…carefully
staying well behind Pennsy & GM hoping to completely avoid the snake. I got
lucky ~ no snake.
We
reached Foster Hollow and found it empty (woo hoo!) so we set up camp and went
about gathering firewood and filtering water. RichB and MSilver showed up about
an hour or so later. Introductions, more setting up of camp, and then FOOD! I
cooked GM’s food…yeah, okay, I boiled the water. :P Dinner was delicious! We
sat by the campfire, dodging the skeery wolf spiders (those babies are HUGE),
sipping hot cocoa and Sambuca before calling it a night around 9:30pm. Though I
was jolted awake by the loudest screeching thing I’ve ever heard. We still
don’t know what it was…
Sunday
The
long day. 17 miles. RichB and MSilver were taking an alternate route to the
next campsite, they have done the BFT and decided to find a shorter trail. We
all set out together, taking in some really nice views at Columbine Vista
before descending to Rt. 44 where we said goodbye until camp. Pennsy, GM and I
had a nice easy trek for a few miles which was nice to be able to cruise right
along.
We reached Slate Run and a “NO CAMPING” sign, right next to a giant car camping
tent. I would have taken a picture if it weren’t for the half naked lady
standing right by the Run. Anyway, we had to filter water since it would be the
last source for quite some time and we had a few climbs. Ha. We were able to
rock hop this creek, a pleasant surprise since we fully expected we’d be
fording. Immediately up hill from the Run and constant. Again, Pennsy and GM
were off and running and I was chasing. We passed a cached water jug, a white
tee-shirt and an abandoned pot and broomstick handle. Maybe a witch had to
leave in a hurry?
A
lookout point near a White Birch provided GM with an opportunity to scramble up
a rock and then climb a dead tree on top of the rock. What? The last 1000 feet
weren’t enough for you, Monkee??? We decided to hold off on lunch for another
hour or so. When we finally did eat lunch, it was just what I needed, though I
could have done without the bees. 
View
after spectacular view, we made our way along the trail. We finally reached
camp around 5:30pm (and after GM went on a little mile long jog to find the camp)
and found RichB and MSilver waiting our arrival. Boots off immediately! My feet
were killing me and my left knee was a little strained. I popped some Aleve and
soon enough was feeling okay. We all had dinner and then gathered again around
the campfire. MSilver attempted to hang his bear bag and got the rope twisted
in the tree. Not a problem with GM around…he scaled the tree and released the
rope. I’m used to this behavior but the others were not. As they scrambled for
cameras to get a picture of GM in the tree, I scrambled for my camera to get a
video of them scrambling for theirs. We could hear an owl hooting away in the
distance. The dark forest provided an excellent place to view the stars. GM and
I wandered to another little campsite to get an unobstructed view. We saw 2
UFO’s.
9:30pm
found me ready for bed and soon enough, we were all nestled away in our tents
after a long and fulfilling day on the trail.
Monday
Time
to head out. I remember nothing about Monday’s hike. We left camp around
8:45am, with 10 miles to go before reaching our car. Pennsy took point and was
off like a bullet with GM and I in tow. Most of the hike was flat, with a
couple of descents 
and climbs. In the first 1.5 miles, we
crossed the same stream 21 times (yes, we counted). Needless to say, we went
the first 3.5 miles in an hour. <zoom zoom zoom> We had a little bit of
bushwhacking when we took a wrong turn, but it didn’t seem to slow us down
much.
We
stopped around 10:45am to have a snack and decided to keep on truckin’. GM is
crazy fast. I think Pennsy dubbed him “roadrunner” because he was off like a
bullet. My legs simple can not walk that fast! We stopped one last time at a
stream crossing, thinking there was a little over 2 miles to go. I took off and
this time I was on a mission. I heard Pennsy say something about lilmotorgirl
as I zipped ahead, looking for that last climb. We flew through today’s 10 miles…the scenery was a blur! 10 miles in
about 3.5 hours, getting sidetracked once and stopping for about 30-40 minutes
over the course of two breaks. Big smiles all around when we reached the cars
unexpectedly soon ~ still thinking we had 2 miles and a huge climb to hike. Oh
happy day!
After
a quick change of clothes by the roadside, we sped off to the Waterville Hotel
for some delicious food and Yeungling. My chicken sandwich was super and the
burgers that GM & Pennsy ordered were ridiculously huge! Those German Fries
were good though…mmMMmmm
The
BFT was a great trail ~ I look forward to going back in another season. I had a
blast hiking the 44 miles with Pennsy & GM. It was a shame to see CP go but
we all understood. RichB and MSilver were also a pleasure to meet ~ maybe next
time we’ll hike more together rather than just camping.
What I Learned:
~ Pitch black night at
~
Why Green Monkee is indeed, a monkey.
~
MSilver used to be a wedding photographer.
~
Funny Bones make an adequate on-trail birthday cake. MMMMmmm
~
Show up late, no wine for you.
~
Skeery wolf spiders are poisonous. Aren’t? Are. Aren’t? Are.
~
4mph is my max speed before I have to jog to keep up.
~
PA isn’t completely void of switchbacks.
~
There are no Flag Pole Climbing Clubs
~
Pennsy is the Queen Bee (it’s the only explanation for our following)
~
Nice putt,
~
How NOT to hang a bear bag.
~
How to be a contributing member to Team Osprey
~
Unidentified shrieking animals are to be left alone.
~
UFO’s fly in pairs.
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