Tuesday, March 8th

Long Branch Shelter to Winding Stair Gap 

7.2 miles

Total miles 109.4

Another early start. I wasn’t sure how far I would be able to hike today. My knee is still acting up. I was able to push through all the way to Winding Stair Gap. If the pain had been too bad, I could have stopped at Rock Gap Shelter, a few miles in. 

The last part of my hike was challenging. I, and other hikers, were surprised how hard the terrain was between Wallace Gap and Winding Stair Gap. It didn’t seem like it would be after researching it on FarOut and the AWOL AT guide. Maybe it was due to the amount of rocks. Who knows. It just seemed difficult. 

I heard and saw 3 ruffled grouse today. They made an interesting noise I had never heard before. Then they were flying right in front of where I was walking. 

The best part of my day was at the very end of my hike. I met three trail angels in the form of section hikers. They asked if I was a thru-hiker and if I needed a ride to Franklin. It was a man, his daughter, and daughter’s boyfriend. After talking to me for about 15 minutes, they offered to buy me lunch too. They were going to a Mexican restaurant. I took them up on their offer and had a wonderful time getting to know them. The dad was starting his thru-hike on May 1st. 

After lunch, I was dropped off at the Microtel hotel where I had made reservations. A shower after a week was the greatest thing ever. There wasn’t a guest laundry so I hand washed my clothes and hung them up. By morning, I had fresh new clothes, a good night’s sleep, and a very clean self. I love soap, just saying. 🙂

Steamboat

Appalachian Trail Ambassador

My trail angels