McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 10/22/2024 | AT Mile 1351.4 | Day Total: 18.6 miles | Gain: 3727 ft

Slept like a rock last night. Woke up around 7 and put my contacts in. I went upstairs for blueberry pancakes and coffee. I stuffed my self with pancakes. Began packing up and headed over to the fly fishing shop for canister fuel. They are the only place in town that sells fuel. After my 1.4 miles walk I jumped on a call with Megan and Seth to plan next weekend. I’m super excited to see them!

After the call I finished packing up and coordinated a time to leave. Yardsale, Nola (Yardsales dog), Kill Bill and I stuffed ourselves in the sedan along with another hiker that’s being dropped off in town. It’s a quick 10 min drive back to the trail.

The first few miles were pretty easy going. Passed a huge black rat snake, an old chimney and a cemetery.

My first clear view was about 6 miles into the hike. Since we started hiking at 11 it is very HOT. I’m sweating like a pig. I’m used to the cool morning air but today the high is 80 and the sun is beaming.

I passed Paul Wolfe Shelter and I think Yardsale and Doc are calling an early day there today. I had a pretty big climb up Humpback Mountain. I stoped at a piped spring about a third of the way to filter water. The trail wasn’t too steep but I still went up 1500ft. The view at the top was pretty obstructed by trees.

There were multiple views as I slowly descended a little. Most were rock outcroppings.

I came up to a really stunning view and decided to take a picture with my phone propped up against a rock. Turned out a bit crooked.

The views became more and more stunning. One in particular at Cedar Cliffs was spectacular. It was a wide view of the valley and ranges afar.

Filtered some water at a spring and loaded up for camp about a mile from here. Yet had I known that this wouldn’t be the last time I’d visit it today…

The mile before the camp was pretty rocky. Reminded me of Pennsylvania. I walked up to camp and Kill Bill was pitched. I looked around and all the other possible sites were awful. Very rocky and slanted. I decided to push on to another site. About a third of a mile away I realized that my AirPod was missing… I had taken it out when I passed the camp. I searched bag and nothing… must have dropped it. All while I was digging around I realized I only had one of my water bottles… I must have left the other at the stream 1.3 miles ago… I think I’ve lost my mind.

I walked back to the camp and was able to connect to the missing AirPod. I downloaded an Bluetooth signal strength app and was able to target where it was at. Sure enough it was on the trail nearby. Lucky… it was nearly dark now and my bottle was a mile back at the stream. The grimy bottle has some sedimental value to me because it made it 1300miles… and I didn’t want to just leave it there. I left my pack with Kill Bill and walked back to the stream to retrieve my bottle. 2 mile round trip in the dark. Not to mention I haven’t even found a spot to camp tonight.

I’m the bright side the sky was beautiful! The colors were bright alongside above the neighboring ridge.

I eventually made it to the stream and grabbed the pesky bottle.

I made the mile trek back to by backpack and continued on to find a spot to camp. It wasn’t until a mile and a half later that I settled on an overlook for tonight. I pitched my tent, cooked dinner, journaled and went to bed. It’s a little after 10 and I’m just finishing the journal. I’m just glad I was able to retrieve everything.