Thu, 19 Oct 2006
Miles Today: ~10
Total Miles: ~27.5

This morning we awoke to perfect weather, just like last night. It wasn’t cold at all and there was a freshness in the air. By now, we were much more efficient in tearing down camp and packing up the gear, so we were on the trail a little after 9am, the earliest start so far. We headed south on the A.T., towards Hawksbill Mtn. On the way, we came to an open place in the trail and had a breathtaking view of the valley below bathed in fog. It looked like a white-capped sea brushing up against the mountain sides. We couldn’t help but take a few moments to enjoy the incredible view.

We continued on to Timber Hollow Overlook, where we decided to change our plans. Rain was once again in the forecast and we really wanted to hike a scenic canyon trail, so we decided to hold off on the plans to summit Hawksbill Mtn and instead hit the canyon trail first. We backtracked a bit until we hooked up with White Oak Run Trail, once of the most scenic trails in the park based on what I had read. The 5 miles White Oak Run Trail met up with the 3 mile Cedar Run Trail to form a circuit hike that included at least 6 waterfalls. We had only hiked a very short distance along a stream so far, so we were looking forward to having a watery companion for a hike.

Down we went into the canyon. And down…and down. The trail followed White Oak Run almost the entire distance, so we had no fears of running out of water. The waterfalls were as relaxing and satisfying as we were hoping they would be.

Along the way, we met up with many other hikers. Considering we had only encountered a few in the previous days, the crowded trail was quite a change. What really surprised us was how old some of the hikers were. Some were young like us, but they was no shortage of older couples. Considering how steeply the trail dropped (or rose, depending on the direction traveled), we were impressed at how fit these elders seemed. I hope I’m as fit when I reach their age!

Several hours later, we reached the bottom of the canyon. I was getting a bit tired at this point, but my back, legs and shoulders were holding up so far. We rested for a few minutes, then took the connecting trail over to Cedar Run Trail. This trail followed Cedar Run for most of it’s length, so we were again enjoying the scenic and peaceful sounds along the trail. We knew we would be descending out of the canyon, but we had hoped this ascent wouldn’t be as dramatic as White Oak Run’s.

It was. Hiking out of that canyon was one of the most physically demanding things I have done. I’ve done steep ascents like this before, but never with 30 lbs of weight on my back and not after a descending so steeply for so long. I prayed practically the entire way for strength to make it out. Because we were in a canyon, there was no place to camp, so we had to make it out. When the skies began to cloud and darkness began to fall, we began to wonder what we should do. just when we were making plans to hike in the dark, I heard cars in the distance. The road! With renewed vigor, we slung on our packs and plowed ahead. Step after step, drenched with sweat from the rather hot day, we trudged along, listening as the sounds of the road grew louder. Finally, as a few drops of rain fell, we saw the signs marking the entrance. We had made it!

Exhausted, but thrilled with our accomplishment, we plopped down by a tree and discussed our next course of action. We thought about heading to the nearest campground, but we’d need to get the car to make it there since it was too far away to hike this late in the day. I hitched a ride with a nice couple from Michigan back to where we had parked the car then drove back to picked up Mindy. I learned from my drivers that storms were expected overnight, and since we were heading home tomorrow anyway, we decided to forgo the campground and head back towards the interstate.

We’re gonna sleep well tonight!