McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 8/30/2024 | AT Mile 360.8 | Day Total: 17.0 miles | Gain: 4795 ft

Another day in the Whites. I packed up fairly quickly but quietly this morning. The other hiker I’m with seems to talk/mumble to himself a bit in his tent. I thought he was talking to me a few times.

I’m planning on doing a resupply once I’m down off this mountain. There’s comments of a little store about a mile up the road that I may give a shot. Otherwise there’s a better resupply at the gas station a few miles up the road. I would need to hitch in that case. I could see the green roof of the small store in the valley from the view at camp. I’ve got extra dinners because I packed an extra and didn’t eat one because I had leftovers from a work for stay. All I really need is breakfast, 1 lunch and snacks.

Once I was down off the mountain I walked a mile up the street to the small store “Willey House” it’s primarily a nicknack shop but they have a little bit of food. I was able to get snacks and two microwave bowls of oatmeal. The woman at the counter was super kind and we talked for a while about the trail. She’s considering doing it herself in a few years. She offered me 3 bags of ramen noodles that a hiker left. I happily took one for a lunch. I also got a muffin, Powerade, Doritos, and a piece of fudge to eat now while I let a few things charge.

I left the Wiley House refueled and ready to take on more of the whites! Just have to walk a while down the road…

The hike up to Zealand Mountain was super nice. It was right next to the parking lot and well graded. Very little large rocks and no roots. We crossed train tracks pretty early on and while I was talking with a nobo we heard a quiet rumble and turned our heads and a work truck was driving down the tracks. It had modified wheels underneath so it could cruise on the track. I later heard a louder tout of a train horn and the truck must have been clearing the track (making sure no blowdowns in the way). I also crossed a slanted old bridge that was a little sketchy.

Once I was on top, the trail flattened out a bit and was free of rocks and roots. This was probably the fastest 6 miles I’ve had. Probably moving around 3mph. I crossed Whitewall slide and got some views into the valley.

The end of the flatness was the Zealand Falls hut. I took a pit stop here and filled after and ate lunch. I checked out the log book and BINGO! I found an entry from July 7th 1999 signed 1st Degree! I was so excited! 1st Degree was my dad trail name for those that don’t know.

While I was eating another hiker walked up and I said hello. He’s also a sobo, trail name Bill Kill, the first I’ve seen in a few days. He started the 2nd of August and seems to be moving about the same pace as I am. He started late because he was to take the Bar, he’s in law school.

I left Zealand Falls hut before Bill Kill but expect to see him later as he’s trying to make it to Lincoln tomorrow. Although he’s going to the closer road to access the town.

As I began up to Zealand Mountian the trail passed the well for the hut. It’s electric and pumping water.

The hike up was a bit steeper than earlier but nothing I haven’t done before. I got to the side trail to the peak and snapped a quick picture.

Next I’ll hike further up to Mount Guyot followed by South Twin Mountain. Mount Guyot had good views of the surrounding area. South Twin Mountain has 360 views of the landscape.

The descent down off South Twin Mountain was steep and rocky. It’s .8 miles and 1500ft to Galehead Hut. I heard rumor that there was no work for stays yet at the hut so I was trying to make good time coming down the mountain.

I walked up to the hut and delivered the letter to Cooper from a croo member at Madison hut. He was pleased to receive it. I asked about work for stay and he said they had filled up so I asked about campsites and he said my best bet is Garfield Campsite 3 miles away.

I really didn’t want to hike 3 more miles today as it was already 6:20 and I had hiked a ton today already. I looked at comments on FarOut and found a few possible sites about a mile down the trail. I loaded up with water and headed that way. I didn’t check the log books here because they were all busy serving dinner.

I found a site just off the trail and set up my tent and ate some dinner. I saw Bill Kill walk by and we chatted for a sec. Going to bed at 9 tonight.