Monday – 16 September
Destination: RT. 56 Shelter Area (MM 64.9)
Start Location: LHHT Northern Terminus (MM 70.1)
Today’s Miles: 5.2
Trip Miles: 5.2
Bob and I were up early, made coffee in the room and relaxed a little before heading out for breakfast. Our first stop at a coffee shop struck out since there were no breakfast sandwiches, “only on weekends”. So it was off to Ohiopyle.
The Ohiopyle Bakery and Sandwich shop fixed us up with breakfast sandwiches and coffee. We were too early for sandwiches to carry for lunch. Bob and I decided we were carrying enough food and would be fine.
A little Ohiopyle sight seeing and over to Wilderness Outfitters to see if the shuttle would be available early. Rob, our driver took us to the visitor center to make sure our cars were registered and wouldn’t be towed. An hour and a half later we were at the northern end of the trail about noon.
Bob was in front and we saw our first porcupine in all our hiking. The porcupine waddled up the middle of the trail until it climbed a tree on the side. Got some good photos.
Weather is perfect, about 70 with a breeze. Five miles to the side trail to the shelter area. There are five little shelters with fireplaces, a men’s and ladies toilet and water. We set up our tents and split some of the provided firewood.
Something special this hike since we knew there would be firewood, we brought hot dogs cooked over the fire for dinner. Relish, mustard and ketchup packets made the dogs perfect.
It’s nice to have real firewood and a splitter at the campsite. As the sun is going down it is cooling off making the fire nice. Sundown is about 7:30 when we will crawl inside our tents. The cool night should make for perfect sleeping weather.
Today’s hike was our biggest climb of the hike. I think the rest of our climbs will be from the campsite back to the trail.
I think this update will post tonight but photos won’t work. Porcupine pics will have to wait for a better cell signal