Wednesday, June 14, 2017
When Stick and I left camp this morning at 7:30, we thought this would be an easy day. We knew we only had about eight miles to go to reach Reid’s (sometimes spelled Reed’s) Gap.
This was a destination we had both been looking forward to reaching for several days.
Actually, it wasn’t Reid’s Gap we were thinking about, but what was located a short hitchhike down the road.
| Weather | Hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorm |
| Trail Conditions | Steep and rugged climb over Three Ridges Mountain |
| Today's Miles | 7.9 miles |
| Trip Miles | 842.8 miles |
If you know me at all you will not be surprised to know the reason for that anticipation. For you see, dear reader, just down the road from Reid’s Gap was a brewery.
More specifically, the destination was Devil's Backbone Brewing Company, where a special effort is made to welcome and support thru-hikers.
Getting there shouldn’t be too difficult, we thought. Just one climb over Three Ridges Mountain and we would be practically there.
Just get over this mountain, we thought, which turned out to be a rugged, steep monster of a mountain.
I have learned to not dwell on the trail elevation profile as I look ahead at what’s to come. I’ve decided there’s no point to dwell on that. It will be what it will be. Knowing I'm about to face a difficult climb isn’t going to make that climb any easier.
Still, if I had looked ahead I would have known this climb was going to slow me down. Going up Three Ridges Mountain involved going up more than 2,000 feet in about 3.25 miles.
There were a few views to break up the climb, but honestly, I wasn’t especially interested in them, except to use as an excuse to stop and catch my breath.
Maybe it was because of the rocks and steep elevation change, or maybe it was the heat of the day, but this was a climb that never seemed to end.
There were also a few false summits, which every self-respecting steep and tall mountain is required to have.
The trail wasn’t all climb, but the spots where it leveled off were few and far between.
The departure from the peak wasn’t nearly as steep, nor as long. There was also one viewpoint available, located at a spot called Hanging Rock Overlook.
From here, we could look back to see The Priest.
At 12:45 p.m. we reached Reid's Gap. There was just one problem.
Which way was it to the brewery? We wanted to make sure as we stuck out our thumb to hitchhike we were heading in the right direction.
It turned out, that wasn’t really a problem. It seems the locals know all hikers want to go to Devil’s Backbone.
The third car to go by stopped to pick us up, and we were on our way.
Hurt, our driver, lives just down the road from the brewery. We thanked him for dropping us off at the entry gate.
The first order of business upon our arrival was lunch. And by that I mean lunch and beer.
Not only was the beer good here, but the food was too.
The brewpub sits on a 100-acre tract. After lunch we walked a short distance away to an open spot surrounded by trees, where thru-hikers are allowed to camp. Port-o-potties were provided, but no showers.
Soon after we set up our tents, Stick left to go back to the brewery, while I stayed behind to rest.
A brief rainstorm whipped through, so I stayed in my tent. In the meantime, Stick got a personal tour of the brewery and a free beer.
Oh well.
After the rain passed through I walked back to the outdoor patio at the brewpub. There were electrical outlets here, so other hikers and I hung out, and charged our batteries and phones.
I met some new hikers this afternoon, including Boomer and Jason, and Jason’s dog, Maple.
RedEye was also here. I figured she would be far ahead of us by now, after seeing her on Day 60, and Day 61, yet here she was.
This stop did not disappoint.
After dinner in the brewpub, we continued to hang out with the other hikers. It wasn't until nearly 10 p.m. that I went to bed. That’s an hour past hiker midnight, and much later than my normal bedtime.
It was a fun day with old and new friends.
I lit out from Reno
I was trailed by twenty hounds
Didn't get to sleep that night
Till the morning came around
I set out running but I take my time
A friend of the Devil is a friend of mine
If I get home before daylight
I might get some sleep tonight
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