4/30 Lots to see

18.8 miles today, 714.3 miles N
Comfort Inn/Troutdale

Today I hiked fast. I was mostly out of food and knew from the Shelter register that Snackbreak was only a mile ahead and I though I would try to catch up and say hi. In the end that didn't happen. The day started with a climb to McAfee Knob, a cliff with a great view to the west. At the next shelter I read that there was quite a party up there with Backbend, Snackbreak, and Dirty Blond enjoying the sunset and a bottle of wine. I wish I could have been there as the view must have been stunning. The cliff from the morning sun was still a sight to behold. It is worth a day trip with 3.5 miles of wide and easy trail from the road that has been beaten in by the locals. As soon as I passed the knob the trail became way narrower from the substantially less use. It meandered along the cliff line going down 800' before climbing back up to Tinker Cliffs. What makes Tinker Cliffs so cool is that it is like the McAffe Knob but for 1/2 mile. The trail runs right along and over the cliff overhangs causing one to be torn between enjoying the view and watching their foot step. From Dragons Tooth yesterday to the cliffs it has been some of the best hiking along the trail thus far. The days have been filled with stunning view points. I am only mad that my camera battery died. Arg! Anyhow it was gorgeous and that just means anyone reading this really needs to make the hike to see for themselves. After that it was a rolling hike along the ridge to get into town. The only issue was it kept rolling and rolling just like yesterday driving me batty. I was so close to town I could hear dogs and car doors but I still had 3 miles to go and easily 1000' feet of elevation change up and down before I started descending. Finally though the trail went downhill and that turned out to be more exciting than planned. First some background.
I went to Glacier NP last year, a Grizzly haven, where everyone but my group saw a bear. Then I went through Smokies NP and still bumpkins when it came to bears! Well while crossing train tracks .6 miles from the road I finally saw a bear on the tracks. It was a black bear adult maybe 6 feet long and 3 feet high. I guess 200-300 lbs. It was waling along the tracks maybe 50 yards away before going into the woods. I was still giddy with excitement seeing the bear and only 1 minute up the trail when I then heard the rattle of a rattler in the grass next to me. I made hast up the trail 20' before looking back. I couldn't spot the snake in the tall grass. Still that was a lot of excitement for 3 minutes. The rest of the hike into town was flat and easy and I found myself to the Comfort Inn for the night. This town has everything one needs to resupply and rest but sidewalks. All my walking thus far has been in the shoulders of the road and darting across busy traffic. I am more worried about getting hit by a truck out here than having my knee giving out on the trail.