Day 43

Six Hundred Mile Marker

Starting mile 585.2

When I woke up this morning, I could tell that it rained a little over night, but my tarp had mostly dried. I got moving quickly so that I could pack up before any rain came. It’s a good thing I did because as soon as I put my pack on it started sprinkling. I had just under 7 miles to go before the Brushy Mountain Outpost and some hot food.

The climb up this morning was easy. There were more switchbacks in the three miles to the top than I think I’ve seen anywhere else on the trail. The rain really opened on me as I got to the top so I stopped and put on my rain gear. The rest of the miles to the Outpost was a wet rainy slog.

I got to the Outpost a little before ten, dropped my pack under the awning and headed in. I got a burger, fries and a drink. It was great. I got some hot food, and I was out of the rain. I hung around until about noon hoping the rain would clear up. It didn’t really let up but I headed out anyway.

The rain stopped shortly after leaving. I had another big climb after crossing I-77 then it was a long ridge walk. I was able to cruise and before I knew it, I had gone 12 miles in just over 4 hours. I stopped at the shelter because I was out of water. Then I threw my pack on and hiked a couple more miles. 

Today I crossed the 600-mile mark, less than 350 miles until I get home. I ended up doing 20.5 miles today with about 3900 feet of elevation gain.

Ending mile 605.6