Grapeyard Ridge Trail completion

~7.5 miles r/t
Hiked mid-section of Grapeyard Ridge Trail (bc #32 to Big Dudley Trail intersection) for completion of the length of GRT.
weather: mild, mostly cloudy, humid; then drizzly; then torrential rain that turned the trail into a creek. We pretty much waded the last mile back to the parking lot.
sighted: chipmunks and squirrels
hikers passed: 0
Left camera battery in charger at home so missed out on 3-4 nice photo ops. Some nice moss-lined footpaths along this stretch, with the falls leaves will be stunning.
Did not see a new EE McCarter trail sign I've seen reported

Cooper Road Trail - Cane Creek Trail to campsite#2

~8 miles r/t
weather: cool, drizzly. leaves just starting to fall.
sighted:
1 juvenile bear - entered the trail ~ 50 yards in front of us, stopped, saw us & ran
1 deer - thought we spooked it into running, then we heard a dog(s) chasing it through the brush. odd.
1 park service pickup - we passed it parked at Cane Gap trail intersection, then upon return it was parked at Goldmine Trail sign with 6 rangers standing around, must be trail recon/maintenance, didn't notice tools in truck.
hikers passed: 3