April 11th - 38 - Lost Mountain Shelter to Cove Mountain Shelter 500 mile mark!

As I utilize the privy, I notice someone spent quite a lot of time, and two sharpies, writing the entire Lorax on the inside walls. I leave feeling surprised, impressed, and relieved. Hiking today about 17 miles over Buzzard Rock, Mt. Rogers, and the Grayson Highlands.

The sun came out for a warm but windy lunch at Buzzards Rock. Live, Vegemite, Owl, Scrambles, Haiku, Wiffle & Tuesday are all here enjoying a break.

White blaze on Buzzard Rock

Grayson Highlands State Park is a great hike, but the loose softball sized rocks make the trail tough. I decline Mt. Roger's offer of taking the half mile side trail to the summit, instead take a longer break at the shelter for eating. The park offers wide open expanses of high country used at one time for grazing. This section in some places really reminded me of Montana, mainly how brown or tan everything is. I passed two or three groups of scouts throughout the park. Just before Cove Mountain Shelter, I cross over the 500 mile mark on my trek.

Noodles and Biscuit are the only other hikers here tonight.