Brink Shelter to Rutherford Shelter

Day Three
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Brink Shelter to Rutherford Shelter
14 miles

 

We arose and quickly got on our way, as we were planning to hike about three miles then have breakfast at Gyp’s Tavern or Sunrise Appalachian Trail Deli in Branchville.  They are supposed to be right on the trail.  When we got to the deli there was a sign on the door saying it was temporarily closed and recommended we go to Gyp's Tavern right down the road.  Our hiker’s companion said Gyp's opened at 9:00 a.m., and we would be just in time.  HOWEVER, when we got there, there was not a soul to be seen.  They were not opened.  We went next door to a Sport’s Shop and asked them, they said Gyp’s opened at 11:00.  We quickly surveyed the place and found the only thing they had to offer us was a soda, which we took advantage of, but that’s not breakfast.  We asked about other restaurants and they said there was one about a mile the other direction.  We asked about a local taxi service (not wanting to walk an extra two miles) and were told that the closest taxi charges $40 just to come here.  Oh well, we sat on a rock outside and ate a Clif Bar along with our soda.  What a disappointment.  But this is not the only time we will be disappointed on this trip, expecting a deli and the deli being closed. 

Gyp's Tavern

Gyp's Tavern

We filled our water bottle from their restroom and got back on the trail.

 

 

We saw a small card on a tree advertising a new hostel in the area.  I took a picture of it just in case we needed it.  It said he/she was a former thru-hiker and would pick up at High Point State Park.  We later tried to call the number to see if we could get a ride from Unionville and did not get an answer. 

As we climbed to the top of Sunrise Mountain, we suddenly found ourselves on the top looking at a pavilion.  It seemed so out of place from this side, but we found out that there was a parking lot not too far from it on the other side.  Several men loitered around the shelter, looking at the view.  I remembered reading in Jennifer Pharr Davis's book, "Becoming Odyssa" that she had come upon a hanging victim on Sunrise Mountain at a pavilion and realized that this was the very location. 

Sunrise Mountain Pavilion

View from Sunrise Mountain

 

At Mashipacong Shelter we again found water in a 5-gallon jug.  Luckily we didn’t need any.  We trudged on, planning to stay at Rutherford Shelter.  Finding that it was .4 off the trail, we set up a stealth camp instead.  In fact, we didn’t stay in a single shelter this whole trip. 

Catfish Fire Tower to Brink Shelter

Day Two
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Catfish Fire Tower to Brink Shelter
12.9 miles

It rained last night, but we stayed dry in our tarp tent with just enough room for our two sleeping mats and our gear to be covered. 

Down the hill and right before the road crossing, we came upon Rattlesnake Spring which we had been told was running – it was not – it looked stagnant.  However, at the road crossing of Road 602 we found a six-pack of water left on the picnic table by trail angels.  We topped off our water bottles and proceeded.  Just a few steps further on the trail, we saw a five-gallon bottle of water.  With a number of south-bound thru-hikers in the area, this would prove to be helpful.  Thank you trail angels! 

It was steep going up to a power line and with the rain last night, Wait-up slipped on a wet rock and landed on his left hand and bent his finger back.  It was, luckily, not broken. 

We saw a huge porcupine going down the trail in front of us, and I tried my best to get a picture of it but failed to do so.  I sure didn’t want to get too close to it.  Finally he waddled off into the woods.

The views today were unfortunately shrouded by fog.

It was a hard day today, both mentally and physically.  With every step I took, something hurt.  Either my toes jamming against the front of my shoes, the bottoms of my feet with my usual pain at the base of my toes, new blisters on the side of my heels, my shoulders from the heavy backpack packed with 4 days of food and 2 liters of water.  I was beginning to think, “what am I doing here.”  Then I decided that I had a choice – I could moan and groan or make the best of the situation and enjoy it.  The joy of the Lord is my strength!

We passed three different southbound thru-hikers.  They are easily identifiable by now.  They just have that look about them, plus their backbacks and beards give them away.

We went about a mile past Brink Shelter before stopping for the night.  Very tired!