#129 Marble Springs Camp Site to Punchbowl Shelter - Day 63: ATMM 779.6 to ATMM 997.8

My shirt is completely soaked so I pull it off and strap it to the pack to dry. The sun beats down on the exposes mountain side with me between it and steep rocky ground. There is no wind blowing.....

5/3/22

It’s a long way to the bottom of the mountain. Other than a few rocky spots that pose minor challenges, the hike is very enjoyable.

Near the base of the mountain sits Matt’s Creek Shelter, just off trail. Though I really enjoyed last night’s campground I sort of regret not pushing on to this shelter and it’s perfect setting. Had I tented or stayed in the shelter I could have enjoyed the perfect view of the small river just across trail. It’s calming pitch would have lulled me into a deep sleep.

I hike along Matt’s Creek for about a mile to near where it empties into the James River.

The trail makes a hard right then follows the river for about a mile. A footbridge in Snowden, VA, built in 2000 across the piers of a demolished train bridge, carries the A.T. across the river. This new footbridge provides a much safer route across the river than the old route, when hikers had to hike across in fast traffic.

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I reach the parking lot across the river where several hikers are climbing out of a car. The driver asks if I’d like a free ride into Glasgow, as he’s heading there anyway. I recognize him. He’s the driver for Four Pines Hostel. I spent a night there several nights ago.