Pre-Trip

I drove out to Harrisburg on Friday night to stay with a friend. We left Saturday morning around 7am and drove out to Pole Steeple to drop my car. Unfortunately, there is no overnight parking anywhere. After some cursing and driving around, I ended up paying for a campsite and leaving my car there. At least it won’t get towed. Anthony dropped me at the Rocky Knob Trailhead, after a few minor detours, gave me a hug, said “Happy Birthday” and then left me in the middle of nowhere.

Birthday BP

I set out about 8:30am. I had intended to do the Rocky Knob Trail (1.8 miles) before hitting the AT but decided to get underway instead. I’m used to hiking in PA, I’m used to the obnoxious rocks and the blowdowns. I was pleasantly surprised to experience very little of either for the entire first day. The sun was out when I began and quickly warmed to about 70 degrees, not a cloud in the sky.

I passed noone for the first 3 miles ~ seemed I had the trail all to myself! I crossed the Shenandoah Road and notice a couple of guys getting out of their car, thought I may have company, but never saw them again. The trail was remarkably clear and for the first time in a long while, I was very peaceful with myself. I was able to listen to the sounds of the forest and enjoy the silence that surrounded me.

I passed a few dayhikers on my way to the Shelter, all 4 of which exclaimed “are you hiking alone?!?” Not really, I wasn’t. I had Griswold to keep me company. At one point I heard something running like mad through the woods. I looked left, right and left again searching for deer. Not seeing anything, I looked right again and finally saw two wild turkeys running like hell through the forest. They scared the crap out of me but I was happy to have seen at least a tidbit of wildlife. Griswold irritated me because I had to carry him over most stream crossings! He only managed to cross one without my assistance, as seen [url=http://community.webshots.com/photo/324714423/324828779hIypic]here[/url].

Several miles and several boy scout troops later, I came across the signpost for Sunset Rocks. I’ve done this trail before, and while it sounds lovely, it sucks. It’s loaded with enemy rocks (all part of the PA Rock Pentagon that no_granola referenced in his last TR). Since it was only 2.8 miles and I was making good time, I decided to hike it yet again. It was just as bad the second time, scrambling over the boulders with nothing gained (no view…nada!).

Mid-afternoon I sauntered into Toms Run Shelter and went about setting up camp. I had brought my new Marmot NYX to test out so I was having fun. I spent the remainder of the afternoon reading Deep Survival and generally enjoying the day and surroundings. Around 5-6pm, boy scouts began arriving, followed by an odd thru-hiker by the name of Forest who happened to have a dog named Gump, a young couple, and yet more boy scouts. There were about 21 people there by the time I went to sleep.

Sunday

I got up around 7am, and hurried to pull everything together to get out of camp. I wanted to beat the crowds. By 7:30am I was on the trail and enjoying the solitude once again. The weather was once again beautiful. I got to Pine Grove Furnace rather quickly where I had to pick up my car and move it to the day area. Once done, I snapped some shots of the Furnace, the Hostel and Griswold.

I stopped in at the Halfway Store and grabbed some Gatorade. The woman there said she had a girl come through the day before (“Hydro-Heidi”) on a thru-hike that completed the “half-gallon challenge” with peanut butter ice cream. She said “she must have really liked that flavor”.

I proceeded up the AT, past the AT’s halfway sign (why I didn’t take a picture, I don’t know) and on to Pole Steeple. The Steeple wasn’t crowded, I’m guessing it was still too early for the majority of the crowds. I had the rocks and the view to myself. I sat for awhile and took in the spring day, thinking about everything and nothing all at once. After about a half hour or so, I headed down the steep decline to the trailhead, passing many a miserable dayhiker on the way. Love those rocks and lack of switchbacks!

I was in my car and headed home by midday. It was an easy trip, a relaxing trip and a peaceful trip. It was just what the doctor ordered for turning 32. :) I had forgotten how fast I move sometimes when I’m on my own. I don’t stop as much and I don’t realize how quickly time passes as I go. Griswold is the perfect companion because he doesn’t say much, takes up only a little bit of room, and generally fends for himself. Though, he spent part of Sunday duct taped to my Leki! I love being in the woods, and I’m definitely going to make a tradition out of solo trips on my birthday. At least now, I will look forward to them!

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