Let the detour begin (Day 43)

Just two miles from where we camped last night, another detour of Hurricane Helene began. The storm severely damaged the Virginia Creeper Trail and repairs are currently underway. The AT had to be rerouted to avoid this construction. The detour is 20.9 miles long, but will technically return us to the trail 22.9 miles from where we started. So I guess it’s like we have 2 free miles.

to the races

This Hurricane Helene detour includes three trails. The Flat Top Trail, the Iron Mountain Trail and the Mount Rogers Trail. I learned that until 1972, the Iron Mountain Trail was part of the AT. An advantage of hiking these trails is that they are multi-use. Because of this, today I met a couple who rode horses. I pet her dogs and horses, and the woman was interested to know that I am from Kentucky, having attended races at Keeneland.

Rain and rolling hills

Since entering Virginia, the ground has already leveled out a bit. There aren’t as many steep climbs and descents, and the elevation changes seem to be a little smoother. I’m definitely enjoying it. The hike was easy today, but the rain hit us just a mile from where we planned to camp. I decided to sleep in the shelter tonight so I could hang up my clothes and avoid getting my tent wet.

go search

I end the night by throwing a ball at another hiker’s dog. She is a Border Collie and her trail name is Sticks (I assume because of her love of picking them up). He walks all day but still has endless energy once he gets to camp. I think I’d be chasing the ball all night. She gives me sad puppy eyes as I crawl into my sleeping bag for the night. The temperature has dropped a lot, which I didn’t expect. It’s mid-May, but we’re in for a very cold night. I’m still grateful I didn’t follow anyone’s advice to send my cold weather gear home.

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