AT Day 51 – Luxurious Hiking

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5th June

25 miles

Bushcamp to (913.8) to Byrds Nest #3 Hut (938.8)

The rain started the very second I started to pack up my tent. I cared little for how I folded the tent, it was wedged in my pack. The umbrella was promptly set up and I started hiking. The rain wasn’t heavy but it was steady for about an hour. Later the droplets from the trees rained down on me with every gust of wind.

At 10am I’d hiked 10 miles to the Big Meadow Lodge. A reasonably priced menu had me ordering two servings for breakfast which included scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, toast and pancakes with four cups of coffee. I do like coffee. The waitress had seen it all before with many a hungry hiker frequenting the lodge. I sat near the window and watched the rain come and go for about 45 minutes.

I left Big Meadow Lodge around 11am and only saw one other thru hiker for the rest of the day. I must be past the last of the hiking bubbles. I suspect I will not see too many hikers on trail from now on, just in places like towns where hikers congratulate for longer. Soon I’ll be taking a few days rest from hiking to be a tourist in the capital, Washington DC. I’m not sure how many days I’ll have off. When I get back on trail I think I’ll start to see some familiar faces again.

The trail was pleasant today. Again there were no big hills and lots of viewpoints over the rolling hills and plains below. The trail followed Skyline Drive, a popular driving route through Shenandoah National Park. There were lots of picnic areas with restrooms and trash containers. They were welcome as I didn’t need to carry my trash for very long. Around 6pm I utilised one of these picnic areas to cook dinner. It’s a luxury to use a picnic table to eat a meal. After dinner I walked another 2 miles through the darkening fog to camp. I like hiking in Shenandoah National Park.


Next : Day 52 – Racing to Town

All the best information on the Appalachian Trail:
Complete Guide to the Appalachian Trail
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About the Author:
Brad is an Australian who has completed the hiking Triple Crown after he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and Appalachian Trail. He has hiked on every continent (except Antarctica) and has cycled from Alaska to Ecuador. He is an expert on outdoor gear currently living in Chile.

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8 thoughts on “AT Day 51 – Luxurious Hiking”

  1. As always Brad, your excellent photography tellls us what words cannot of your journey. When you leave the trail some day, you are guaranteed success in the publishing world. Make sure your book(s) include a lot of your photos. Best wishes for continued safe travels!
    Don in Wisconsin.

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  2. DC, you will so enjoy that. My favorite pics at Arlington Cemetery and you have to witness the Changing of the Guard. It is magnificent, and then The Library of Congress. The building alone is something to marvel and every book ever published is there! Then all the Smithsonian’s are free to view and all within walking distance so a piece of cake for a well traveled hiker that you. Should be a good time to visit before the humidity gets too crazy. Enjoy and get yourself some Tapas while you are there. Best bargain in town and they have specials every afternoon. Cheers, GG

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