John Dempsey and I made the familiar trek up the Chadwell Gap trail. Rising 2100 ft in 3 1/2 mi, it is a steep little ascent. When I left on Friday the temperature was in the high 60s. That would change.
John had a nice fire waiting when I arrived around sunset. Wood was plentiful and the views were amazing.
Saturday morning we opted to explore Hensley settlement and the local area instead of going out to white rocks and sand cave.. I’ve spent a lot of time in this area and made many jaunts out there.
we had the entire place to ourselves.
the vastness of this plateau and the rolling hills is a curiosity. Hensley and his group lived up here for many years.. it’s easy to see why.
I found this cabin out on the ridge trail as I went exploring that area.
there are plenty there.
Saturday night the temperature dropped and the wind came in.. with a vengeance. It got down in the twenties and then the sleet started. Just drove us to our tents at an early hour as the precipitation pelted nylon.
when we woke up water bottles were frozen solid and so were we. So we made an early and hasty retreat from this mountain top abode.
I was reminded of the many many times when I was in this area with the Highlander crew. The old martins fork cabin is closed for business permanently. But I enjoyed the Hensley camp and the company of John Dempsey.
when I got back to the car the temperature was showing mid twenties. Maybe wonder how truly cold it got a couple thousand feet higher.
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