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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
Facts | Hiking the Trail |
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18th May 2002 From:
Four Pines Hostel 
As it turned out Buckeye turned up last night about 8:00 P.M. He has been
traveling slowly as he is nursing a shin splint. Owners Joe and Wanda came
down for an evening chat and Wanda put together a home cooked meal for
Buckeye. How's that for hospitality?
2001 was the first year The Pines Hostel was open and they had 300 hikers stay there. To date this year, they have already passed that number….word is spreading. Today (Friday, May 18th) Joe and Wanda are driving down to Damascus for Trail Days. They are wondering how many people will remember them. I awoke at 5:45 A.M. today to the sound of pelting rain and fierce winds. No way was I getting out of my warm bag. 7:00 A.M. came and the wind was still howling, but the rain had stopped, so out of bed I got and prepared to move on. Someone had left a few packets of cheese flavoured instant grits in the hiker box so as I was low on food I thought I'd have it for breakfast….big mistake. It's the worst breakfast I can remember. I think the grits could be okay, but not with cheese! I got out at 8:00 A.M. and it was bitterly cold, however once I got onto the trail and into the trees, it didn't feel so bad. As it turned out, it was a delightful day hiking long hills, but gradual, soft underfoot and very few rocks. Even the local club had manufactured about ten timber walkways and installed them over rock slabs….no rock scrambling here! I got to McAfee's Knob (pictured above) at 12:30 P.M. and Real and Corncob were there also so we all took the obligatory photos of each other looking rather brave standing out on the precipice. Real and Corncob moved on but I settled down for lunch. A troop of about 10 boy scouts and their leaders came by; they stopped to chat with me for about 10 minutes. They were from Roanoke and were out for a day-hike. As I was preparing to move on, another guy who introduced himself as Bobbie came along and started to walk with me. I asked if he had water as I didn't see him carrying any and he showed me his drink bottle and said he couldn't spare any. I said I didn't need water thanks, but I was low on food. With that, he gave me a packet of peanut M&M's. They were gratefully received. As we moved on, Bobby pulled me through a narrow opening in the bushes to see a most spectacular view, one that many hikers I'm sure would miss out on. We were at the highest point and could see for miles. To the north he pointed out Tinker's Cliffs where I would be in about 2 1/2 hours. Eastward, to my right, he pointed out Roanoke airport, suburbs, and city, bathed in sunshine. It was a really great vista. If Bobbie hadn't been there I would have walked right past it. I made mention it was a pity it was such a cold, cloudy day. He said he had just had a liver transplant and every day was wonderful. One could only agree and appreciate one's own good fortune.
When I got to the shelter, Real and Corncob were there. It's quite cold now and they are already in bed (7:30 P.M.). Tomorrow morning I'll start out early, as I need to get into Troutville by around noon. I'll stay there for the night in a motel. I need to get to the Outfitters and resupply with food, then get to the post office on Monday morning to get my Vegemite supply. With that, I'll say goodnight all. |
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The trail followed along the top edge of Tinker Cliffs
(pictured right) for about a
half-mile, luckily the sun came out and lit up the valley below. What a
great day's hiking this turned out to be.