Appalachian Trail - TN91 to Damascus, VA

Oct-12-2025 — AT, Hiking — 2 min read

Day 1 - October 12, 2025

Arrived at Damascus Library about 7:30a. It was chilly but a beautiful morning. Picked up by my shuttle driver David about 7:50a. Made it to the trailhead about 8:15a.

First mile or so is thru cow pastures on a well groomed trail. After that I entered the woods and the familiar green tunnel. Lots of blow downs but everything on the trail has been cleared. Saw a total of six overnight and six day hikers heading south. Rain across one trail maintainer that was looking for a down tree that I never saw.

Lots of wind and mostly overcast. Temps probably in the 60s. It made for excellent hiking weather.

Got to Abingdon Gap shelter about 13:45. No one is here when I got here but it early still.

One SOBO thru hiker came by in the afternoon to get water and chat. No other folks yet.

Set up my tent rather than use the shelter. Looks like it will be pretty windy and maybe quite cold so the tent gives me a more protection.

Dinner was Kung Pao Chicken by AlpineAire. Decent but seemed a bit over spicy. Not my favorite pouch dinner.

A light sprinkle started while I was eating and turned into a light rain.

In my tent by 6pm for the night.

Things to improve:

Bent tent stakes - may need to replace one or two
Water filter was a bit hard to use. I want to look into a gravity filter/CNOC bag

Day 2 - October 13, 2025

It rained overnight - glad I picked my tent.

Slept fitfully but enough.

Started getting ready about 7am. Tent fly is wet but otherwise everything is dry enough.

I was moving by 7:30a. Should be about 10 miles today back to my vehicle.

Foggy and overcast all morning. There was little to no wind so I dropped my fleece after a few miles. Probably the same temperature as yesterday but without the wind I didn't need the extra layer.

Made really good time averaging probably 25 minute miles.

Passed an overnight SOBO hiker and one SOBO day hiker. Saw no one else on the trail.

Got to the TN/VA border a few miles outside of Damascus. Three states now fully complete.

Got back to my vehicle about noon. This trip is now complete.

I will be back in town to finish the section from Massie Gap to Damascus.