AT Day 51: McAfee Knob & Tinker Cliffs

Daily Miles: 21.2, Total Miles: 724.2

I only conserved enough water for a cup of coffee this morning so needed a water source quickly. The good news was that the Catawba Grocery Store was only a short distance off trail only 2.5 miles away. Besides water, I made it worth my while. I ordered a double order of biscuits and gravy. Then ate a banana and a cherry pie washing it down with a chocolate milk.

A good start to the day gave me the energy for the next ten miles to McAfee Knob. One of the most photographed stops on the AT and it’s easy to see why. Not only some of the best unobstructed views but from an overhanging slab of rock at the summit. Very cool!

I continued hiking along the narrow ridge top on more ledges. I shortly arrived at another highlight for expansive views of Catawba Valley, Tinker Cliffs. Had a nice lunch stop watching a pair of huge turkey vultures.

A few miles later, I heard a big rustle of leaves and something big crashing steeply downhill. Looked down and saw my first black bear reel to a stop, turn around, sit down and stare up at me.

Lots of color today – the rhododendrons are in full bloom in Virginia with large pink flowers.

Two reasons for stopping a bit early today. A rain and thunderstorm brewing and I’m only six miles to Daleville VA.

New birds today include a redstart, Carolina wren, Cerulean warbler and an Acadian flycatcher.