tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26547200284558340232024-03-13T10:00:21.630-07:00Peaks & PathsHiking, Peakbagging & Exploring in the Southern Appalachians - and Beyondcrshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-46960944786640390872014-08-19T08:18:00.000-07:002014-12-06T13:21:40.613-08:00Exploring Wild Basin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">After a warmup day on Hallet Peak, it was time to start acclimatizing to the altitude and begin exploring in earnest. Our plan for doing this kicked off with a three day backpacking trip into the Wild Basin area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Even though Longs Peak was the main objective, and promised to be the biggest prize of the entire trip if we proved successful in the attempt four days hence, I think I was looking at this three day outing as the highlight of the trip, with a chance to bag four or five nice peaks in a less visited area of the park. Unfortunately, things didn't work out according to plan - but it was still a great three days in one of the lesser traveled but nevertheless spectacular areas of the park - and probably the best backpacking trip I have had the pleasure of doing in Colorado.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Ready to start a three day hike into the backcountr</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">y of Wild Basin. Photo by Bill Walker</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Destinatio</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">ns! Photo by Steph Petri</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">We arrived at the trailhead too late to really give climbing Mount Copeland any serious consideration, but after shouldering our packs, we headed up North St. Vrain Creek on the Thunder Lake Trail. It was easy hiking the first few miles to the North St. Vrain campsite, and we stopped briefly at the two low waterfalls of Lower and Upper Copeland Falls. Upon reaching our campsite, already late morning, we ditched all of our overnight gear and extra food (in bear canisters), then headed up the Bluebird Lake Trail. It didn't take long at all until the trail climbed up onto a low, minor ridge that was surprisingly open even though still well below the treeline, apparently part of an old burn area. Along the way, there were awesome views of Mount Meeker and the forbidding looking Homestretch of Longs Peak, as well as an inspiring view of Tanima Peak and Mount Alice. As we became more walled in by the surrounding mountains closer to Ouzel Lake, the scenery was dominated by Mount Copeland, Ouzel Peak, and Mahana Peak. Gaining elevation, it became increasingly subalpine and we walked through some very nice wildflower areas. Among others, there were lots of beautiful yellow snow lilies and "little pink elephants". We also began to see lingering snow patches close to us, and at one point, there was even a really neat looking snow bridge across Ouzel Creek, and we couldn't resist the urge to get a closer look. I didn't think it looked safe to get on, and certainly not to get under, but it presented a tempting photo opportunity as it was in a steep, narrow gorge with the creek cascading out from under it, while above it were massive rock walls and deep blue sky with fluffy white clouds - a classic mountain scene if ever there was one. There was a bit of excitement while here, something that certainly reinforced how unsafe these things can be. While Steph and I were standing beside it on its downhill side, a chunk of snow the size of a Volkswagon broke off of its upper side and crashed into the creek with quite a rumble, one that made us quickly back away as soon as it started to happen. No harm done, but it is something I will always keep in mind in the future. Dave was lucky enough to get part of it on video!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great view of the Homestretch on Longs Peak (left) and Mount Meeker (right). Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tanima Peak and Mount Alice from the Bluebird Lake Trail.</td></tr>
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Above here the trail steepened as it began to leave the trees behind and climb up into the cirque containing Bluebird Lake, whose steeply cascading outlet was in sight, providing more visual and auditory stimulation. Just below the lake, the trail went into a steep, narrow gully still filled with snow, and I'm pretty sure it was the first time that either Bill or Steph had walked on snow in August.</div>
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The lake itself was an ice cold emerald beauty nestled in below the rugged slopes of Ouzel Peak and Mahana Peak. There were a couple other guys here swimming, but we did not indulge. Not only was the water little more than snowmelt, there was a brisk chilly wind blowing as well. Just the thought of getting in was enough to shock my system. Had it been earlier in the day, we could have tried to climb into an even higher basin between us and the Continental Divide where there is yet another lake, slightly smaller and with the name of Pipit. Once there, it is also a relatively straightforward climb to the summits of Mahana and Isolation Peaks, but those simply weren't in the cards for this day, as it was well after noon and there were dark clouds building. In fact, it was threatening enough that we didn't linger but a few minutes before turning back for the safety of the trees nearly three miles away and 1,400 feet lower.</div>
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We then had the luxury of a few relaxing hours in camp before turning in early for a big next day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">"Little pink elephants" is one of the names for these pretty wildflower</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">s.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">A neat snow bridge, part of which collapsed while we were beside it. It made quite a rumble!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A snow ramp up a still buried section of the trail near Bluebird Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Bluebird Lake and Ouzel Peak. Photo by Bill Walker</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">The next morning we were on the trail at 3:30 a.m., making an alpine start to the day I had been looking forward to at least as much as Longs Peak, that being an attempt to climb Mount Alice and Tanima Peak. It's kind of hard to explain this, because Longs is considerably higher, more famous, and has been a goal of mine for far longer. Perhaps that is because in some ways Longs seems more daunting, despite the fact it has a marked and well established route that is attempted by roughly 15,000 people every year and has a 50% success rate. Maybe it is also partly because of those crowds, which I don't like. Mount Alice, on the other hand, is technically no more difficult and maybe even a little less so, but is unmarked and far, far less visited. In fact, we would see no else even trying today. Being lower, it also seems somewhat less committing, but it also has more of an element of the unknown about it (especially the descent from Boulder-Grand Pass) - both these things also having a certain amount of appeal. Perhaps it is also partly that it has a more unusual form, arguably looking a little more exotic. There was also the appeal of it being a traverse of two peaks and a loop, rather than an up and back of one peak. Regardless of the reasons, it was something I was excited about trying. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">On the trail at 3:30 a.m. on Day 2, to move camp up to Thunder Lake, then attempt Mount Alice. It would prove to be not early enough. Photo by Steph Petri</span></td></tr>
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</span></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">Because of not being able to get the campsite we had wanted the first night, we were forced to get up at 3:00 to get ready and actually break camp so we could stay at Thunder Lake after our climb. This required hiking three miles and 1,200 feet higher in the dark, which seems a pretty modest undertaking based on previous experiences, but it still took us until after dawn to get there. This little fact had already given me doubts about the day, but I tried my best to suppress them from myself. Since the campsites at Thunder Lake were currently in use and we weren't entitled to one until later in the day, we found an out of the way spot and once again hid all of our overnight gear and extra food to retrieve later. Then we continued on our way with lighter packs for the actual climb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">The first act was to actually backtrack a short distance, then bushwhack from the Thunder Lake Trail to the Lion Lake Trail, which had the benefit of saving us an unnecessary descent of 600 feet and over two miles of hiking in order to stay entirely on trails to the start of the actual climb. The forest was relatively open, so the bushwhack itself was uneventful and a smart move. Once back on the trail, we found a good view of the descent route from Boulder-Grand Pass. This was something that I had nagging doubts about the difficulty of, because if it proved too hard for us, we would have little choice but to backtrack over Mount Alice again. I was relieved to see that though it looked "interesting", it also looked to be reasonable with some care via a steep and narrow gully incised into the headwall of the cirque above Lake Of Many Winds. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Boulder-Gr</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">and Pass is the low spot between Tanima and Alice, and was intended to be our descent route after climbing both peaks.</span></span></td></tr>
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The next highlight was at Lion Lake Number One, where there was a perfect reflection of the pointy summit of Mount Alice looming some 2,200 feet above its dead calm sapphire waters. It was such a perfect scene that I thought Steph should see it in its entirety at first sight, rather than appear gradually as it had for Dave, Bill, and myself as we approached the shore. Steph had been a little behind us when we got here, so I stopped her short of the lake and asked her to close her eyes and let me lead her to the water's edge before opening her eyes. I think it was a scene she will long remember. There were also great views of Tanima Peak as well as Mahana Peak and Chiefs Head from here.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #999999;">Mount Alice and Lion Lake Number One.</span></span></td></tr>
