Day 4 – Hawk Mountain to Ram Rock Mountain

Day four. There is something sharp in the wall of Hawk Mountain Shelter that pokes up few holes in my down jacket. I will fix it when I get to town.

Privy, breakfast, and on to Ram Rock Mountain. I am getting up a little earlier and becoming a little more efficient. Every day I learn something new.

The hike started uphill and I quickly learned I do not like starting uphill and I would rather sacrifice cold nights for morning ascents. Whatever that last peak is I will hit the campsite closest to it.

I believe I hit my second trail magic, which was water left at Cooper Ridge by the military training in the area. They also had MREs. Don at Yellow Blazin gave me my first trail magic, which was hand and body warmers. Cooper Ridge trail magic pictured below.

Onward to Sassafras Mountain. This was by far the most difficult climb I have had and the descent was more difficult. Rocks and roots and steep terrain were tough.

I ran into Katie, another ridgerunner, on the approach to Ram Rock Mountain. She found the mountain name amusing for some. Katie was carrying a bag of trash and confirmed to me the “Five Piece” of trash challenge and I took up the challenge as all you have to do is pick up a few pieces of trash and you receive some awesome honorary prize.

At a little past 4 p.m. I hit Ram Rock Mountain found a campsite and began to unpack. Ram Rock Mountain has a view of Atlanta, which I was terribly interested in, but the view was great pictured below.

 

After setting up camp I made dinner. Katie informed me that I may be lacking in water so I made tuna salad cold tacos for dinner (surprisingly good) and pb&j tacos for breakfast.

Day four I learned some organization. I watched a lot of YouTube stuff about meal organization and I went with none. I would have to dig through my bag for food, but I had no idea what or how much I would be eating. Tonight, I put my meal plan together for the following day.

Onward to Blood Mountain tomorrow.