I left work Friday around noon and beat feet to Front Royal, VA and checked into the hotel. I had a brisket sandwich and cold beer from PaveMint Smokin’ Taphouse for dinner and retired back to the hotel for the evening after a safety meeting.

Saturday morning I arose, had breakfast, and was soon making my way up the mountain towards Shenandoah National Park. After displaying my pass I pulled off to fill out a backcountry permit at the kiosk. I proceeded to Jenkins Gap and parked the car. A family of day hikers showed up as I was preparing to get on trail. They jumped right on the AT at Jenkins Gap whereas I had a short road walk to Marshall Mountain Trail. The day was beautiful and warmed up quickly as I peeled off my jacket and checked my safety supplies at the trailhead. I broke out my poles and I was off. I encountered a few day hikers in the first 8 mile stretch. Around noon I arrived at my planned camping spot. I set up camp and had lunch. I then decided it was too early and too nice out to stop hiking. In less than 10 minutes camp was broke down and I was back on trail. Hiking for a few more miles I found Gravel Springs Hut with a Park Ranger hanging out in front of the shelter. He was a friendly fellow and we talked for awhile. I asked about sites in the direction I was going but ultimately decided the shelter had everything I might need for the evening and I was fine stopping there for the evening. Gravel Springs shelter has a shelter, picnic table, firepit, bear pole, bear box, privy, spring, and tent sites. A few hikers and a dog showed up that night and we had a good time.

The next morning I was up early as I had froze all night in inadequate gear. I got up and moving to warm myself up. I had breakfast and aimed to get on trail early. As I climbed up and away from Gravel Springs shelter towards the AT enveloped in a cool fog I turned to see my new albeit temporary friends one last time in the distance and nod. It was cold, windy, and wet on top of Marshall Mountain. The forest had such an eerie, spooky feeling that I enjoyed quite a bit honestly. There are so many different ways to experience the AT outside of spring’s ‘green tunnel’. Upon returning to car I had a awkward moment when some rando drives up on me while I’m trying to change in the back of the car. I’m like this great. No one around, its foggy, my pants are half off, and what’s this wanker want stopping right behind my car? Thankfully, after seemingly forever, they back up, turn around, and leave. Great! I say to myself. Finish taking care of my business and crack a cold victory beer. One victory beer never hurts a hiker at the end of a hike. It was an eventful ride home. Google routed me through downtown DC for some reason. Gee thanks Google!