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The maintained trail ended here and we continued up a climber's path towards Trio Falls and higher into the basin which contains Lion Lake Number Two and Snowbank Lake. We had to climb a small, steep snowbank to get above Trio Falls and to the next lake, where we took another snack and water break before working our way onto the long tundra ridge that leads to the Continental Divide in the pass between Mount Alice and Chiefs Head Peak. Despite how good it had already been, this is where the scenery began to get really dramatic. From the lower end of this ridge is perhaps the best view of the massive cliff face on Mount Alice known as the "Mini-Diamond", a reference to the even bigger and world famous face of The Diamond on Longs Peak. There is an equally dramatic view of Hourglass Ridge, which is the rugged ramp that the route to the top of Mount Alice follows. This sloping, cliffbound ridge looks even more daunting as one climbs higher and closer to it, so much so that Bill at one point asked me, with some concern in his voice, if I really thought we could climb it. Looking at it carefully though, I thought, as is often the case with things like this out West, it wasn't as difficult as it appeared at a quick glance. This was a point of view that Dave agreed with me on, but we would ultimately have other concerns by the time we reached the Continental Divide and the start of Hourglass Ridge.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our route was to follow the center ridge to the pass, then continue up the right skyline of Mount Alice (left). Chiefs Head Peak is on the right. Photo by Bill Walker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Alice looking a bit more formidable, but doable. It doesn't show in this photo, but there were a number of ominous looking clouds building around us at this point. Ultimately, we decided the risk of getting caught in a thunderstorm was too high and we turned around - a difficult but smart decision. It ended up not storming after all, but taking chances with afternoon thunderstorms above treeline during the Colorado Summer is like playing Russian Roulette - you only get to be wrong one time. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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We had been unable to see much of the sky to the west of us until we reached the divide, but even though it was still a little before 11 a.m., there was a mass of very dark, threatening clouds moving toward us. Climbing Alice would mean gaining another 900 feet and probably take another hour. I wanted to continue so badly it hurt. The top was within grasp and despite several truly awesome trips to the Northeast mountains in recent years, I had not been anywhere this dramatic since 2007. I think Dave felt the same way as me, but being so new to the West and having no prior experiences to base what to expect from the remaining climb and the questionable weather, both Bill and Steph were very apprehensive about going any farther. The truth is that this was unquestionably the right and smart response, and I knew it. Being above treeline and on the peaks during Rocky Mountain thunderstorms is like playing Russian roulette - one lightning strike is all takes to never climb another mountain. In fact, two people had been killed by lightning in separate events and several others injured in different parts of the park a week or two before we arrived. We decided to turn back rather than risk it. But before doing so, I did get close enough to the start of Hourglass Ridge to truly determine that it was not as difficult as it appeared. In fact, it actually looked very straightforward - a fact that I committed to memory with a plan already taking form in my head.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sky that ultimately made us decide to abort our climb. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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This certainly didn't mean our climb had been without great reward. We were now standing in a very dramatic place with wild scenery all around us. The closest and most obvious was the ragged ridgeline up Alice and the adjoining cliff faces on both sides of it, but there were also awesome views of Chiefs Head Peak and Mount Meeker, the park's second and third highest peaks, as well as dramatic McHenrys Peak and its distinctive notch. Then there were the more distant peaks of the rugged Never Summer Range, the veritable canyon of North Inlet right below us, and the whole of our route here from camp. It was fully worth it just to get to this magnificent prospect in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McHenrys Peak from the Continental Divide below Mount Alice.</td></tr>
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Having made our decision though, there was nothing left to do but start making our way back to the relative safety of the trees as we were still far from safe here if it started storming. Of course, as luck would have it, it never did storm...</div>
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Back at camp, and with some pent up energy and enthusiasm remaining, I decided I was going to walk down to Thunder Lake and then explore up into the basin leading to Boulder-Grand Pass, which would have been our descent route. Dave and Steph also decided to tag along at least as far as the lake, where Steph couldn't resist the temptation to go swimming. That was a rather entertaining and short-lived activity as she lasted about five seconds in the icy cold water! I continued on from here and was pleasantly surprised to find a good climber's path continuing on. I had only the vaguest notion that I would reach Lake Of Many Winds, much less Tanima Peak or even just the pass. Ultimately, I ended up climbing about 500 feet higher before the weather started threatening again, but I now knew that there was an easy route down from high in the basin if I could just get down from the pass. I think you know where I am going with this, but even I wasn't certain yet and I eventually headed back to camp for the evening.</div>
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After dinner, I decided, with the blessings of the others, that if I woke up early enough and felt good about it that I would make another attempt on Mount Alice and Tanima Peak the next day. Knowing that after hiking out to the trailhead afterwards, we were going to be hiking in to another campsite to position ourselves for the climb of Longs Peak the following day and would be getting up at 2 a.m. for that, Bill and Steph decided that they were going to sit it out and relax at camp. Dave had more of a struggle deciding, and he was sorely tempted to join me, but ultimately he too decided to forego the climb.</div>
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When I woke up at 2:30, I decided that, yes, I wanted to try this again. While some people climb Alice and Tanima in a day from the trailhead, I was now glad to have the previous day under my belt as a reconnaissance trip for a solo climb. I had much more information to go on and very little apprehension, other than still just a little about the descent from Boulder-Grand Pass. I was on the trail alone at 3 a.m. and moving reasonably quick. Having a gps track from the previous day made the bushwhack in the dark a pretty simple matter, as it did for the slightly tricky section from Lion Lake Number One to gaining the crest of the ridge above Lion Lake Number Two. At 6 a.m., with dawn just starting to break, I found myself standing where we had turned around yesterday. I watched the sunrise over Mount Meeker as I started up Hourglass Ridge, and true to my assessment, it was steep but very straightforward and not at all scary or technically difficult. In fact, I would say it was mostly Class 2, with only a few spots perhaps being the next class higher. It was certainly well within my comfort levels, even alone. In fact, I made it up the summit cone to the top in 30 minutes, not the hour we had estimated it would take yesterday.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I left camp alone at 3 a.m. on Day Three, and made it to our previous day's turnaround point in time to see the sunrise over Mount Meeker before continuing up Mount Alice.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at our previous day's turnaround point at the notch at the base of Mount Alice's summit cone.</td></tr>
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On top I was at 13,310' above sea level, and very happy to be the highest I had been since standing atop the Grand Teton in 2006. It was a tremendous feeling! While this terrain is no Canadian Rockies or North Cascades, it is still undeniably sublime with its enchanting mixture of broad slopes and ridges of high tundra culminating in sheer cliffs, cirques, narrow, ragged ridges, and distinctive peaks. The views were terrific! Longs and Meeker dominated to the northeast, but were by no means the only show. Stretching north and south were the nearly countless other peaks of the Front Range while many of Colorado's other ranges marched off to the horizon to the northwest, west, and southwest. The oceanic vastness of the Great Plains lay spread out to the east as far as the eye could see. Closer at hand, still in early morning shadow and 2,700 feet below, was Thunder Lake and camp. Presumably the rest of my group were still in their sleeping bags or perhaps just beginning to stir for the day.</div>
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There was an icy wind on the summit, and it looked and felt as if it might snow at any minute, or rain - which would be even worse at just above freezing high on the Continental Divide. But at least the sky didn't seem to have any thunderheads in it. Nevertheless, as I started working my way down first the boulders on the south side of the summit, then the gentler tundra slopes leading to Boulder-Grand Pass, I decided that I was going to skip the easy climb of Tanima Peak. One reason was because of concern over what the weather might do. Another was because I didn't want to keep the others waiting an extra hour for me. I simply decided I was content with the bigger prize of Alice for the day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Tanima Peak, the low, rounded ridgeline just above the center of the photo. It would have been an easy climb from Boulder-Grand Pass, but it was only about 35 degrees and very windy when I got there, and it looked and felt like it might rain or snow at any minute, so I ultimately decided to descend and be content with Mount Alice alone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longs Peak, Mount Meeker, North Ridge, and Thunder Lake.</td></tr>
