The Amazing View from the Top
Day 25 of the Trail: About 7.5 miles hiked
It sprinkled off and on through the night but by the time we got up it was a nice cool morning and the rain shook right off our tents. We stayed at a campsite next to the trail and the path that led to Groundhog Creek Shelter. It turns out that is where the majority of the Warrior Hike group had stayed, so we're now caught up with the group and on schedule to meet up with our hosts that will put us up for the night in a lodge near Max Patch.
It was supposed to be an easy day but there something about the previous day that carries over. Our legs just weren't ready for the hills. It took several miles to warm up and soon we were faced with a strong climb to Max Patch. Honestly, I was hot and tired and didn't want to go to the top of Max Patch, which is a mountain top bare of trees on top or also known as a bald , but the trail dictates our path so up we went.
There have been few times, and maybe this was the sole time, when I felt this climb was worth the entire hike. It was an amazing view and I can't emphasize how beautiful. The good news is that there is a parking lot nearby so the non-hiking type can drive there and walk to the top. Well worth the view and I suggest taking a packed lunch because you will wanna stay a while.
Time was ticking and we had to go so we scurried down and made it near mile marker 255 of the AT. There we were redirected off the trail by a sign which lead us about one half mile through the forest to the lodge. Once here, we were warmly greeted and shown a room to clean up in.
The lodge was an amazing custom rustic cabin made of repurposed wood and lumber. The windows and doors were salvage from an old school and the glass in them still had the "wavy" appearance from the imperfect technique used to make it, who knows how long ago. All the material used had a different story and our host David spoke well when he told them to us.
We snacked and talked all day till the rest of the Warrior Hikers showed up. A few us of were also treated to a tour of David's organic farm, from which a great deal of his food comes from. He had bees for honey, mushrooms for strew, apples and pears for jam, berries of all types, and almost anything you want. We had a very hardy dinner and I felt my internal battery recharge.
Our plan was to take advantage of the pancake breakfast in the morning and then hike about 18.5 miles to Hot Springs.
