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57 Miles From Daleville to Glasgow (ECT Days 129 – 131)
Three pleasant days… I had great weather and the trail didn’t throw anything too crazy at me. Really, the forest was quite similar to what I’ve been seeing and the trail had a familiar feel. Some highlights were the views around the Blue Ridge Parkway and traversing down the steep mountainside toward the James River and into Glasgow, VA
Hail Storm Ridge Tentsite to Wilson Creek Shelter (Day 129)
- Hiked Today: 14.6 miles
- Appalachian Trail (727.2 – 741.8)
- Total Hiked: 2,676.7 miles
- Total Paddled: 99.5 miles
Weather 60 – 75 °F, sunny and beautiful with a wonderful breeze
Elevation: 1,250 – 2,657 feet
I got soaked pretty good last night, but the things that matter to keep dry, stayed dry. Thankfully, it wasn’t raining when packing up, but the tent was still soggy and with some mud splashed along the sides. I had just over three miles of trail to get into the town of Daleville, VA.
Starting out, the trail continued on the ridge and much to my dismay had a healthy portion of up. After a mile or so, I started the switchbacky trail down though. My plan was to get in to town early, charge up my power bank, resupply with food for the next stretch, of course do some feasting, and after all that make my return to trail.
At the bottom, I took a little side road to get to the grocery store stripmall complex, I passed some fancy condos. But it was a super nice and short little jaunt off trail for resupply activities. First stop was Wendy’s where they used to sell a junior bacon cheeseburger for a dollar. I’m still bitter about the day that changed.
Next, I strolled over to Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea which I would use as a base of operations for the rest of the morning and early afternoon. Patrick, the barista, was super hospitable and let me charge things while running around doing my shopping and pack organizing. In return, I bought a coffee in the morning and later in the day went for a mixed berry smoothie. It had real fruit and everything people, I watched him blend it up. I’m so healthy 😅
At 2:00 pm, after completing all my tasks, I tore myself away from chatting with hikers, and headed back towards trail. At 2:07 pm, I was on the AT heading north again. A successful mission. Clock me out for 6.5 hours at the classic in and out resupply. Leaving town, it took about an hour before it felt like things quieted down. Prior to that, there were several roads and lawns and houses and such. Once a ways into the hike though, there was a magnificent breeze that felt good and offered intriguing sounds up above as the leaves rustled way up above.
Yesterday, hiking through Virginia’s “Triple Crown” sites, there were so many people. I didn’t see anyone on today’s hike except for two day hikers and a trail runner both of which were early on. It was also a pretty enjoyable grade for the most part. I got to the shelter and found George and Kanga hanging as well as a few other tenters. Most stuck to themselves with all the sickness stuff still going around, but Tool Time joined us for dinner. It was a nice evening with absolutely perfect weather. The evening sun shining brightly through the leaves was a spectacle.
Here’s today’s photos…
I’m just going to keep taking photos of these dudes. They’re awesome.
My first thought was a wild strawberry, but thinking something different.
There were maybe 8-10 people around, but none of us dared brave the shelter don’t recent noro virus rumors.
Wilson Creek Shelter to Giant Soccer Ball (Day 130)
- Hiked Today: 29.8 miles
- Appalachian Trail (741.8 – 771.6)
- Total Hiked: 2,706.5 miles
- Total Paddled: 99.5 miles
Weather 55 – 75 °F, sunny and beautiful, bit cloudy towards end of day
Elevation: 948 – 4,210 feet
Today was a big and long day. Last night, Kanga had checked the elevation gain for today’s hike and said it was a lot, so when I started out cruising, I was confused. I did 10 miles before 10:00 am and then 20 miles before 2:00 pm. The last third part of the day after leaving lunch is when the elevation hit me! My pace slowed to a trudge then.
The highlight of the day was in the morning traveling around the Blue Ridge Parkway. There were numerous viewpoints and it had a nice feel to it. Many hikers choose to walk the road instead of the trail it seems. I get it too… most of this part of the road was closed for some reason, so it’d be just like a really wide asphalt trail 🤷.
I have milk and cereal. Wanted to switch up from oatmeal.
