Dickey Gap, VA - northbound mile 516

This post is from May 4, 2015.   The GPS data from today's hike can be found at:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/772002370

Back on the trail after a 13 day break. Beautiful weather, fresh legs and moderate terrain led to a 25 mile first day back. I am camping close to the trail alone in a bushwhacked-tent site. I am so tired I don't really care.

The tent site looks like this:

Walked through an extensive area today (Highlands State Park) where the park service uses wild ponies to graze the former high pastures to keep them as they have been since these parts were first settled by European settlers:

This shot above is close to the summit of Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in VA (over 5700')

New trailname : TINKERBELL, a young solo female thru hiker from Portland Maine.  Our small state has an out-sized representation on the trail