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Nearing the pass, it was time to find out just how hard it was going to be to escape it. The obvious route on the topo or at a quick glance is to simply drop down the headwall of the cirque beneath the pass, but in person there is a snowfield there that is far too steep for the average person like me to safely descend without crampons and an ice axe. However, just to the north of here is a narrow gully that doesn't show up on the map. And seeing it from a distance in person, it still doesn't look particularly inviting. However, it is snow free in late Summer and actually creates a break in the angle of the headwall. While this gully is still very steep and also very loose, with caution it is relatively easy as there are just enough solid hand and foot holds to get down it safely if you look for them. I had no trouble getting down to Lake of Many Winds, which it turns out is well named. Buffeting gusts of wind seemed to be swirling around and hitting it from every side. I climbed up on a little nondescript knoll by the outlet of this tiny alpine lake and had a few snacks while gawking at the scenery, including the daunting Homestretch of Longs Peak and looking at what I had just descended. It didn't look too bad from here, and was clearly the best and safest way down. After another steep half mile I was back on ground I had stood on yesterday and had easy going back to camp. The rest of the gang was just starting to break camp and it didn't take me long to start doing the same, still ecstatic about how the first half of my day had gone.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view down the descent gully. Aptly named Lake of Many Winds is visible below.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longs Peak and Mount Meeker one more time.</td></tr>
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Now we had a six mile downhill hike back to the trailhead, the first half of which we had climbed in the dark the previous morning. As a result, we got to more fully experience a viewpoint we had walked past when all we could see were stars and silhouettes of mountains. But the hiking for the day was not yet over. We piled into the car with our exploding gear as best we could, then drove a few miles up the road toward Wind River Pass and the turnoff for the Longs Peak trailhead, parking at an elevation of 9,400'. It was early afternoon now, and we spent probably a solid hour in the parking lot repacking, reorganizing, and restocking our gear and supplies for the climb of Longs Peak which towered very nearly 5,000 more feet above us. Our only remaining goal today was to hike another 1 1/4 miles up the trail to the Goblins Forest campsite and get 700 feet of that climb behind us. By the time we started up the trail, it had started raining, but luck was on our side and it only lasted a few minutes. I hadn't even bothered to put on rain gear before it quit, though I was on the verge of doing so. We spent a few relaxing hours in camp, then turned in early knowing that the biggest highlight and challenge of the trip lay ahead of us the next day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The profile of our three days in Wild Basin, separately and combined.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A topo map of our three day hike in Wild Basin. Red is Day 1, purple is Day 2, and green is Day 3. <span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14.5600004196167px;">To see the topo map larger on this site, click on the map. Or click </span><span style="color: #8700d1; font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: #999999; line-height: 14.5600004196167px;"><a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=434H" target="_blank">here</a></span></span><span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14.5600004196167px;"> to see a larger interactive version on CalTopo where you may also print the map, generate a pdf, create a kmz map for use in Google Earth or as a custom map for some Garmin gps units. Additionally, you may download gpx and kml files from the site. </span><b style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.5600004196167px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">No sign in is required to do any of this.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 14.5600004196167px;">Hike stats: </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">35.6 miles and 9,170' total for three days in Wild Basin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">More pics <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WildBasinColorado2014?noredirect=1" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/+RickeyShortt/albums/6054247677321967761?banner=pwa" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Trailhead coordinates for Wild Basin<span style="background-color: #999999;">: </span></span><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.0029983520508px;">40.2079, -105.5664</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.0029983520508px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@40.2078477,-105.5665398,17z" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a></span></div>
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<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com1Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA40.2155868104582 -105.6246185302734440.1670853104582 -105.70529953027344 40.2640883104582 -105.54393753027344tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-60823601009744896432014-08-16T13:30:00.000-07:002014-11-17T08:23:39.927-08:00Hallett Peak - A Great First Day In Colorado<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2lGxilssbQ/VAI9EssOR_I/AAAAAAABTg4/A4OImX_d-iI/s1600/IMGP0034bHallettPeak_Bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2lGxilssbQ/VAI9EssOR_I/AAAAAAABTg4/A4OImX_d-iI/s1600/IMGP0034bHallettPeak_Bill.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">Time for the fun to really begin! We hit the road from Denver at 5 a.m. and made it to Estes Park shortly before 7 a.m. with some awesome views of Longs Peak enroute. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and then drove up to the Bear Lake trailhead for a hike in one of Rocky Mountain National Park's iconic areas. Our goal was to climb Hallet Peak by way of Flattop Mountain. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YYSMZF691U/VAI832iVN-I/AAAAAAABTok/6pLhdhxm6aw/s1600/IMGP0032StephReadyToClimbHallett.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0YYSMZF691U/VAI832iVN-I/AAAAAAABTok/6pLhdhxm6aw/s1600/IMGP0032StephReadyToClimbHallett.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie ready to climb Hallett Peak.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">This was a trail hike all the way up to the top of the broad, aptly named summit of 12,324' Flattop, reaching treeline after only a couple miles and giving us nonstop great views in every direction except west. Hallett loomed impressively above us, as did the awesome massif of 14,259' Longs Peak, while the depths of Tyndall Gorge was below us. Actually, it was a shoulder of Hallet that loomed above us. The well known scene of the blocky cliffbound peak above Bear Lake is not the summit, nor is the summit visible from there. One must get a good way up the trail to Flattop to see the true apex. Needless to say, Stephanie and Bill were impressed (this was also Bill's first time out West). I was feeling strong after having ran stadium stairs all Summer in anticipation of this trip, but stuck with the group until we were a good ways above the treeline. At some point though, I started pulling ahead and just kept going to the summit of Flattop, a rather nondescript point on a broad summit excepting the fact it was on the edge of Tyndall Gorge, above treeline, and surrounded by magnificence. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1UHKswE4ks/VAI-soy_tuI/AAAAAAABTps/jsczr_dcGqQ/s1600/IMGP0044aMeAndHallettLongs_Steph.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h1UHKswE4ks/VAI-soy_tuI/AAAAAAABTps/jsczr_dcGqQ/s1600/IMGP0044aMeAndHallettLongs_Steph.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Flattop Mountain, gazing towards Longs Peak. Photo by Steph Petri</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZkuEZPdPtI/VAI_CUbTmfI/AAAAAAABTi4/l-ikAIJyEwQ/s1600/IMGP0047bTyndallGorge_Bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZkuEZPdPtI/VAI_CUbTmfI/AAAAAAABTi4/l-ikAIJyEwQ/s1600/IMGP0047bTyndallGorge_Bill.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyndall Gorge. The road's end trailhead parking lot is plainly visible below and right of center, about 3,000 feet below our position in the col between Flattop and Hallett Peak. Photo by Bill Walker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMEnXKSzU9E/VAI_VdSwzOI/AAAAAAABTqI/9o1GEMm_wxg/s1600/IMGP0052bClimbingHallett_Bill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GMEnXKSzU9E/VAI_VdSwzOI/AAAAAAABTqI/9o1GEMm_wxg/s1600/IMGP0052bClimbingHallett_Bill.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final ascent of Hallett Peak. Photo by Bill Walker</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">After a short break on Flattop, we continued the remaining 500' up the much more impressive looking Hallett to its 12,713 summit. It didn't take me long to decide this is probably the most impressive thing I have ever done in Colorado. And the feeling of finally being back in the awesomeness of the Western landscape was almost overwhelming. Hallet may not be exceptional by Western standards, but even in the Northeast that I so dearly love, it would likely claim the status of "most spectacular", beating even Katahdin. That kind of makes me sad, but it's the truth. The summit is not a spire by any means, but it is small and distinctive enough - and steep and cliffy enough - to be inspiring. And it is surrounded by a mixture of deep, cliff-bound cirques and small glaciers, and other dramatic peaks to the east, north, and south as well as large expanses of rolling alpine tundra on the western side of the Continental Divide. Farther east, beyond the foothills of the Front Range are the Great Plains stretching to the horizon and far beyond. Farther west and south are more rugged ranges of the Rockies, including the dramatic Never Summer Range and the Gore Range. Then, lording above all else in the area, is the dramatic truncated cone of 14,259 foot Longs Peak.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arjGbM6ZG_A/VAJCEV-nR-I/AAAAAAABTmA/GNZWaxSSzgA/s1600/IMGP0075aLongsPeak_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arjGbM6ZG_A/VAJCEV-nR-I/AAAAAAABTmA/GNZWaxSSzgA/s1600/IMGP0075aLongsPeak_Dave.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer view of Longs Peak looking rather forbidding. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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We were in no big hurry to leave this wonderful eyrie, and probably spent at least an hour on top eating, gawking, and talking excitedly about our surroundings and the coming days. This had been an excellent goal for our first day in the mountains, but eventually there was nothing left to do but descend back to the lowlands and prepare for the next adventure.</span></span></div>
