Friday – 20 September
Destination: Grindle Ridge Shelter Area (MM 24.0)
Start Location: Turnpike Shelter Area (MM 38.2)
Today’s Miles: 14.2
Trip Miles: 46.1
Important stuff first – photos were uploaded up to noon today. You need to go back to each day to see them. Porcupine photos!
Bob and I were awake early trying to get a good start on our longest day. Interestingly the outage water from the pump seemed to turn clear when I added a lemon flavored electrolyte. Some reaction with the iron on the water? Anyway it improved the taste.
The scruffy hiker who came into the shelter was out before us at 7:15. We started at MM (mile marker) 38. After MM 37 we crossed the Pennsylvania Turnpike on a wonderful pedestrian bridge. A little while after the bridge I came around a turn and saw a large black dog coming at us. Fortunately he was with a trail runner. Later in the day we saw two more trail runners, one with two dogs the other solo
At MM 35 Bob and I stopped for a photo at our hike halfway point. From there it was a dash to MM 29 for a lunch appointment at the Highlands Market which was off the trail. Meatball sub for me, turkey club for Bob and cold iced teas. We picked up breakfast bagel sandwiches for dinner and some cookies and pepperoni rolls for breakfast. A nice change from our hiking menu.
After MM 28 we came to Seven Springs ski area. Bob and I were tired and the hiking was uphill and out in the sun. We crossed the highest point on the LHHT at 2961 feet although Bob and I felt the market was the high point of the day!
After MM 26 there was a spigot with potable water alongside the road. We filled up with clear water, no iron. We met a couple day hiking and chatted before getting to our campsite, Grindle Ridge. Our lucky day, after all those miles, nice tent sites next to the picnic table. There are two ladies out for a three night hike in one of the shelters. They are from Rochester.
After setting up our tents it was already dinner time. Breakfast sandwiches, hang our food, get water and wash up. Probably and early evening after 14 miles.
