Quarry Hill

Another brisk frosty morning of 33 degrees F and we wore EVERYTHING we brought to sleep in. Sleeping on platforms in a holler meant lots of updrafts and breezy weather. 🥶. The whippoorwills and barred owls eased us into slumber and woke us up before sunrise.

It’s one step in front of the other and you decide when to stop. The steep first mile up was compensated with several miles of ride top rolling walking on tree mulched paths. Regular stops and the sunshine encouraged feet in the stream breaks. Less wildflowers on these rocky acidic trails but tons of mountain laurel wild and blueberries just beginning to bud out. The lack of leaves on the trees makes for long peeking at the opposite rolling ridge tops. In a few weeks this will be a dense green tunnel but we get to experience the beauty in front of us and see what’s ahead.

Our longest day yet at 13.8 miles with full packs and 3 liters of water since we gave ourselves the option of dry camping. Glad we kept going to the little opening of Tom Run shelter arriving at 5:30. Bedtime!

Grateful for bird song alarm clock, Chrissy cooking and feet soaksRead more