On Monday (7 July) we started hiking around noon. When we came near Salt Log Gap (southern, not to be confused with Salt Log Gap between Tar Jacket Ridge and Rocky Mountain) where we intended to sleep, Bill saw a snake. Mike and Jake went around and dad flipped it over and it was a rattle snake. Since we saw the snake we didn't want to stay at Salt Log Gap. So we kept going and we say a deer jump through the woods. That night we stayed at Johns Hollow Shelter. On Monday I learned to walk on the trail.

Tuesday we left about 1:00, by 12:30 or 1:00 we got to the road where the truck was. Then we went to Natural Bridge. We saw it the Lost River, and the Falls. We were back on the trail by 5:50 PM, just Bill, Jake, Mike, and I. Dad and Daniel situated the trucks. On the way I tripped and cut my knee. That night we stayed at Matt's Creek Shelter. On Tuesday I learned to lift my feet up, don't drag them.

Wednesday morning we saw a copper head in the water swimming. About 7:00 PM it started to rain. Once we got to the parkway we were crossing, we hiked on it because everybody was sore from already hiking eight miles. After one mile Daniel was really hurting so he and Bill stayed back, the rest of us kept going led by dad. Jake, Mike, dad, and I got to Thunder Hill Shelter about half an hour before Bill and Daniel. Wednesday I learned to tighten my waist belt so my shoulders don't hurt.

Thursday we saw Black Rock, which was a good view. We also hiked the highest I've ever hiked, 4278 feet (over Apple Orchard Mountain). We got to Bryant Ridge Shelter by 7:00 PM. Bryant Ridge was the biggest shelter I ever saw, it was three stories high. Thursday I didn't learn anything (about hiking).

Friday we hiked 2.9 miles to the truck. We swam and washed up in Jennings's Creek. Friday I didn't learn anything (about hiking).