Albums of the Day:
“The All-American Rejects” (2002) – The All-American Rejects
“The Lion’s Roar” (2012) – First Aid Kit
Giant Soccer Ball to Glasgow Shelter (Day 131)
- Hiked Today: 15.9 miles
- Appalachian Trail (771.6 – 787.5)
- Total Hiked: 2,722.4 miles
- Total Paddled: 99.5 miles
Weather 55 – 75 °F, sunny and beautiful
Elevation: 654 – 4,210 feet
The feeling at the end of the day of being drained continued through to this morning. I just felt fatigued and my left quad started a dull sort of pain on the downhill. I got going right away and eyed a spot for second breakfast, but after just a few miles opted to take breaky early. Kanga and George showed up unexpectedly, so that was nice. Leaving the break, I just had a feeling that I might not see them on trail again seeing as they’re hoping to start pushing even bigger miles.
I kept the hike slow going the rest of the way down to the James River. It was pleasant. After crossing a brilliant pedestrian bridge, I reached a parking lot. There I spotted two women packing up there vehicle and asked if they might consider taking me into town. Lisa and Tracy had just finished an overnight trip with a group and were happy to help. It was great.
I really enjoyed my time in Glasgow, Virginia. It’s small, but had everything a hiker needs and it was all close. A really cool thing is that they have a shelter in town for AT hikers. I joined Mr. Shorty, Persuasion, High Water, and Blue Jay there for the evening. I even went for dinner at Scotto’s Pizza (the one restaurant in town… also super conveniently close), although sadly that whole crew was still stuffed from their lunch visit.
Not wanting to be super close to all the people and surfaces due to the norovirus stuff, I decided to tent still. It was supposed to start raining around wake up time, but I hoped to try and pack up dry. Fingers crossed!
Giant Soccer Ball spotted up there.
Sassafras?
The Mighty River James
This is the shelter for AT hikers in the town of Glasgow.
A church, a truck, and a firehouse… America!
I left a solo sock, but thankfully other hikers spotted it and asked me if I was missing one. A nice lady also gave us hikers the rest of her giant detergent bottle there.
I visited Scotto’s Pizza, which also serves a bunch of other foods. For once, I wasn’t feeling pizza. This burger and the mess of loaded fries hit the spot!
Truthfully, I didn’t hang by the fire much. It was a perfect time to hang with other hikers, but I was absolutely beat tired and went to my tent early.
If you’ve been enjoying following along, and also want to help kids get access to the outdoors, please consider supporting Outdoors Empowerment Network! I added the “Tip Author” button below that will directly link to my fundraising page. My goal is to raise $2 for every mile I hike on the ECT, so around $12,000. I’m amazed at how much we’ve already raised for this great cause. Y’all are truly amazing. Thank you!!!
Album of the Day:
“The Mission: Music From the Motion Picture” (1986) – Ennio Morricone
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Comments 7
Great spot on the AT! I remember hiking that section back in 1998. The saplings you photographed are indeed sassafras. The leaves are edible, though they have a slightly gummy consistency. I like the flavor myself. Also useful for TP in a pinch (making them inedible after that of course!)
The truck in your picture looks like Tow Mater from Cars!
I thought of Tow Mater too 😅. I grew up occasionally trying sassafras tea made via the roots. It kind of had a root beer flavor. I feel like recently I remember hearing about negative health stuff with it though 🤷
Yeah, I heard that too about sassafras, but I figure with all of the other pretty terrible things I ate as a kid (and sometimes as an adult), that was probably the least of my concerns! 😁
What a shame the JBC is no longer $1, I believe you or one of our buddies even wrote an essay about that even :).
Great pictures as always, especially the animals and flowers. I believe the orange critter you saw is an Eastern Newt, I figured some sort of salamander. Fun fact of the day inspired by that picture and me trying to learn the name. All newts are salamanders, but not all salamanders are newts. Maybe common knowledge, but news to me 🙂
I dream of cheeseburgers while hiking.
thx for the post.
Cheers!
It seems the camaraderie amongst the trail
hikers and kindness of others along the way
gets you thru some sticky situations. This along
with your own ability to adapt saves you from
some difficulties. For example : using the
carabineer as a clothespin for the “tent fly” was,
out of necessity, a good idea.
The green snake and the orange salamander
must have a hard time blending in with the
surroundings.
The “welcome mat” is out in Glasglow; definitely a “ECT” friendly town.
I would to know how it’s “3miles of trail” to Daleville from the App Trail. I live in buchanan and the Trail isn’t anywhere near Daleville. Some of my family lives in Glasgow.
Please explain cuz it’s not adding up for me. BTW – I know the area pretty good, after 25 years here.