Feburary 8, 2020 - Mine Gap Trail to a Point of the Massanutten Trail (0.5 miles North of Woodstock Tower)

Picture of the Day
Left to Right, Manny, David (me), Bree and Marco

    This blog chronicles the hikes I've completed in the "Lee 333 Challenge". I haven't set a challenge deadline because I can't dedicate myself 100% to it. However, if the SNAP500 (or SHEN500) can be done in one year, I don't see any reason why a dedicated enthusiast couldn't complete the "Lee 333" in under a year also. I named this challenge after my initial calculation that the total trail mileage would be about 333 miles. The total has grown as I have become more familiar with the district.

Today's Hike:
Distance: 7.94
Duration: 4:59
Ascent: 2310ft
PATC Difficulty: 191

Lee 333 Progress Summary:
Trails: 23 of 108
Trail Miles: 66.25 of 345.75 miles (279.5 miles to go)
Hiked Miles: 135.45 miles

Today's Track

My Hiking Companions, Marco, Bree and Manny 

at the intersection of the Mine Gap and Massanutten trails

     This week I the pleasure of some hiking companions. I met Manny at the Apple House, I arrived first and immediately was approached by girl scouts on the sidewalk and asked to buy cookies. I donated money but didn't take any cookies. Manny arrived a few minutes later and we went inside. He bought the legendary "Apply House" cinnamon donuts and I bought "Blueberry Butter". I'm not sure what makes it 'butter' but it sure is good. When I went back outside the girl scouts asked me again to buy cookies. I asked them if they remembered me and they replied that they had just arrived, swapping the location with another girl scout troop. I just laughed and donated to them too.

Some ice/wood pulp cicles

     Manny and I drove out to Strasburg where we met Bree and Marco at the McDonald's. From there we took two cars out to the trailhead. We intended to hike from Powell's Fort Camp on FR66, up the Massanutten Trail to Tuscarora then north until we reached FR66 again. However, the gate to FR66 was closed again near the Mine Gap trail.

     I came up with and alternative hike plan, we parked at the FR66 gate and hiked up to the ridge via Mine Gap trail and headed south on the Massanutten trail intending to go all the way to the Woodstock tower.

I'm falling behind

     We made good time up to the ridge and headed south. It was a cool day but not hot with clear skies with only occasional clouds occluding the sun. The pace was relaxed as was the conversation. It was really nice to have people with me on this trip. After about two and a half hours we took a late lunch break. As we ate, a group of mountain bikers passes us going north, it looked like hard work.

Winter View of the "Seven Bends" of the Shenandoah River

    We continued south for another half an hour until we were about a half a mile from Woodstock Tower Road. After considering the time of day and what the total trip distance would be after the return hike we decided to head back. I'll return another day to complete that last half mile by starting at Woodstock Tower Road and going north.

Easy Ridge Hiking

    The hike back was uneventful except for our aching ankles and knees on the Mine Gap down hill section. I've build up my fitness again for distance but not for downhills yet. We almost missed one of the switchbacks at the "Old Mince Gap Trail". If it were not for the deep trenches dug in the old trail we might have just kept going. The two "kids" made it back to the cars well ahead of us two "old guys". They waited for us and we caravan-ed back to Strasburg together. Another great hiking day.

I guess the ridge was a bit too rocky for the trail in this section

Manny on the return trip