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Dave's video of our day on Hallett Peak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHEnE8C4-Yg/VAJDFzp90FI/AAAAAAABTnE/TG3Pif69Ym8/s1600/IMGP0081Hallett%2Bprofile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wHEnE8C4-Yg/VAJDFzp90FI/AAAAAAABTnE/TG3Pif69Ym8/s1600/IMGP0081Hallett%2Bprofile.png" height="120" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation profile for the climb of Hallett Peak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9TdQAuFBIw/VAJDdhv7MHI/AAAAAAABTng/z--7gV7HqDQ/s1600/IMGP0082Hallett%2Btopo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9TdQAuFBIw/VAJDdhv7MHI/AAAAAAABTng/z--7gV7HqDQ/s1600/IMGP0082Hallett%2Btopo.png" height="338" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see the topo map larger on this site, click on the map. Or click <a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=5B4C" target="_blank">here</a> to see a larger interactive version on CalTopo where you may also print the map, generate a pdf, create a kmz map for use in Google Earth or as a custom map for some Garmin gps units. Additionally, you may download gpx and kml files from the site. <b>No sign in is required to do any of this.</b><br />
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Hike stats: 9.7 miles, 3,278' cumulative elevation gain<br />
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More pics <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HallettPeakColorado2014?noredirect=1" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/+RickeyShortt/albums/6053467769433347713?banner=pwa" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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Trailhead coordinates for Hallett Peak:<span style="background-color: #999999;"> <span style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">40.311791, -105.644336</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bear+Lake+Trailhead/@40.3119299,-105.6427267,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x5045e02d2e61a31b" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Google Map for trailhead</span></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Created with Chrome OS and various webapps</span></div>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA40.31166879301751 -105.6448745727539140.308641793017507 -105.64991707275391 40.314695793017513 -105.6398320727539tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-91277950843146226852014-08-15T10:36:00.000-07:002014-09-13T16:42:28.216-07:00A Prelude To Colorado 2014<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tav0bIGPoLE/VADNF2gOaDI/AAAAAAABTdo/tOPvw730ABA/s1600/IMGP0009SummitingSunflower_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tav0bIGPoLE/VADNF2gOaDI/AAAAAAABTdo/tOPvw730ABA/s1600/IMGP0009SummitingSunflower_Dave.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triumphant atop mighty Mount Sunflower after an arduous and daunting climb. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7132-9736-9220-59b59059536d"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can't believe it has been eight years since I last went out West, but that trip - to Idaho - was way back in 2008. Way too long, especially considering that several years in the past twenty I have made as many as three trips out in a single year. That's obsession! The last few years I have concentrated on trips to the Northeast, another region I dearly love and am far from being done with, but going West again was long overdue and I found myself justifiably and expectedly excited! Now, after committing to my buddy <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> late last year to going to Colorado this year, and hoping that nothing would come up to prevent it, the day had finally arrived!</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7132-9736-9220-59b59059536d"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Planning was uncharacteristically lackadaisical early on, beyond making an attempt to climb 14,259' Longs Peak the primary goal and desire of the trip. Excepting myself and Dave being in, the other details were fuzzy at best but had the number of people potentially interested running as high as eight or nine people. It was more or less a given that we would drive out though, and that the bulk of the trip would be spent in Rocky Mountain National Park, and perhaps the adjacent Indian Peaks Wilderness. Eventually the group solidified at four, with <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/108061690603090309396" target="_blank">+Stephanie Petri</a> and Bill Walker claiming spots, while others either never committed in the first place or had to back out. I found it kind of exciting that this would be the first time that either Steph or Bill had ever been out West, and knowing how it has affected me, I couldn't wait to see their reactions to all the awesomeness I knew we were going to experience.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7132-9736-9220-59b59059536d"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With only a couple of months left to go, the real planning finally kicked in and we started ironing out details, creating an itinerary complete with alternatives and some openess, and making any necessary arrangements and reservations. We ultimately settled on spending the bulk of our time in Rocky Mountain National Park, where we would do a couple of dayhikes, a three day backpacking trip, and a climb of Longs Peak. And we couldn't go all the way to Colorado without Steph and Bill having an opportunity to bag the state highpoint, so we allowed for a couple days around Leadville for that, and possibly for La Plata Peak as well.</span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With only a few weeks to go, it seemed that Bill would not be able to get quite enough days off work to allow for the drive, but he decided he could fly to Denver and we could pick him up after our two day drive, and drop him off again at the end of the trip, thereby allowing him to leave after work on a Friday and fly back home the following Sunday while the remaining three of us would leave on a Thursday and return home two Mondays later. This wasn't necessarily ideal for Bill, as he was actually wanting to join in the cross country drive, but at least he could still do the important stuff, and it would make the drive out for the remaining three of us much less cramped in the car. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jH6OScyhfYo/VADNFx-LmbI/AAAAAAABTbc/0m0ddoaRsXc/s1600/IMGP0001ComingToKidnap_Steph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jH6OScyhfYo/VADNFx-LmbI/AAAAAAABTbc/0m0ddoaRsXc/s1600/IMGP0001ComingToKidnap_Steph.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Facebook post said: "We're coming to kidnap you and make a run for Colorado Rick!". Photo by Steph Petri</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7140-aa72-f676-359d0620359e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last few days really dragged by but the excitement levels increased, then Dave and Steph, whose journey had already started a couple hours earlier, pulled into the driveway and it was finally time to go! I loaded my slightly excessive amount of gear into the car, kissed Leanne goodbye, and we hit the road. "Suffer-fest 2014" was underway! Well, actually the itinerary seemed a bit less ambitious than my usual "vacations", but we were going to be dealing with significantly higher elevations than usual - a fact that would compensate for the lower average daily miles and elevation gains compared to the trips I usually plan to the Northeastern mountains.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7145-734c-f608-7a02940d5bf0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Things were uneventful the first half of our non-stop drive, but excitement levels increased as we knocked off the Eastern states one by one. Virginia went fast and West Virginia only took a couple more hours. Then we slowly passed through Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois before reaching the psychological point of crossing the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers at the so-called "Gateway To The West" of St. Louis, Missouri and its iconic arch around the not too bad hour of 10 p.m. Beyond here it was all new ground to Steph, and we rolled into Kansas about four hours later.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As it turned out, our timing didn't allow Steph to really witness the gradual progression from the forested East to the treeless Great Plains. Excepting the always present small islands of them, we had already left the trees behind us when dawn began to break. Now we were but small specks in the oceanic vastness of the open prairie, mostly about as flat as you can imagine, but still with occasional rolling terrain in the form of low and very broad "hills" if you want to call them that. It is actually a pretty neat experience, especially the first time. If you have lived your whole life in the forested East and the Appalachians, it is hard to imagine just how flat, open, and expansive the Plains can be until you experience it in person. And though it mostly lacks the rugged landscapes we were heading for, the farther one moves into this region the more they begin to feel like they are in "The West". We had dropped down to an elevation over 14,000 feet lower than the hoped for high point of our trip on Mount Elbert when we crossed the mighty Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, but through the night we had imperceptibly climbed back up to 3,000' when we stopped for breakfast in Oakley, Kansas.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vq56mpqvvI/VADNF6laBZI/AAAAAAABTeI/o6YOHA8AAHE/s1600/IMGP00004Searching_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vq56mpqvvI/VADNF6laBZI/AAAAAAABTeI/o6YOHA8AAHE/s1600/IMGP00004Searching_Dave.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Searching for the Kansas state highpoint. Photo by Dave Socky</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkFCRwZP7sI/VADNF0x_peI/AAAAAAABTZo/8xPMRK63ISs/s1600/IMGP0006SunflowerApproach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EkFCRwZP7sI/VADNF0x_peI/AAAAAAABTZo/8xPMRK63ISs/s1600/IMGP0006SunflowerApproach.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe it's on top of that hill...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkqqR7QSC30/VADNFyLNL0I/AAAAAAABTd4/VR7sTpFFlzQ/s1600/IMGP0007ToSunflower_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkqqR7QSC30/VADNFyLNL0I/AAAAAAABTd4/VR7sTpFFlzQ/s1600/IMGP0007ToSunflower_Dave.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's that way!</td></tr>
