Trail blog 5: Cornelius Creek to Troutville.

My phone was dead here so no pics nor vids on this post. Sorry.

It was about a ten mile walk into Troutville. It was mostly cruise with one big up to get to Fullhardt knob.

When I got to the shelter there were 3 tents set up inside with everyone still asleep. Or pretending to be. I wasn’t able to access the shelter or sign the log.

There was a guy named Ralph who I shared some conversation with. We talked about religion and objective faith. Ralph seemed a bit dismayed at my flexibility of belief, perhaps not understanding it is brought about through uncertainty. Ralph seemed very certain and barely able to concede the possibility of error.

After I made it to the road I took a mile walk to the free camping at the town park.

Normally free camping is a great idea, but I realized soon after I got there it wouldn’t be all rainbows and bubble gum.

The mosquitoes are really really bad. I can’t say this enough. The whole time I was in troutville I was fully clothed with long sleeves and pants. I also liberally applied deet. Everything was ineffective. I received 100s of bites during my stay and I’m pretty sure I’ve exchanged vital fluids via mosquito with every person and squirrel that visited the park.

The other issue, especially arriving on Sunday was that there are no stores near the camping area. If you want to spend any money or acuire any goods you have to walk 2-3 miles each way. There are no sidewalks, no shoulders,and no shade on troutville roads. There is lots of long grass to tromp through and I acquired a minor case of trench foot from walking through wet grass for miles during my stay.

But free is free and I got what I paid for.

I did manage to eat 4 burgers.That was probably the highlight of my day. I picked up some flowers and did some washing of clothes  that never actually dried. Then sleep.

I started out the day at Cove Mountain shelter and got a medium early start. I stopped briefly to enjoy an unmarked overlook.

From Cove Mtn

click to open gallery

It was hot even early, though the terrain was mild mostly following the blue ridge parkway. I stopped for a moment at the memorable named Purgatory Mountain, the Peaks of Otter, and other signage.

Blue Ridge Signs

click to open gallery

The construction on the parkway had a section closed which was nice for game. I spotted many turkey vultures, several deer, and my first ever bobcat sighting.

The mama darted across the road and the kitten went up a tree. While it was treed I managed to snag a pic, though of questionable quality given the rain and my phone cam. I noted it’s young paws were very oversized and it wore a nice set of chops on its cheeks.

I stopped for lunch at Boblets Gap shelter before pushing on to Wilson Creek, which was when the rain started.

Another traveller by the name of Bear Quota was occupying the shelter, which was a nice treat given that I’ve been camping alone for more than a week.

After eating I was having a smoke and managed to snag another low quality Pic in the rain, this time of an elusive owl.

foggy animal pics

click to open gallery. Don’t expect much

I found a full ass phone in the shelter, which I will bring with me to troutville in hopes of finding its home.

I left it at the Beech Hill hostel.

Hoping the rain will move out by tomorrow morning since I’m nearly out of food and can’t afford to lurk here and wait it out.