If You Want Blood (You Got It)

Woody Gap to Hogpen Gap

AT miles hiked - 38.2

AT miles to go - 2,154.8

On Friday, July 10, 2020, I set out with the intention of conquering Blood Mountain and my next section of the Appalachian Trail.  Blood Mountain is the highest point on the AT in Georgia at 4,459 feet.  I started off at Woody Gap where I last left the trail back in March and was hoping to complete the hike over Blood Mountain from Woody Gap to Neels Gap as a day hike.  Mileage-wise the hike was only about 9 miles.  Nevertheless, the heat and humidity that day was very unpleasant and Blood Mountain conquered me!  A little after noon I had just passed Jarrard Gap but I still had the almost 2 mile climb up Blood Mountain ahead of me and with the heat and humidity I just was not feeling it.  So, I called my trail angels (Marci and Erin) and had them pick me up at Lake Winfield Scott which was just a short hike down from Jarrard Gap.  I was frustrated at not completing the planned section, but grateful to have wonderful trail angels.  They were planning on picking me up at Neels Gap anyway and just had to re-route a bit to meet me at the new pickup location.

The view from Big Cedar ledges near Woody Gap.

On Saturday, July 18, Erin accompanied me and this time we attacked Blood Mountain going southbound from Neels Gap.  The ascent is actually longer going southbound, but I much prefer tackling long climbs first thing in the morning when I'm feeling strong.  Marci drove us to Neels Gap and hung around in North Georgia to pick us up later when we finished back at Lake Winfield Scott.  Erin set a good steady pace and we made it to the top of Blood Mountain in about an hour and 45 minutes.  Since it was a Saturday, the trail was quite busy with lots of hikers.  After a short rest at the summit, we continued on our way southbound until we reached Jarrard Gap and took the side trail back down to the lake.  It felt great to finally have Blood Mountain completed!

With Erin near the summit of Blood Mountain.

Erin at the Blood Mountain shelter.  Built in 1937 it is one of the oldest shelters on the AT.

The following Tuesday, July 21, Erin and I hiked the next section of trail again going southbound from Hogpen Gap to Neels Gap.  This time we were accompanied by my nephew, Brandon Rollins.  The day was mostly cloudy which kept the temperature in the woods pretty tolerable.  Thunder started rolling at 12:10 and continued for the rest of our hike over Levelland Mountain and down into Neels Gap, but we didn't experience any rain until getting back to our cars.  It was a very pleasant day on the trail.

Brandon and Erin on Cowrock Mountain.

With Erin at Neels Gap.

The boot tree at Neels Gap.

Historic Mountain Crossings and Walasi-Yi center at Neels Gap.

If You Want Blood (You Got It) - AC/DC

In a Big Country

North Country Trail, Michigan, June 16, 2020

After my abbreviated trip to South Dakota, I headed to Ann Arbor, Michigan to spend time with Jacob, Emily and Theo.  During my first week there, Jacob and I organized some things for the upcoming move while we waited for their closing date to be set.  The weather was great and I had the chance to spend a day hiking on the North Country Trail (NCT).  The NCT is the longest trail in the National Scenic Trails system and runs from Vermont, through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and into central North Dakota.

On Tuesday, June 16th, Jacob and I drove to southern Michagan and dropped my truck at the Pittsford Road trailhead where I would be ending my hike for the day.  Then Jacob dropped me at my starting point which was right on the Ohio/Michigan border.  The trail was all road walking in this portion, mostly on well graded, gravel farm roads with some shorter sections on paved roads.  The weather was great - sunny, mid-70s and not very humid.  I hiked 10.8 miles and didn't stop to sit down or rest the entire time.  A little over a third of the way through, I could see another hiker some ways behind me so I paused while he caught up.  Dale was a retired pharmacist from Wisconsin who had completed the Ice Age Trail and was now section hiking the North Country Trail.  He started at the same spot I did but was going to be continuing for several days.  We hiked together until I reached my end point and had a very enjoyable time exchanging trail stories and experiences.

The hike was pretty flat Michigan farmland.  I didn't take many photos but had a great day.  Only 4,590 miles or so of the NCT left to complete some day!

NCT trail sign on the Michigan/Ohio border.

Michigan farmland.

Dale, my hiking partner for the day.

"In a Big Country" - Big Country

Run to the Hills

South Dakota Centennial Trail, June 8 - 9, 2020

After sitting around the house for too many weeks bemoaning the postponement of my AT hike plans, I decided it was time to get out on a trail somewhere and get some hiking done.  Back in 2018 I spent a day hiking in the Black Hills with my son, Jacob, and learned about the South Dakota Centennial Trail.  Since then, it has been on my list of trails to hike someday.  So in early June, I headed to South Dakota with the intention of thru-hiking the 122 mile Centennial Trail.

I left home on Friday, June 5th and made it St. Louis, Missouri where I was able to meet one of my best friends, David Buzzell, who I haven't seen in over 30 years!  We spent a wonderful 3 hours or so over dinner catching up.  It was so good to see Dave and was definitely a highlight of my trip.  I arrived in the Black Hills on Sunday afternoon where I was able to spend the night with another friend and his wife who live just west of Rapid City.  Monday morning, Steve dropped me off at the southern terminus of the Centennial Trail in Wind Cave National Park and I headed north.  My plan was to average 13 to 15 miles a day and an estimated completion the following Tuesday or Wednesday.  I was carrying 4 1/2 days of food and had left a resupply box at a campground which I was aiming to reach on Friday afternoon.

The trail was beautiful and had alot of variety too it.  However, I fairly quickly realized my mileage goals were overly ambitious given my current condition (or lack there of!).  It was pretty clear I was not going to meet my mileage goals, at least not for the first few days.  Monday evening I had hoped to reach French Creek Horse Campground at about 14 miles.  However, 10 miles was all I could manage the first day.  I made camp in a clump of pine trees to try and avoid any heavy rain or hail.  It rained off and on all night but I stayed dry in my tent.  I packed up Tuesday morning and continued on.

My new goal for Tuesday night was now the Legion Lake Lodge.  I was able to call and book a cabin there hoping there would be laundry facilities as well.  Most of the day was overcast and windy, but it finally cleared up as I neared the lodge.  I reached Legion Lake about 2:30, only to learn that the restaurant was just shutting down for the day.  Fortunately, the staff allowed me to place a sandwich order which I was able take to my cabin and eat for dinner.  No laundry facilities however.  During the day. I head from my son, Jacob, who let me know that he and his wife, Emily, had just purchased a new home in Ann Arbor. Michigan.  This caused me to reconfigure my plans and I decided to head to Michigan so I could help them in the move.  Steve picked me up at the lodge on Wednesday morning and I used the rest of the day to do laundry and recover at his home before heading east again on Thursday.

I enjoyed my short time on the Centennial Trail.  I was a little disappointed I wasn't able to go further and felt like I was just reaching the best scenic portions of the trail.  Some day I hope to get back to the Black Hills to take another stab at it.

On the Centennial Trail in South Dakota

My only bison sighting entering Custer State Park.

"Run to the Hills" - Iron Maiden