I had to switch to my regular glasses because it was a little dark in the trees! I also have to say, it was a tiny bit nerve wracking until either I got used to it, or it got lighter…I don’t know. The trail is a cross between the Willapa Hills Trail, and the Palouse to Cascades. Maybe more P2C. We did follow a creek for the entire time we were on it (11 miles). There are numerous bridges/trestles.
The surface is advertised as crushed limestone, but it is really a bit more rough than that. There are some roots and rocks to watch out for, as well as some muddy spots. Overall, it was a good alternative because…no cars, but it was a bit longer, and probably slower than if we’d stayed on the road. Near where we got off the trail, the AT joined. Perception is interesting. When we did the AT, I thought the VCT was really wide…like a road. Nope, it’s really just railroad wide. I guess, compared to the AT, it is wide.
Here, through this field, it was even a double track.
AT white blaze. This was where we got off at a trailhead to head out to the road.
We were almost to the trailhead parking lot when Doug’s bike made an awful sound, and he bailed off of it like he hit an ejection button! His front tire must have picked up a rock that got caught in the fender. It totally destroyed the fender.
The stay on the other side was completely pulled out of the mount by the skewer. The bottom of the fender was totally broken. He took the fender off. Fortunately, at the trailhead parking, there was a trash can. No more front fender for Doug.
Back on the road, we weren’t far from Konnarock. We stopped in at the grocery, and had a morning snack. The owner said the road was pretty flat, even though our map showed a climb. While it wasn’t flat, it wasn’t a steep climb either. Yay!
The spot where there was more of a climb, was up to the Mt. Rogers trailhead parking. It was right where we crossed into yet another Grayson County. This happens to be close to the Grayson Highlands which we hiked through on the AT (it’s where the wild ponies are). Today happens to be my grandson, Grayson’s, 8th birthday.
I sent this photo to him. We also have just 8 days until we finish. So, 8 was quite an auspicious number today!
There was a nice long downhill (with just a few ups) into Sugar Grove. We got “lunch” at the Dollar General. Actually, I just got a bottle of Gatorade, and ate a Pro Meal bar that I had in my pannier. They have a ton of calories.
We continued on, trending down, but doing multiple rollercoaster hills.
Around the corner, and up.
We came into a town called Rural Retreat.
Look! Doug matches the water tower!
One final snack, and we were back on the road for 11 more miles to Wytheville. Now, you might think it is pronounced “Whythville”. Nope…it’s pronounced “With-ville”.
We found the city park, Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park, called the Community Center to check in, and then went over to the nearby police station to get the keys for the restrooms. Except, the police station lobby was closed. I called the number on the door, and eventually an officer came out and said another officer had unlocked the doors. Excellent! Unfortunately, he didn’t turn the lights on. Oh well…that’s what headlamps are for! I heated up some water, did a sink bath with my headlamp on, and now I’m fresh as a daisy (that was maybe picked two days ago). The park is very sloped, so we have set up our tents in the picnic shelter.
We are hoping against hope that the lights don’t come on in the shelter tonight…
T-Minus 8 Days!
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