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Conquering mighty Mount Sunflower (or getting conquered by it?). Video by Dave Socky<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XPgwWfNEmc/VADNF-GbK5I/AAAAAAABTZo/5KUy2FLjdXM/s1600/IMGP0012MtSunflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6XPgwWfNEmc/VADNF-GbK5I/AAAAAAABTZo/5KUy2FLjdXM/s1600/IMGP0012MtSunflower.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-7154-50f5-ca89-d6b983e3917c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were now only a couple hours away from the first objective of the trip, the Kansas state highpoint of Mount Sunflower. The drive there gained us yet another thousand feet of elevation - and put us within a couple thousand feet of horizontal distance from the Colorado state line, where the landscape continues on just as flat as Kansas. Dave had been here once before, only a year ago, but it was a new state for the completion list for Steph and myself, and my first new one in several years which just bumped me past the halfway point with 26. While indeed very flat, this 4,039 foot high "summit" is indeed the top of a hill, complete with two closed 20' contour lines surrounding it on the topo map. There is a neat summit marker and, despite our joking around, I actually found it to be a surprisingly pleasant spot with views for miles around and a feeling of being somewhat remote thanks to its distance from the interstate and the relative scarcity of people and houses anywhere nearby. Happy with our prize, we headed into Colorado.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took a couple more hours, but finally, near the town of Limon, the snow-patched heights of the Rocky Mountains began to show on the horizon, almost like apparitions at first, then slowly becoming more real. This is always an exciting moment after a cross-country drive through the plains, but was especially so for Steph since it was her first visit. I remember well how emotional I felt the first time I saw 14,110' Pikes Peak looming up some 80 miles away with snow still on its upper reaches in late August of 1994, and it seemed equally so for her. In fact, she was almost giddy with an excitement that only continued to build as we gradually drew closer to the landscape of enchantment. It was really fun to witness this, and I knew she was going to have a great time. I knew I was too, and I was fully expecting this to be my best trip ever to Colorado.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a622ee7-715c-50b7-accf-22e21b15d14b"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Later this night, after making a run into the Denver REI, gawking at Longs Peak towering above all else 45 miles away, and having some dinner, we picked up Bill (and Steve M F Wolf) at the airport then turned in for a few hours before our </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">true</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> adventures began...</span></span><br />
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com1Mount Sunflower, Weskan, KS 67762, USA39.0219271 -102.0372444000000239.0157591 -102.04732940000002 39.0280951 -102.02715940000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-66355580651387543742014-01-31T03:46:00.000-08:002014-06-21T11:01:10.696-07:00Peak 2310 And Pinnacle - Up High, Down Low<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAeSCCiUkPI/Uyu99EDCt2I/AAAAAAABDgo/kcF38sLBTWM/s1600/IMGP1874ClimbingPeak2310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iAeSCCiUkPI/Uyu99EDCt2I/AAAAAAABDgo/kcF38sLBTWM/s1600/IMGP1874ClimbingPeak2310.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-beb8-738e-3f83-5b0f4bbb6481"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Depending on where you are in the Appalachian Mountains, the “High Peaks” can be those over four, five, or even six thousand feet in elevation. There is also a tendency to sometimes think that these are the premier peaks, and the only ones worth hiking. But despite my own personal guilt of sometimes thinking of the same way, the truth is that in the big scheme of things, even the higher Appalachian Mountains are a pretty lowly bunch. That said, another truth is that the measure of a mountain's worth can be based on many things other than its elevation. Some people hike or climb mountains based on their prominence or their isolation. There is even a dedicated group of people who collect <a href="http://cohp.org/" target="_blank">county highpoints</a>, that is the highest point of every county they can visit, no matter how high or low it is. Yet others base their interest on more subjective or aesthetic criteria, like a mountain's appearance, it's difficulty, or perhaps most often, on how good the views from the top are. Some people have yet other reasons. Actually, I like to think I usually give all of these things, and more, their due consideration.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ht-mGzyaLE/T4TdaZTL9iI/AAAAAAAAlz8/CBhrkKxOYSA/s1600/2012-03-31+10.45.10Peak+2310.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ht-mGzyaLE/T4TdaZTL9iI/AAAAAAAAlz8/CBhrkKxOYSA/s1600/2012-03-31+10.45.10Peak+2310.10.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peak 2310</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bec0-fce9-6c82-52d0742f1189"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While I can’t deny that I like climbing peaks that are on a list of the highest or most prominent in a region, the ones I feel most drawn to are those that have great views. If the peak itself is scenic or dramatic in its own appearance, that is another big plus. And if the route up it is steep, challenging, and fun, then that is yet another great appeal. While the higher peaks often do have all of these qualities in spades, they are not exclusive to them by any means, and many lower mountains can also have these same qualities. Such is the case with unnamed Peak 2310 and the nearby and slightly higher Pinnacle.</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bec2-848e-2d76-0132b65e9f1d"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These two lowly peaks are part of a thirty mile long line of similarly elevated prominences that form the western front of the Blue Ridge from Glasgow to Vesuvius, and average 1,000 feet or more lower than the summits that form the true crest of this section of the range. Despite that, most of them are rather steep, pointy, and rugged. In fact, while these low peaks don’t show up on the more common peakbagging lists, nine of them rank in the <a href="http://listsofjohn.com/customlists?lid=265" target="_blank">overall steepest 100 peaks</a> in the state. Four of them, including Peak 2310 and Pinnacle, are in the top 50. There is no doubt that they are true peaks in their own right, despite the fact that my desk at home in Wytheville where I am writing this is almost identical in elevation to Peak 2310 - which happens to rank as the 945th highest peak in the state. Most also have the distinction of being trail-less, and I would hazard to guess rarely visited - at least by hikers. I certainly haven’t encountered anyone else during my treks in the area. I first visited these two peaks on separate hikes back in early 2012, first doing Pinnacle and Target Hill, then climbing Peak 2310 and Three Sisters Knobs a couple months later. Each of the two this post focuses on had the distinction of being the best of the two peaks I climbed on each trip, and I knew I wanted to come back again sometime, hopefully with a friend to show them off to. My buddy <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> was up to the challenge, as usual, and we picked a nice, clear Winter day to meet up.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdLLNkJk9dE/UrFFURkDeII/AAAAAAAA5iE/BN9yODF-iXM/s1600/IMGP1469Pinnacle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdLLNkJk9dE/UrFFURkDeII/AAAAAAAA5iE/BN9yODF-iXM/s1600/IMGP1469Pinnacle.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinnacle</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bec5-2c50-6045-9c2603cf3df9"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sticking with the route I used the first time, we headed up a gated Forest Service road that leads into the Davidson Run drainage, then veered off of it onto the western ridge. This climbs east, then northeast to the top. This is entirely off-trail, and while it is a bit brushy in spots and there are a few briers, overall the bushwhacking is not too bad. The need to curse is only sporadic. Along the way on the uppermost several hundred vertical feet, however, there are a number of rock outcrops with fun scrambles and great views ranging from south to west to northwest. Some of the peaks visible include Three Sisters Knobs and Apple Orchard Mountain in the contiguous Blue Ridge. Most of the views, however, are of peaks across the Great Valley in the Alleghenies, like Short Hills, the impressive cone of Sugarloaf Mountain, Big House and Little House Mountains, Big Butt, and Jump Mountain. Once on top of this lowly 2,310’ peak, there is also a view of more Blue Ridge peaks, including Pinnacle, Bluff Mountain, and the 4,000 Footer of Rocky Mountain. All in all, it is surprisingly fun and impressive for a mountain whose elevation is slightly lower than a significant portion of the town I live in and about the same as my apartment. We went down the more northerly of the two western ridges. It doesn’t have any real views but is easier going and makes for a nice loop.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave scrambling up the west ridge of Peak 2310</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scrambling continues</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCAS8OSpc34/Uyu-PQJ4f7I/AAAAAAABDb4/Ifz_XzcANLQ/s1600/IMGP1892From2310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCAS8OSpc34/Uyu-PQJ4f7I/AAAAAAABDb4/Ifz_XzcANLQ/s1600/IMGP1892From2310.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Butt and Jump Mountain from Peak 2310, awesome hikes themselves.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bed9-b898-3950-e52e40a8684c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once we got back to the car, before heading for Pinnacle, we crossed the road and did a fairly quick and easy hike up Brady Hill. This was uneventful other than Dave getting rather bloodied and cut up by some wicked thorns near the very beginning. There weren’t any views from this 1,529’ mountain, but it did have some nice open woods and was a new ranked peak for me - Number 1,446 out of 1,615 total peaks in the Virginia elevation rankings to be exact. Neither the Virginia 1ers, nor the Virginia Highest 1,500 are lists I aspire to make much progress on…</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bedb-0aed-230b-95ebaf04d01f"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We drove another mile-and-a-half up the road to the start of the old, now abandoned Belle Cove Trail to begin the trek up Pinnacle. The information I have been able to find indicates that this trail was devastated as a result of a week long period of sustained and heavy rain that occurred over a large area the central and northern Blue Ridge June of 1995 and caused a lot of flooding and a considerable number of landslides in the mountains. It never was reopened, but the lower end still makes a good approach trail for climbing Pinnacle. I assume that one of the neatest features of Pinnacle is a direct result of that same weather system nearly twenty years ago. About a mile up the trail is a tiny tributary of Belle Cove Branch that drains part of Pinnacle’s west side. It is very narrow and confined in a steep-sided ravine, but if one follows it upstream for about 250 yards, it leads to the base of a small but genuine Adirondack-like slide on the north side of Pinnacle’s major southwest ridge. The size of the small pine trees now growing back would seem to agree about the age of the slide. Here a 250 yard long and 50-100 feet wide section of the mountain shed its surface down to the underlying bedrock, taking the trees and soil away.