McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 9/22/2024 | AT Mile 767.9 | Day Total: 21.8 miles | Gain: 4078 ft

Woke up to a beautiful pink sky this morning. The sun hadn’t peaked above the horizon yet. I began packing my things and it’s ten times easier to do this with lots of space in the shelter.

I began hiking at 8 this morning. I confirmed my suspicions as I passed a massive group of boy scouts. They had over 15 tents scattered about. Most were just getting up and walking around. One of the scouts was walking down the trail and asked me how far I had hiked. I told him over 700 miles and he was shocked.

A few minutes later I got to a nice view on a rock. There were two day hikers already here talking about lab grown meats. The sun was a bit above the horizon and gave beautiful lighting for a picture (featured image)

The next five miles after the view were slightly down hill or flat. There were some rocky sections, although not too bad. I strolled past a lake where a few days hikers were and a really small “barky” dog. I could hear him a half mile before I passed him.

I had a snack break and filtered some water at a stream a mile or two past the lake. I’m really loving the changing fall colors.

I had another climb up 700ft to a ridge I would walk on for some time. There were a few good views and a really big tree. Like 6ft diameter big.

At the end of the ridge there’s a road that takes you to a deli and pizza shop but it’s closed on Sundays… I’m glad I checked before I walked the half mile down the road.

Kill Bill was at the parking area at the road for the deli waiting on his mom to pick him up. He’ll be taking a zero tomorrow back at home and will be back late Tuesday. It’ll probably be a few days before I see him again.

I had a few smallish climbs after the road where I saw Kill Bill. Cooler weather today and partly cloudy. Not sweating as much which is nice. A few okay views were followed by a better wider one.

I descended to the RPH shelter. It’s a very nice and well maintained shelter with bunks. Someone added a personal touch with mannequin feet drywalled into the ceiling.

After RPH shelter I made my way up Hosner Mountain. At the parking area on Long Hill Road there was a a group of three eating on the trail. A southbound hiker was there with his family that live super close by. They offered me an orange and I gladly ate it while I talked with them for a few minutes.

Once at the top of Hosner Mountain I took in the 360 view. It’s the best view I’ve had all day. There was a 9/11 memorial painted on the rock on the top.

Just a few miles away is camp for the night. Unfortunately it’s .5 miles off trail. While I was on my way there I passed by a nice view of the beach and lake.

The shelter a quarter mile from the campground/beach with bathrooms and running water. It’s out of season so nobody is there but the water fountains are working and family bathrooms are unlocked.

Shortly after I arrived the gentleman that’s family gave me the orange walked up. He’s engineering a way to setup his hammock in the shelter. He’s familiar with electronics so we talked about that for a while before Rocky and Bun showed up. Rocky and Bun are sobo flip floppers.

I’ll be stopping at a deli and market at the end of the day tomorrow for food and resupply. Planning on having a shorter, still 14 miles, hike into town. I may be able to get there before lunch but I’m not going to rush. There a campground a mile away with an outdoor shower. Im going to take advantage of it as long as I’m not too cold.