One Mile Run in 3.7 miles plus AT

Yesterday, 12/11, was a fine day for hiking.  I started the day by hiking the last side trail in the South District (aside from a 0.2 mile spur trail from the AT to the entry gate in Rockfish Gap).  To hike the One Mile Run trail you need to park at the Two Mile Run overlook and walk south on Skyline Drive a short distance.

The trail is like a secret garden, little used but lovely.  The leaves were pretty deep, indicating that few hikers have pounded them down.  The trail descends from Skyline Drive gently to a gap then more steeply down to One Mile Run, which is a small but picturesque stream.

You can see there are a few select spots for a dip in summer.  As it was, the temperature was rather chilly and my feet were cold and wet from tromping through deep wet leaves.  The trail crosses the stream 12 times before it leaves for the border of the park (marked only by a concrete hiking post).  The PATC map says "no public access" so I didn't continue on the trail past the post.  I met a man dressed all in red with binoculars around his neck.  Santa on his morning constitutional?

I turned around and crossed the stream another dozen times (luckily the water was low) and returned to the car.  I really admire the trail maintainers that keep this trail so well cleared and blazed.  It's hard work for rather few hikers.

Then I moved on the fill a gap in my AT miles by driving up to the South River Picnic area just inside the Central District.  I hiked from there up to Pocosin Fire Road and back.  Aside from some pleasant views north from a rocky descent just before Pocosin Cabin, there wasn't much scenery to oogle at.  I made good time and decided to fill in the gap from South River picnic area to the Saddleback Mt. Trail.  That short stretch went quickly and I was able to get out by 4:30 (the gates now close at 5 pm). 

Total miles for day:  15.2 or which exactly half counts toward the SNAP 500.  One new trail.

379 miles finished out of 509.6 and 128 trails completed out of 170 (including AT).  Of the 41 side "trails" left to go only about half are hiking trails (the rest are fire roads, horse trails, and other roads).