<span style="background-color: #999999;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was very excited to find this open slide on my bushwhack up Pinnacle in January of 2012. It made a great climb with awesome views that got better and better the higher I got, and made me feel like I was in the Adirondacks. The slope is moderately steep, but in dry conditions has good footing, and there is no bushwhacking since it is mostly open - at least for a few more years anyway - being mostly bare rock and loose cobbles. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite as much fun when Dave and I did it. There was just enough snow and ice on the slide to make it treacherous, but yet not enough to justify breaking out our microspikes. The result was that we clung to its edges, partly in the trees and shrubs. But it only took a step or two out into the open to again enjoy the great views to the northwest, where House Mountain in particular is very prominent. Too soon, the slide narrows and ends, and it is very obvious the exact spot the slide started, there even being a small headwall of sorts.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTxJXXvqSE/TxjvVlpxg8I/AAAAAAAAkd4/aSWTriVWPng/s1600/IMGP5350stream+leading+to+slide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOTxJXXvqSE/TxjvVlpxg8I/AAAAAAAAkd4/aSWTriVWPng/s1600/IMGP5350stream+leading+to+slide.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little gorge and unnamed tributary of Belle Cove Creek leads to a great slide on the southwest ridge of Pinnacle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_B9A7Wi-4M/TxjvWioiEOI/AAAAAAAAkeA/htRwQDeAvNA/s1600/IMGP5366slide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_B9A7Wi-4M/TxjvWioiEOI/AAAAAAAAkeA/htRwQDeAvNA/s1600/IMGP5366slide.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was excited to find this open slide on my first bushwhack up Pinnacle. It made a great climb with awesome views that got better and better the higher I got and made me feel like I was in the Adirondacks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDjDqNi30rQ/Uyu-SAVs8ZI/AAAAAAABDgQ/lLspiS8Ek_0/s1600/IMGP1894Pinnacle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yDjDqNi30rQ/Uyu-SAVs8ZI/AAAAAAABDgQ/lLspiS8Ek_0/s1600/IMGP1894Pinnacle.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On this visit, there was just enough snow and ice on the slide to make it a little treacherous, but not enough to justify putting on our microspikes - so we ended up hugging the edge for better footing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAxGvy947gM/TxjvUIHGY5I/AAAAAAAAkdo/yoHKiEqY0l4/s1600/IMGP5365Big+and+Little+House+Mtns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAxGvy947gM/TxjvUIHGY5I/AAAAAAAAkdo/yoHKiEqY0l4/s1600/IMGP5365Big+and+Little+House+Mtns.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little House Mountain in front of Big House Mountain, seen from the slide on Pinnacle.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-73eb7489-bef1-79ac-f145-68f44ab3b923"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From this point, we continued southward and perpendicular a short distance farther until we hit the crest of the peaks main southwest ridge. From here on to the top, there are a number of outcrops on the rocky ridge that provide some easy but fun scrambling and more expansive views than the slide offers. One of the first is a great view south of the conical form of Peak 2310. Continuing higher, from various points along the way, there are views in most directions that take in such sights as Apple Orchard Mountain, Purgatory Mountain, The Knob, Short Hills, a very impressive looking Sugarloaf Mountain,Target Hill, Silas Knob, and Big Rocky Row among them. All in all, it is as rewarding and challenging a climb as almost any of Virginia’s 4,000 Footers. Just like Peak 2310, and unlike more than a few of the 4,000 Footers, there is no doubt where the exact summit of this pointy peak lies. We touched a foot to it, enjoyed some more views while we had a snack, then headed down the north ridge to a yet a couple more viewpoints. At the last of these, and around the 2,000 foot elevation, we deviated from my previous descent route when I was also going after Target Hill, and headed down a minor ridge in a northwesterly, then westerly direction to a saddle crossed by an old woods road a thousand feet lower. From here it was a mostly easy walk back to our starting point and the end of another great adventure in the mountains of Virginia.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrambling on Pinnacle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFPFkV3kmUo/Uyu-foVIE3I/AAAAAAABDfA/U9mPeM4C-EY/s1600/IMGP1911Pinnacle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EFPFkV3kmUo/Uyu-foVIE3I/AAAAAAABDfA/U9mPeM4C-EY/s1600/IMGP1911Pinnacle.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An overlook near the top of Pinnacle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1j3kuDpzVxLUOurvaKdcjyq9fphbJBFAPB4MIJbVzgRufz5lIDlPHwpAuuZvjA-wQ9Qe-NpulHEh0Z5xqHpNZr022tNcRO6UV8UDoGkpXkBLH1eUPv0t83jrYr-9Mvu9hGPWlDA8PII/s1600/Screenshot+2014-06-21+at+12.14.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1j3kuDpzVxLUOurvaKdcjyq9fphbJBFAPB4MIJbVzgRufz5lIDlPHwpAuuZvjA-wQ9Qe-NpulHEh0Z5xqHpNZr022tNcRO6UV8UDoGkpXkBLH1eUPv0t83jrYr-9Mvu9hGPWlDA8PII/s1600/Screenshot+2014-06-21+at+12.14.24+PM.png" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To see the topo map larger on this site, click on the map. Or click <a href="http://www.mappingsupport.com/p/gmap4.php?q=https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2014/Peak2310-Pinnacle/Peak2310-Pinnacle.kml&ll=37.667460,-79.404644&z=15&t=t4" target="_blank">here</a> to see a larger interactive version on Gmap4.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo-F-BasktT_1KFFivIaHczQ73bMR5SO3MOu3qunTO2OXgzGrViWDO69AG6qsXZr8L4z6KOIkjwZymDswT4xdFy1Ui3iSMT7w_h2P0e7-l7J7geWDJU3mwYwVijpOy8CmQf_oFU1Qr2g/s1600/Peak2310-BradyHill-profile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVo-F-BasktT_1KFFivIaHczQ73bMR5SO3MOu3qunTO2OXgzGrViWDO69AG6qsXZr8L4z6KOIkjwZymDswT4xdFy1Ui3iSMT7w_h2P0e7-l7J7geWDJU3mwYwVijpOy8CmQf_oFU1Qr2g/s1600/Peak2310-BradyHill-profile.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation profile for Peak 2310 and Brady Hill</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-xBpatU_3v4wRi92uAGPCWpdJpHlMwzfEbv-rycW03Q5MzAVt1PAxLJO1iGaokWeukvLHNnCciKvoKWTVM9BOEdR38KakNVOpX64aidb1aCe43O6J6lCRAFOzOuMSJREm-5YA_z8Vzg/s1600/Pinnacle-profile.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-xBpatU_3v4wRi92uAGPCWpdJpHlMwzfEbv-rycW03Q5MzAVt1PAxLJO1iGaokWeukvLHNnCciKvoKWTVM9BOEdR38KakNVOpX64aidb1aCe43O6J6lCRAFOzOuMSJREm-5YA_z8Vzg/s1600/Pinnacle-profile.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elevation profile for Pinnacle</td></tr>
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Hike stats:<br />
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Peak 2310 and Brady Hill - 4.85 miles, 2,220' cumulative elevation gain</div>
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Pinnacle - 4 miles, 1,701' cumulative elevation gain</div>
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More pics:</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak2310BradyHillAndPinnacleVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2014</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak2310ThreeSistersKnobsBigSpyMountainAndPeak3490VA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">March 2012</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/PinnacleAndTargetHillVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2012</a></div>
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Resources:</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzeXZmSWhCcUNCbW8&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topo maps</a></div>
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Trailhead coordinates for Peak 2310: <span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">37.6619, -79.4204</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B039'42.8%22N+79%C2%B025'13.4%22W/@37.6618995,-79.4204,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0" style="background-color: #999999;" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a></span></div>
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Trailhead coordinates for Pinnacle: <span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">37.6799, -79.4067</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B040'47.6%22N+79%C2%B024'24.1%22W/@37.6798994,-79.4067,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0" style="background-color: #999999;" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">created with Chrome OS, Android, and various webapps</span></div>
crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-12512793731162218152014-01-04T13:40:00.000-08:002014-04-14T16:24:41.413-07:00Griffith Knob and Peak 3681 - Unknown And Unnamed Isn't A Bad Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2ngGQWBbp7bQ40BzOt9Ej6T4IRvNwkHkDAivmeReIgloVAdoSZGq2mVz_RmrK5uHIDAmCPoAf2A_IdnrrqGFV2bGBhIheCJ90AvDGySEeycDueU5W7wSgTcnMjLnpAnpdaUjE49traA/s1600/IMGP1411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS2ngGQWBbp7bQ40BzOt9Ej6T4IRvNwkHkDAivmeReIgloVAdoSZGq2mVz_RmrK5uHIDAmCPoAf2A_IdnrrqGFV2bGBhIheCJ90AvDGySEeycDueU5W7wSgTcnMjLnpAnpdaUjE49traA/s1600/IMGP1411.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Griffith Knob and Peak 3681</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e1b-5684-9928-f0ed012f8100"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of the best hikes are not documented. Sometimes I think about writing a small booklet titled “<a href="http://peaksandpaths.blogspot.com/p/best-unknown-hikes-of-southwest-virginia.html" target="_blank">The Best Unknown Hikes of Southwest Virginia</a>”, or something similar to that, and having a listing and descriptions of local favorites, close to home but worthwhile outings, and obscure but great locales that may be either on or off trail. They might be long or short, difficult or easy, but the one thing most would have in common is that while some may be well known locally, they have been rarely or perhaps even never documented on anything other than a limited scale. Regionally well known hikes like Mount Rogers and The Cascades would not be included in this category unless they were incidental to a lesser known nearby spot, though it might be somewhat subjective on my part as to what is well known and what is not - and what is worthwhile. Most might not make it onto a list of the best hikes in the Southern Appalachians (though some could), but all would be worthwhile and of interest to someone in the area who didn’t want to drive several hours to a good place to hike, or didn’t want to be gone all day. Most of the hikes would be on public land, but if I knew that a landowner welcomed hikers, then some destinations could be on private property. Whether or not such a book ever comes to fruition, it occurred to me that I can pursue that idea in this blog from time to time. One such hike would be </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104369" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peak 3681</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and 3,782’ </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104316" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Griffith Knob</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Wythe County, a half day (or less) hike little more than 20 minutes away from my home in Wytheville.