I finally had a perfect hiking day last weekend on the Appalachian Trail near Roanoke

After months of rain and muddy boots, last Saturday gave me 14 miles of dry trail, 65 degree temps, and zero bugs (which never happens in Virginia in June). The ridge walk along Tinker Cliffs had visibility for miles and I only passed 3 other people the whole day. Has anyone else had one of those rare days where everything just clicks on the trail?

2 comments

2 Comments

oscarwright6d ago

14 miles is a solid day but calling it "perfect" because it didn't rain and you saw some views feels like setting the bar pretty low. I've done that stretch a few times and there's always some mud or bugs, you just deal with it. What made the trail so special compared to just having decent weather?

skyler_craig6d ago

Bro totally agree. Last time I did that section I was so hyped about clear skies that I didn't even mention the three giant branches I tripped on or the deer fly that kept divebombing my face for two miles. lmao. For me a perfect day on trail needs something ridiculous like seeing a bear or finding a weird rock formation not just "sun's out, bugs are manageable." I did the same stretch in July and the "decent weather" was canceled out by a muddy creek crossing that swallowed my shoe up to the ankle. You take the views, you take the mud, it's all part of the deal.