Jennings Creek to Bearwallop Gap (6.50 Miles)

We hiked this section on November 13, 2011.

This was our second key exchange hike but this time we did not have Zero with us.

Dirigo dropped Python off at Jennings Creek just after 8 am.

Python then walked across the bridge and then took a left to enter the woods. Within minutes, she came across a very cold looking Korean gentleman who was taking a break.

Dirigo, took a wrong turn going back to Bearwallow so she thought she would be way behind Python in hiking, but she made good time climbing Cove Mt.

We usually do not hike alone so this felt odd.

We know that bad things can happen on the trail and that there are some bad people. But, we did not want to be afraid of hiking alone. We thought of Meredith Emerson and how her bravery helped catch a brutal killer. Since her death, her friends and family had started Right To Hike in her honor.

The night before we purchased long range walkie talkies so that we could attempt to stay in touch with each on the trail. We knew that our iPhones would be of a little value near the Blue Ridge Parkway. We started hiking approximately 6.5 miles apart but were not able to communicate via the walkie talkies until we were about 2-3 miles apart.

Python headed south and the trail was covered by the leaves.

Since the trees were void of leaves, we could feel the warmth of the sunshine all day long. It was a splendid day to be on the trail! Dirigo was heading north and down hill, it seemed like, all day!

Since we were both hiking alone, we turned around every once in a while to see if anyone was behind us. Fortunately, the rustling of the leaves would have alerted us to someone getting close. During a break to take off a layer of clothing, the nice Korean gentleman passed Python. After the shelter a day hiker was heading south and Dirigo stopped and talked for a few minutes. He asked if she had seen many people and talked about the beautiful day.

Python reached the Cove Mountain shelter around 9:30 am. This was an older shelter with a privy but no water source.

We met on the trail just north of the Cove Mountain Shelter. Dirigo was making great time! Dirigo gave Python the car keys and gave very detailed instructions on how to get back to Jennings Creek.

Python saw something bloated and dead right in the middle of the trail. We think it was a vole? I wonder how it died?

The descent into Bearwallop Gap was tough on Python’s toes.

She was really glad to reach the truck because she desperately wanted to get out of her hiking boots. Dirigo’s downhill from the shelter seems like it was jarring her toes. She felt the blister coming again on her right big toe. Here we go again, with the feet?

Python drove the truck to the Blue Ridge Parkway and then drove approximately 1.9 miles until she saw a sign for Powell’s Gap. Then she took the left onto 618 (bent sign) which is a forest road. This road seemed to go on forever (and even had a couple of Conferderate flags). Once she reached 614, she took a left and within minutes arrived at the parking lot for Jennings Creek where Dirigo was waiting.

It was getting colder as the day wore on and she had to put on her puff jacket while she waited. Dirigo talked with a man who was sectioning hiking with his daughter in the parking lot and the daughter had bailed on him as it was too cold.

Python has a horrible sense of direction so Dirigo was very relieved when she saw her truck!