</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e1f-8b8a-aa20-7b7f5f338e97"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These two peaks are on Brushy Mountain, located in the northern part of the county only a few minutes from U.S. Highway 52, and are within Jefferson National Forest. Respectively, they are the seventh and fifth highest peaks in the county, and the higher Griffith Knob is also the most prominent peak in Wythe County. It should be pointed out that part of this hike is quite steep and on very faint trails, and part of it is completely off-trail, albeit in relatively open woods. As such, it is probably best done in cooler and less vegetated months. The views will also be better then. It is also easy to do only Peak 3681 for a round trip of only around two miles, though because of the route, there is little reason to not include the short side trip to the top of this one even if the primary goal is only Griffith Knob.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdr_QMEnAZI/UwDUntL7jAI/AAAAAAAA_IU/y8bs2ljbbf0/s1600/IMGP1825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vdr_QMEnAZI/UwDUntL7jAI/AAAAAAAA_IU/y8bs2ljbbf0/s1600/IMGP1825.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Mount Rogers and Whitetop from Peak 3681.</span></td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e23-7c85-7cbd-c5b7bbce1ec8"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hike begins at an unmarked pullout on FS 221 only a couple miles from Deer Trail Park. There is an obvious but unmarked path at first, perhaps made by hunters, that starts at the upper end of the parking area, and immediately begins a moderately steep 700’ climb up one of the northeastern ridges of Peak 3681 to the main crest between the two peaks but high on the shoulder of Peak 3681. The path becomes increasingly difficult to see as you climb higher, something to be well aware of for the return trip when it will be surprisingly easy to veer off onto the wrong ridge, but as long as you stay on the crest of this spur ridge going up, you will get to the right spot, hitting the main crest at about the 3,500’ elevation. Take special care to remember this exact spot. From here, turn west and continue upwards less steeply for another 3/10 mile to the top of Peak 3681. There are no wide open views here, but there are at least three spots with limited but pleasant views in different directions. From very nearly right on the summit, there is an outlook to the northwest of Walker Mountain, and peeking above its spine are the more distant and higher peaks of 4,409’ Chestnut Knob and 4,710’ Balsam Beartown, both on the rim of Burkes Garden. A few yards down the northern ridge is an outlook to the east that takes in the valley of Stony Creek between Big Walker and Little Walker Mountains. To wrap things up, one can wander perhaps 50 yards down the southern ridge and find a couple of decent sized openings in the canopy that allow some nice views of Mount Rogers and Whitetop, as well as a swath of the Iron Mountains. Again, none of these views are wide open, and they will be better when the leaves are off the trees - but they are all pretty pleasant scenes and ones that I find quite appealing.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo7xT41cclM/T0zDHtu4d1I/AAAAAAAAlT8/Logz8FY2y_E/s1600/IMGP5882Little+Walker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo7xT41cclM/T0zDHtu4d1I/AAAAAAAAlT8/Logz8FY2y_E/s1600/IMGP5882Little+Walker.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Admiring the view of Stony Fork Valley and Little Walker Mountain from Griffith Knob.</span></td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e26-ace2-fe2e-4df765527657"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After taking in the views, simply return back to the spot where the crest of the ridge was attained on the first leg of the hike - and again, remember it well, as it is easy to miss. At this point, you should head downhill about 1/10 mile along the southeastern ridge, losing a couple hundred feet of elevation, then regaining it to the top of the next unnamed knob at 3,640'. At this point, continue eastward on an old woods road, losing only about 50' before making a final 200' climb up Griffith Knob. It should be mentioned that the rest of the route is on the boundary between National Forest and private property, so don't please don't wander off the ridge crest to the south or east. There is no view from the top, but this is the most prominent peak in Wythe County and knowing that gives a certain satisfaction of its own if one cares about such things. Incidentally, when viewed from several miles away to the east, especially when the leaves are off and there is a bit of snow on the ground, the broad top surrounded by steep slopes and horizontal rock banding give this mountain a very “Catskillian” look that is quite impressive.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4eWtDXHJbE/UwDU1htG_4I/AAAAAAAA_Iw/B8_qFZl8zjk/s1600/IMGP1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4eWtDXHJbE/UwDU1htG_4I/AAAAAAAA_Iw/B8_qFZl8zjk/s1600/IMGP1830.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The conspicuou</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">s peak of Floyd County's Buffalo Mountain seen from Griffith Knob.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e28-6682-8272-dd1516bc535e"></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-97415be9-5e28-6682-8272-dd1516bc535e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One might as well have the views too though. About ¼ mile down the north ridge, where it begins to narrow and then drop off more abruptly, there is a small clifftop opening a few yards off to the right. This is easily the best view of the hike, with an open arc of the landscape to the east and southeast. Little Walker Mountain, Queens Knob, and Sand Mountain are all in plain view and the solitary volcano-like and symmetrical form of Floyd County's Buffalo Mountain is very conspicuous to the southeast on a clear day, despite its being 44 miles away. This is a great spot to hang out for a while and enjoy what will almost certainly be complete solitude. On the return trip, hope you were paying enough attention to your route to avoid going down the wrong ridge anywhere, something that would be very easy to do in at least four different areas. A recorded track on a GPS could be much appreciated now, but it is still better if you made a mental note of key direction changes on your way here. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This hike is not going to attract crowds of people from all over the Southeast, or even the state. However, if you live within an hour or so, and are looking for something new and different, but not without some rewards, this is one of those little known hikes that can fit the bill. There are many more...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYe7cfwpGON2QeK7OjxXIBAbEIu0gvziWVeinXiuTsjiFRp6213AbwMY2b-No_FnrWHGWrx1_GvXuH4tdm42IW87-tD96evQnNFvBUwAKPoy3H6GT0zdZ2o12CgMCKc7x68r4XOlck5Y/s1600/GriffithKnob_Peak3681-topo.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYe7cfwpGON2QeK7OjxXIBAbEIu0gvziWVeinXiuTsjiFRp6213AbwMY2b-No_FnrWHGWrx1_GvXuH4tdm42IW87-tD96evQnNFvBUwAKPoy3H6GT0zdZ2o12CgMCKc7x68r4XOlck5Y/s1600/GriffithKnob_Peak3681-topo.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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To see the topo map larger on this site, click on the map. Or click <a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=4V41" target="_blank">here</a> to see it on CalTopo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C2KdphYHnEempWgGQUOQ9a_9P2XDruQfXh7UgcMcAEnzl8F2E5TGVagMp8D9kNNYnd2eiOh6dw4SICE1CFMU84EvmnaHagUmZfT0eTO1JFAnshxyADsyH2GzOp2-lM4N_Mw33nub76o/s1600/Griffith+Knob+&+Peak+3681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7C2KdphYHnEempWgGQUOQ9a_9P2XDruQfXh7UgcMcAEnzl8F2E5TGVagMp8D9kNNYnd2eiOh6dw4SICE1CFMU84EvmnaHagUmZfT0eTO1JFAnshxyADsyH2GzOp2-lM4N_Mw33nub76o/s1600/Griffith+Knob+&+Peak+3681.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Elevation profile for this hike.</div>
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Hike stats: 4.2 miles, 1,950' cumulative elevation gain</div>
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More pics:</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak3681GriffithKnobVA#" target="_blank">January 2014</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GriffithKnobVA02#" target="_blank">February 2012</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak3681VA#" target="_blank">November 2011</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrushyMountain3681VA#" target="_blank">May 2010</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrushyMountainPeak3681VA#" target="_blank">November 2009</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GriffithKnobVA#" target="_blank">June 2009</a></div>
