Cool! Two hikes in one. My brother John and I were kicking off the holiday weekend with a hike in the south district. Looking for something that would be new for him had me thinking of Rocky Mount, but a 10 miler wasn't enough to justify a drive that distance, so hey, as long as we're right there, throw in Onemile Run, and the combined distance approaches 18 miles. Both hikes would be from Twomile Run Overlook a bit south (Drive-wise) of Pinefield Gap. Longtime friends Rob and Ellen were also interested in hiking, and plans fell into place to link up with them there for the Rocky Mount hike (we had a failed link-up attempt last year).
First up was Onemile Run, the trailhead a short distance south on Skyline Drive from Twomile Run Overlook. On the trail at 8:15am, we were on a schedule, planning to meet Rob and Ellen around 11:30. This hike would be an out and back to the Park boundary then back to the Drive. I did this hike in 2008, leaving the Park and continuing to dry Twomile Run, a nine mile round trip. This would be a 7.7 mile round trip. The trail descends along wooded Twomile Ridge for about a mile, then descends more steeply to Onemile Run. It was obvious from the untrampled leaves that this is a seldom used trail. If you like stream crossings, this is your trail! I'm not a big fan of stream crossings, and would otherwise not be here unless water levels were low- there are twelve crossings (plus one side stream), each way! Aside from Jeremys Run, this surely must have the most stream crossings of any trail in SNP. Water levels were low, and Onemile Run was little more than a trickle. It was pleasantly cooler here than up on the ridge. Our crossings were easy, but this must be something in high water! The trickling stream and lush vegetation gave it a most remote feel. The trail veers away from Onemile Run at its lower end, becoming a fast woods walk.
We reached the boundary close to the necessary turn around time. This meant little time to explore the scree slope just off trail near the lower crossings, which I forgot to explore last time here. We went to the edge and I scrambled up a short distance, but it would have been a long hot go to get to the top, and I doubt there would be much to see from the top of the scree slope. At one point along the lower end of Onemile Run, there are huge boulders off trail on the south side (the north slope of Rocky Mountain). I had hoped to see a bear along this trail, but none were seen, though after the steep climb back to ridge line, I'm pretty sure I heard one running off through the woods. We were back at Twomile Run Overlook at 11:15am, on schedule, Rob and Ellen having just arrived.
It's nice having a resupply mid hike! A fresh shirt, and fresh socks and boots. Changing boots goes against my saying "never mess with the moisture balance in the boot", the foot being in equilibrium with its moist environment, but did so anyway. The feet were temporarily dry, but never felt quite right the rest of the hike. Restocking food and water at the car, it was now time for hike number two- Rocky Mount and Gap Run, the trailhead a short walk north from the overlook. It was great hiking with Rob and Ellen again! Rob has been on all Western hiking trips and Ellen on many. We've logged many miles and memories over the years (decades, wow!). In recent years, Rob's knee (and sense of sanity) has kept him from doing the distances I do, and we somehow had not linked up for a hike in a very long time.
As with most hikes from Skyline Drive, the hike begins with a considerable downhill. We took Gap Run Trail at the junction, continuing the descent. Gap Run was low but flowing. There were other hikers on the trail, but they were opting to hike the loop portion the opposite direction. We preferred to keep the payoff views for later in the hike. Passing by an unlabeled concrete trail post where a former tail connects to Beldor Road on private property (used last time hiking here), we continued along Gap Run. From the debris beside the run, it was evident that Gap Run had been much higher at some point earlier this year. Somewhat further on is a second unlabeled concrete trail post, hinting of a long ago trail on Beldor Ridge. Finally, a third concrete marker indicates the north end of the Rocky Mount Trail, with the "park boundary" access along Gap Run scratched out.
We rested awhile at Gap Run before the warm Rocky Mount climb. We rested long enough to pick up a number of deer tick. Between here and the summit we'd meet the parties that were hiking the opposite direction. The climb starts along a stream, still flowing despite the recent dryness, then switchbacks to climb an arm of Rocky Mount. The trail crosses a scree slope, offering decent views of Hightop and Beldor Ridge to the northeast. The climb is steady, eventually passing a long rock ledge to the side, making one think they're near the top, but not. The climb continues another half mile and 350', cresting the top on the west side amongst pine, with views south opening up on rocky outcrops. It may be a lot of work to get here, but the views show the best of the south district, Twomile Ridge in the foreground, Cedar and Trayfoot in the background, and all the good stuff in between. We were almost too tired to enjoy the views in the open sun.
From here it was down to the saddle junction with Gap Run Trail, then a thousand foot climb back to Skyline Drive just north of Twomile Run Overlook. Two hikes from the same start point with great company. How nice is that?!
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