Rock Spring Cabin to Swift Run Gap ~ 20.6 miles, climb 3700, desc 4300 ft. (one way)

Whee, that was a long way. I started at 8:30am and finished at 4:30pm, which is much earlier than I expected. I figured I'd be getting out the headlamp, but I couldn't have asked for any better day or trail. As always, the treadway in SNP is excellent. I think it's the best footing anywhere on the AT that is not on an old jeep road or current country lane. The climbs were split up over the climb to Big Meadows, Hazeltop Mtn, Bush Mtn, Bearfence Mtn, Lewis Mtn and Saddleback Mtn. It all adds up to the aforementioned 3700 ft (southbound).

Some of the best views, IMHO, occurred immediately in the section from Rock Spring to Fisher's Gap. I also saw many deer on this section of the trail, and one (small) red squirrel. Gray squirrels are everywhere, but I've never seen a red one before. I still have not seen a bear in SNP. Bearfence Mountain is quite scenic (and would be spectacular when the laurels are in bloom), but I didn't find the views exceptional. Bearfence Hut was about par for the SNP. Since I had already gone through 2 liters of water by that point (half way through the hike), I decided to take some water out of the spring, filtering be damned. It was running, but if the rain doesn't pick up here, I wouldn't expect it to be by June.

I crossed a number of small seasonal flows here and there, but overall, there was a lot less water than you would expect in March. I did not bother to take the either of the Falls trails, since I suspect they weren't very interesting this year. I did take the blue blaze over the top of Bearfence (.2 over that or on the AT, why not see the damn summit for the same distance!?), and I'm glad I did. The rocks up there are pretty fun.

My shuttle driver (Bobby Jenkins) was terrific, and based on my experience with him and with the hike, I suspect I will do the South Section of Shenandoah National Park the same way I completed the Central Section -- in (two) long day hikes.

Based on my level of soreness today, I'd say that I could do 15 miles and easily get up and hike the next day -- all the tiredness and soreness seems to have occurred in the last 5 miles. I'm basing this on the fact that I had a soft bed and a hot bath last night, something I couldn't have in the backcountry. That said, I easily stayed up until midnight last night, and only my hamstrings are still sore today. Miraculously, my feet don't hurt a bit, and as usual, my Merrell shoes left my feet blister and hot spot free. In short, I think I am prepared for my four-day hike coming up in a couple of weeks.