Day 78-A Somewhat Unexpected New Record

June 4-20.7, but really 21.3 miles-Rockfish Gap to Blackrock Hut-AT mile 885.0

I decided I’m not a fan of the “Winging It” plan. 

DuBose returned us to Rockfish Gap where we got off the trail to go to Waynesboro. He drove up to the entrance station and was told there is no overnight camping in the backcountry of Shenandoah NP. He came back and told us. Since we were obviously going to continue, he said he would pretend he hadn’t talked to us. 

The entrance kiosk on the trail didn’t have permits, so we just continued on. We will just ask for forgiveness if we get stopped. However, we’ve not heard of any problems. 

Off we go along Skyline Dr. The trail went off just after the bridge. 

We crossed Skyline Dr at several Gaps. 

Skyline Dr at McCormick Gap. 


The terrain wasn’t too bad considering we climbed three mountains. Although, really, none of them were that difficult. 

Look! An actual sign!

This was at the top of Calf Mtn. We also climbed Turk Mtn (but not to the summit). 

Sure Foot and I stopped for lunch at a creek. I drank a lot of water which turned out to be a good thing. When we got to Sawmill Overlook, I realized we had no more water sources until Blackrock Hut which was 11.1 miles away. Now, I had an inkling that we would have to go all the way to the hut. Not that I wanted to do 20.7 miles! Dusty had texted saying she had to go to the hut. I texted back that I would try. 

At the next road crossing/parking lot, I saw some people getting out of their car to go for a hike. I asked them if they had any extra water. They did, and gave me two bottles. I asked if Sure Foot could have some too. I knew he had less water than me. They have him two bottles too. In all the excitement of getting water, I ended up walking .3 down a yellow blaze trail. We didn’t see any yellow blazes until we were at the .3 mark. I said some choice words, and turned around. Just what we needed, another .6 on an already long day!

Not too much later, around 4:00, a thunder storm rolled in. I put my pack cover on, but didn’t bother with my rain gear. It was too hot. It poured down rain, flooding parts of the trail. My shoes were soaked, I was soaked. 

Soaking wet! But, cooler!

Eventually, the rain lessened. By the time I was doing the last couple of miles it had stopped altogether. I didn’t really get much dried out, but it was starting. My phone was acting up, not allowing me to do anything (I couldn’t even shut it off). Finally I guess my fingers dried out enough or something, that I could make it work again. I had seen a cute little box turtle, but I couldn’t take a photo. I was able to finally take a photo of one of my little orange friends. 

Just when I didn’t think I could go any further, I saw the sign to the hut. I hobbled the .2 down, and Dusty said “Yay, you made it! Congratulations on your first 20 miler!”

I was exhausted. Since there were not really any decent tent sites, we all slept in the hut. The 20 mile day wouldn’t have been that bad if I’d had the mind set of doing that mileage, although, I did have the thought in my head...