June 11, 2015
“Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon.”
– Alexander Supertramp
The 2.7 miles from Flint Mountain Shelter to Devil Fork Gap is very pleasant hiking. The trail is even, meandering with luscious forest views. There is a beautiful field at the gap, which ascends a hill. Mike and Larry, who camped at Flint Mountain the night before, left their Platypus container at camp. I ran into them eating breakfast on the hill and gave it to them. The trail descends to Rector Laurel Road. I heard a lot of dog barking in the distance and soon the sight of mobile homes and discarded trash appeared. The trail ascends over 1,000 feet over the next two miles to Sugarloaf Gap.
I walked by myself most of the day today. It was pleasant. I ran across a lot of wildlife, including a red eft, snails, and a box turtle.
I stopped to rest at Hogback Ridge Shelter. This site didn’t look like the best place to stay. There were disparaging remarks made about the length of time to hike to water (.5 miles) and the less than sanitary privy. I did see some evidence of Cub, which made me laugh.
The highlight of the day was the view from High Rock. This was not a bad section to hike in hot weather.
I had originally intended on hiking to Bald Mountain Shelter. At Sam’s Gap the storm clouds encroached upon the mountain. Mike and Larry hiked up. They had decided to get off the trail and stay at a hostel close by. After they were picked up, Cous and Biscuit came down the hill. We discussed the storm and what to do. We decided to call the hostel to get a ride. This turned out to be fortuitous, because views would not have been possible from Big Bald.
Total mileage is 11.2 miles.
sweetwilder 