Day One: 3.8 Outcasts Total Miles: 2418
VA 670 to VA 601
Day Two: 11.2
VA 601 to USFR 644
Day Three: 9.9
USFR 644 to Little Brushy Mt.
Day Four: 4.5
Little Brushy Mt. to VA 610
Total Miles: 29.4
This hike we started by leaving our car at the Quarter Way Inn in Ceres, VA. Tina met us at the door with a welcoming smile. We got a tour of the old farm house which is a must if you are in the area.
We used Bubba (276-730-5869) for our shuttle driver who took us back to Teas Road to start our hike. It was a cool windy afternoon, but the sun was shining beautifully.
We started the climb up Pugh Mt. and then made camp up on VA 601. There was a lady Southbounder camped there for the night so after visiting we went across the road a ways and set up camp for the night. We had us a campfire, ate, and took some cough medicine under the stars.
Day Two:
We got up and did us some walking today. We checked out the fancy Partnership Shelter which has a shower and a view of the lake below. We saw two day hikers near the Mount Rogers NRA Headquarters. We climbed Brushy Mt. and Locust Mt. today and then headed to the Chatfield Shelter, which is not hammock friendly. We crossed USFS 644 and found a place to hang for the night. It was another beautiful night under the stars.
I saw for the first time in my life, a comet hitting the atmosphere and exploding. It was awesome and shot flames every which direction. I tried to point it out to Marco, but it happened too fast. That night the owls talked to us after we were in our hammocks.
Day Three:
We got packed up after breakfast and headed out. We got to checkout the Lindamood Schoolhouse along side the trail. A Baptist church had stocked it for thru hikers with drink, food, and hygiene supplies. It got to shorts and tee shirt weather today. Lots of beautiful scenery until we got to US 81 dodging traffic. Gotta do what you gotta do.
We ate lunch at the cow pasture after VA 617 and saw another Southbounder. We filled up with water after crossing the cow pasture and took advantage of the water with a quick bath. Davis Path Campsite is the location of an old shelter. The privy is still there and a picnic table, but no water. After that we climbed Little Brushy Mt. which really is not little! Especially after loading up with extra water.
We found us a campsite for the night on top and had another great evening around the campfire.
Day Four:
After leaving camp and going down the mountain, as we were hiking through a rhododendron tunnel, I saw a deer standing right in the middle of the trail just looking back at me. She waited until I got her picture.
We finally found what we were looking for. The quarter of the way sign. It is located at Crawfish Valley just before the side trail. Someone had painted out the mileage each way to Maine and Georgia, but it was still the quarter way mark.
After that we climbed Big Walker Mt. and down to VA 610. We added a quarter mile going back to the Quarter Way Inn where we had another great visit with Tina before heading to Waffle House.
Pictures:
