A hazy hike this past Saturday, warm and humid, but not bad at elevation. 6am seems like an early departure, but the sun is already up. The risk of starting a hike miles deep into Skyline Drive is getting stuck behind slowpokes that won't turn out, which is what happened. Still, we were on the trail before 9am. The bear sighting was on the drive over, on US-211 between Washington (VA) and Sperryville. A medium to large (for this area) bear galloped safely across the four lane road.
Along on this hike were fellow hikers Steve and Dan. The starting point would be Big Meadows Wayside. The grill is open until 7pm, and we were pretty confident on getting a 19.5 miler completed in time to have a meal there. The route from Big Meadows would be "Story of the Forest" nature trail through Big Meadows to Blackrock (the "other" Blackrock), Appalachian Trail south over Hazeltop, Laurel Prong, Cat Knob, Jones Mountain, Staunton River, Fork Mountain road and trail, Laurel Prong, Mill Prong horse trail, and Rapidan Road back to Big Meadows.
It takes a bit of orienteering to get over to Blackrock from the nature trail. Blackrock is on the west side of Big Meadows, about a mile away from the Wayside. Big Meadows is big. Blackrock offered decent hazy views. Dropping down to the AT, we followed it south, passing Tanners Ridge Cemetery, Milam Gap, that cool "straightaway" on the Hazeltop ascent, and a viewpoint to the west from a short side trail just north of the top. This was followed by the rocky traverse along the Laurel Prong Trail, then the brief but steep ascent of Cat Knob. There were some tired hikers coming up from Rapidan Camp on Laurel Prong. Most sensible folk just do the AT/Laurel Prong/Mill Prong loop, but we're not sensible folk. Jones Mountain Trail followed, leading into a remote region of the Park. We saw no other hikers on Jones Mountain, and (as usual) had Bear Church Rock to ourselves for an extended break. Following Dan's lead, I ventured out further at BCR, exploring rocks which offered different views and easy scrambles. From BCR, Jones Mountain Trail drops steeply to the Staunton River Trail, passing through a mountain laurel tunnel. Unfortunately, the blossoms had long since gone by.
We watered up at the first Staunton River crossing, which was no problem with the low stream levels. I took some time exposures of a cascade there, balancing the camera on a log while trying to keep an overly friendly wet dog at bay. The golden retriever was with a group going to Jones Mountain Cabin, headed by the cabin overseer. The Staunton River Trail was in good shape, but I wore the pants legs just in case. We've found this trail overgrown with nettles at times in summer, and didn't want that experience again. The trail has seen recent work and was nettle free. A car was parked at the trailhead on Fork Mountain Road; perhaps the cabin overseer? We headed on up the road to The Sag, the saddle between Fork Mountain and Cat Knob, then down steep Fork Mountain Trail (an old road) to Laurel Prong and on to Camp Hoover for a break.
After a snack break and water resupply, it was up Mill Prong horse trail to Rapidan Road. Big Rock falls was pretty with the sun glistening on it. Shortly before the junction with the Mill Prong Trail, I heard Dan say "cat!", and was in sight range to see a bobcat running up the slope! There had been hikers coming down that saw it too. It had been on the trail, perhaps headed down to Mill Prong. That's my second bobcat sighting this year, but this was the first sighting (and odds are last) from the trail.
The warm thousand foot climb from Camp Hoover to Rapidan Road on the horse trail was followed by the pleasant walk on Rapidan Road to expansive Big Meadows. We had completed the hike in time for a much needed meal. A cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, and a blackberry shake provided a good salt and fat infusion. Those blackberry shakes are oh so good!
This was my first time hiking in permethrin treated clothes. Do I really want this chemical touching my body? I've found no ticks. Steve found one deer tick. I guess I'll put it to the test this Friday- my one (and likely only) marathon hike this year. The weather forecast looks too good to be true.
Along on this hike were fellow hikers Steve and Dan. The starting point would be Big Meadows Wayside. The grill is open until 7pm, and we were pretty confident on getting a 19.5 miler completed in time to have a meal there. The route from Big Meadows would be "Story of the Forest" nature trail through Big Meadows to Blackrock (the "other" Blackrock), Appalachian Trail south over Hazeltop, Laurel Prong, Cat Knob, Jones Mountain, Staunton River, Fork Mountain road and trail, Laurel Prong, Mill Prong horse trail, and Rapidan Road back to Big Meadows.
It takes a bit of orienteering to get over to Blackrock from the nature trail. Blackrock is on the west side of Big Meadows, about a mile away from the Wayside. Big Meadows is big. Blackrock offered decent hazy views. Dropping down to the AT, we followed it south, passing Tanners Ridge Cemetery, Milam Gap, that cool "straightaway" on the Hazeltop ascent, and a viewpoint to the west from a short side trail just north of the top. This was followed by the rocky traverse along the Laurel Prong Trail, then the brief but steep ascent of Cat Knob. There were some tired hikers coming up from Rapidan Camp on Laurel Prong. Most sensible folk just do the AT/Laurel Prong/Mill Prong loop, but we're not sensible folk. Jones Mountain Trail followed, leading into a remote region of the Park. We saw no other hikers on Jones Mountain, and (as usual) had Bear Church Rock to ourselves for an extended break. Following Dan's lead, I ventured out further at BCR, exploring rocks which offered different views and easy scrambles. From BCR, Jones Mountain Trail drops steeply to the Staunton River Trail, passing through a mountain laurel tunnel. Unfortunately, the blossoms had long since gone by.
We watered up at the first Staunton River crossing, which was no problem with the low stream levels. I took some time exposures of a cascade there, balancing the camera on a log while trying to keep an overly friendly wet dog at bay. The golden retriever was with a group going to Jones Mountain Cabin, headed by the cabin overseer. The Staunton River Trail was in good shape, but I wore the pants legs just in case. We've found this trail overgrown with nettles at times in summer, and didn't want that experience again. The trail has seen recent work and was nettle free. A car was parked at the trailhead on Fork Mountain Road; perhaps the cabin overseer? We headed on up the road to The Sag, the saddle between Fork Mountain and Cat Knob, then down steep Fork Mountain Trail (an old road) to Laurel Prong and on to Camp Hoover for a break.
After a snack break and water resupply, it was up Mill Prong horse trail to Rapidan Road. Big Rock falls was pretty with the sun glistening on it. Shortly before the junction with the Mill Prong Trail, I heard Dan say "cat!", and was in sight range to see a bobcat running up the slope! There had been hikers coming down that saw it too. It had been on the trail, perhaps headed down to Mill Prong. That's my second bobcat sighting this year, but this was the first sighting (and odds are last) from the trail.
The warm thousand foot climb from Camp Hoover to Rapidan Road on the horse trail was followed by the pleasant walk on Rapidan Road to expansive Big Meadows. We had completed the hike in time for a much needed meal. A cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, and a blackberry shake provided a good salt and fat infusion. Those blackberry shakes are oh so good!
This was my first time hiking in permethrin treated clothes. Do I really want this chemical touching my body? I've found no ticks. Steve found one deer tick. I guess I'll put it to the test this Friday- my one (and likely only) marathon hike this year. The weather forecast looks too good to be true.
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