We hiked this section on September 16, 2012.
We were thrilled to join the Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club! We met the group at Blackhorse Gap just before 9 AM. The members of the group were Nancy, Andy, Brian, Jim, and Robert.
There was a 20% chance of rain today and it was windy with dark clouds all around us.
We left Dirigo’s truck at Blackhorse Gap and then took 2 cars to Curry Gap. Curry Gap is not marked but there is a locked gate in front of Salt Pond Road – a United States Forest Service Road.
The hike leader Nancy gave us a description of the hike and everyone agreed to hike at a brisk pace so that we could finish before it rained. Nancy said that she didn’t mind if people hiked in front of her as long everyone met up at specific points along the hike.
We started up Salt Pond Road which is a rough fire road. Within no time, we were at the AT trail head. We took a group picture and then turned right to hike north on the AT.
Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club members
Almost all of this section is maintained by the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club. Everyone was amazed at the size of a widow maker that was hanging over the trail.
Widow maker
Nancy would stop and tell us about the various flowers we saw along the trail! We remembered seeing pink Indian Pike and a lonely bunch of orchids.
It has been a long time since we have done any long ascents so the steady climbs left us huffing and puffing. It definitely reminded us that we needed to shed some extra pounds!
The water level at Wilson Creek was low and the creek is 0.7 miles down from the shelter. We took a short break at the creek and a lost bear hound came bounding up the trail.
The bear hound wound up following us all the way to to Wilson Creek Shelter. The name on the hound’s collar was Preacher and he also had 2 radio tracking collars.
We ate lunch at Wilson Creek Shelter and quickly got cold because we were sweaty and there was a slight breeze.
Wilson Creek Shelter
Preacher went around begging for food but everyone agreed to not feed him.
Preacher begging for food
We met a SOBO hiker from Hanover, PA just after the shelter. He was a really nice young man who was only doing 17 miles today. We offered him some snacks which he gladly accepted.
As we approached the end of the hike, we saw the NBATC trail maintenance sign and let out a cheer!
Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club sign
When we got to the parking lot a local guy was holding Preacher’s collar. He told us that he had called the number on the collar and would wait for the owner to arrive.