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Resources:</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzZW9MRlBCb0M3SkE&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topo maps</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>Trailhead coordinates:<span style="background-color: #999999;"> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;">37.0120, -81.2283</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16.00299835205078px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/37%C2%B000%2743.2%22N+81%C2%B013%2741.9%22W/@37.012,-81.2283,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a></span></div>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-84417100832732149742013-12-01T21:02:00.001-08:002014-04-13T22:49:18.240-07:00Comers Rock - Earning Your Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD_mhztquRr3AegEx9LUZnfL4UWc98rFC6yk7N95N9NpdBTW-r27lns4FS62AShn8EUVl7BOzWeYJGwzXg4npoSH-sXU3HlXt8zvvF8lDnqPuuG2SdKYWsau4pF3wHoWNeHEF5NuvsgM/s1600/IMGP1600SandAndDraper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD_mhztquRr3AegEx9LUZnfL4UWc98rFC6yk7N95N9NpdBTW-r27lns4FS62AShn8EUVl7BOzWeYJGwzXg4npoSH-sXU3HlXt8zvvF8lDnqPuuG2SdKYWsau4pF3wHoWNeHEF5NuvsgM/s1600/IMGP1600SandAndDraper.JPG" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-5ca8ca6e-ca7d-1549-73a4-c4ca7e9d92bc"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are often days when I am not especially motivated to go hiking, but feel like I should get out in the woods for a few hours anyway. These same days, I usually don't want to be gone all day, nor do I want to drive very far - generally no farther than thirty minutes away. While I’m lucky enough that there are a few very nice destinations that close to home, that distance nevertheless really limits the choices, and while a lot of the hikes that close are pleasant enough, most are little more than a walk in the woods. There just aren't very many spectacular destinations really close by. Some may be nice enough otherwise, but lack appeal because there is also a road to or near the final destination. That usually takes away any feeling of remoteness out wildness, and usually makes one question why they are hiking up, when they may well encounter hordes of people who drove up. And while I myself am not averse to driving up certain peaks on occasion, it’s rarely as rewarding as a good hike to the same place.</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-5ca8ca6e-ca80-a625-588d-a62f6a1c96a5"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Such is the case with </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104166" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Comers Rock</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. One can drive to within a hundred yards or so of the top, a fact that often makes me discount it as a "serious" hiking goal. But I always forget just how good views actually are from up there on a clear day, and they are even better when you earn them by hiking up. And despite the proximity of a road, there are no"hordes". Besides, it's a pleasant hike anyway, if the chosen route is through the Little Dry Run Wilderness located to the north of the mountain. For the best part of the first three miles, this trail follows the namesake creek of the Wilderness (a rather grandiose term for this little 2,858 acre parcel), a tiny little stream with gorgeous hemlock lined banks, and small pools and undercut banks that harbor native brook trout, some of the prettiest freshwater fish there are. Finding their haunts was one of the original motivations for my interest in hiking. Though I don't fish for brookies any more, I still love visiting the beautiful places they live.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OfeEISA12ITUiXNopkyl9A-ceELIDWuqZX0WoxCZQnZTgMSnRssu_WCWaKGGIkgMTt09gVxGbfvNl3cOfankvbU5z4kutnl35P_xWK4kMXAk_Vtx6i5IhmAhSmQaGcLxpYSUqSUxR2A/s1600/IMGP6970Little+Dry+Run.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5OfeEISA12ITUiXNopkyl9A-ceELIDWuqZX0WoxCZQnZTgMSnRssu_WCWaKGGIkgMTt09gVxGbfvNl3cOfankvbU5z4kutnl35P_xWK4kMXAk_Vtx6i5IhmAhSmQaGcLxpYSUqSUxR2A/s1600/IMGP6970Little+Dry+Run.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy Bell along Little Dry Run. While not from this particular hike, it shows how pretty the area is.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-5ca8ca6e-ca85-185e-ee4b-01b6767a6c5a"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hike starts with an unbridged crossing of Dry Run. If the creek is low enough to rockhop here, then the rest of the hike is probably not an issue. If it’s really high, you might want to come back another day. The trail follows Dry Run upstream a very short distance, then sidehills back to the North and West to reach Little Dry Run. It crosses this smaller stream numerous times, and is a bit vague in a few spots, but as long as the creek is near, so is the trail until one reaches the uppermost headwaters - and if one avoids the trailless northern tributary at the 1.4 mile mark. On another note, it was near this spot a few years ago that I turned off the trail to climb Peak 3,300, the last summit I needed to have climbed all of Wythe County's 43 ranked peaks. That adds another element to my fondness of this area. As the stream dwindles to a trickle, the trail steepens and climbs to a broad saddle to intersect the Virginia Highlands Trail. This makes an appealing return route by following it back to the highway, but the way to the top avoids it and continues straight across, onward and upward from this divide that separates Little Dry Run from Jones Creek. While it is never really steep, the remaining mile-and-a-half is decidedly uphill. Very close to the end, after all one’s work to get here, the trail disappointingly deposits one onto the gravel Forest Service road going to the same place. However, after only a hundred yards, it ends and a set of rustic stone stairs lead the remaining steps. At least the final 150 yards is foot travel only, so there is some solace in knowing that even if you share the summit with other people, you don’t have to share it with their vehicles as well. And you know they didn’t see the pretty places you were privileged to see on the way up. As it turned out on this visit, I had the top all to myself the whole time I was here.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gaHk-hlVRTQz7WxEzMVsmGj7NR1sfaxbK4mcnJTAMORggb8kFjrMtAb9GWDjC29859yrw8mziH2uoI-mDGluo4_bvY9m56QfNmS2WWMtq5a4Uf-8UDE6t35JCv161JUMYSfA9hLXbak/s1600/IMGP1597ViewTowardsBeartown.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gaHk-hlVRTQz7WxEzMVsmGj7NR1sfaxbK4mcnJTAMORggb8kFjrMtAb9GWDjC29859yrw8mziH2uoI-mDGluo4_bvY9m56QfNmS2WWMtq5a4Uf-8UDE6t35JCv161JUMYSfA9hLXbak/s1600/IMGP1597ViewTowardsBeartown.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brumley Mountain, Middle Knob, and Beartown on the horizon.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-5ca8ca6e-ca92-c4e8-7b3c-9036c2f97343"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The summit has a couple of attributes of interest to only to peakbaggers. At 4,100’ in elevation, it is one of Virginia’s 97 ranked Four-Thousand Footers, coming in as the 62nd highest peak in the state. As it is the only peak over 4,000’ in Wythe County, is also the county highpoint for my home county. For everyone else, there are the views. The top has a few rock outcroppings, as well as a deteriorating viewing platform. Even though the railings are falling off and trees have been allowed to block the view to the West, this low platform offers quite a dramatic prospect. Starting in the Northwest and turning clockwise all the way back to the Southwest, the phalanx of mountains marching around the horizon includes a distant Brumley Mountain, Middle Knob, mighty Beartown Mountain, and White Rock on the Clinch Mountain massif. Closer in is Glade Mountain and its associated ridges as well as the sixty mile long sweep of Walker Mountain. Beyond it, to the North, are cliffbound Knob Mountain and Wynne Peak, as well as Chestnut Ridge, spruce-clad Balsam Beartown (sixth highest in Virginia, and the highest that isn’t part of the Mount Rogers massif), Garden Mountain, and East River Mountain. Most of Wythe County is in sight, and notable peaks include its most </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/glossary.html#Rise" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">prominent</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> peak of Griffith Knob, pointy Queens Knob, Cove Mountain, and its most isolated peak of Sand Mountain and attendant High Rocks, Lick Mountain, Stuart Mountain, Swecker Mountain, and Henley Mountain. This latter range separates the Cripple Creek and Reed Creek Valleys. Draper Mountain, Peak Knob, and High Knoll are next, while much farther to the Northeast are the high peaks of Sugar Run Mountain and </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=17635" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bald Knob</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the latter over 50 miles away and Virginia’s </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/glossary.html#Iso" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">most isolated</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> peak. I can’t honestly say I have ever really looked for it, or if I have even been here on a clear enough day, but some research shows me that it should also be possible, at a bearing of 61°, and about halfway between Peak Knob and High Knoll, to see Apple Orchard Mountain from here as well. This is Virginia’s most prominent peak, and is nearly 110 miles away. If indeed it is ever visible, this would probably be one of the longest line of sight views possible in Virginia, if not the entire Southeast. It was clear on this most recent visit, but definitely not </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> clear. Much of the Eastern end of the Iron Mountains, of which Comers Rock itself is part of, extend as far as the New River. Things flatten out a bit on the rolling Blue Ridge Plateau to the Southeast, but a couple notable exceptions jutting up are Floyd County’s and Carroll County’s respective highpoints of Buffalo Mountain and Fisher Peak. To the south rise the considerably higher Grayson County peaks of Point Lookout and Buck Mountain, the eleventh and eighth highest mountains in the state. While not exactly in your face, the most dramatic view is probably to the Southwest. This would be the compact cluster of North Carolina mountains known as the Amphibolites. Among the rugged and spectacular peaks in view are Mount Jefferson, Phoenix Mountain, Bluff Mountain, Elk Knob, ragged Three Top Mountain, Snake Mountain, and the aptly named The Peak. Farther away are the glorious balds of the Roan Highlands. Quite an amazing collection of peaks really, but still not quite everything. By moving off the platform and onto the rocks nearby, one can look to the right of nearby Bald Rock Ridge and get a pretty good look at one of my most special places - the Grayson Highlands. Rising above First, Second, and Third Peaks are Virginia’s highest terrain. Big Pinnacle, Wilburn Ridge, and Mount Rogers are all in sight, and beckon as they always do. And by walking up, you earned the views, and can appreciate them even more. If you come in the Winter after a big snow, it might not even be possible for anyone to drive up even if they wanted to.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfH9rx-5fosFGtYj7NebIO8944vKChUv8JPOBJCHB36D6QOFOA8bWEohCEWNqk8y38mmD8HwJ-4WodqHdxcQyZmHrXJZ2QHB2KXCuVqXEYeBEDT6jS6xBotqFpfAi0OcH2r1L5y7pFpY/s1600/IMGP1604IronMtns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqfH9rx-5fosFGtYj7NebIO8944vKChUv8JPOBJCHB36D6QOFOA8bWEohCEWNqk8y38mmD8HwJ-4WodqHdxcQyZmHrXJZ2QHB2KXCuVqXEYeBEDT6jS6xBotqFpfAi0OcH2r1L5y7pFpY/s1600/IMGP1604IronMtns.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eastern Iron Mountains. Floyd County's Buffalo Mountain is faintly visible near the center of the horizon.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42GRexAjxbToocBDs1zOSq2Dk3VIMrqyxBCQ6vH3VXaxG1uIt5xWkLondQtg217LBTUJgqQgc8wq8-R-0K3SAtgO2wJJTUjNB4-CIwR3Wd4JbSmt_A1RsYJtaUPGAV5JfXp5D3pAFKSI/s1600/IMGP1607Amphibolites.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42GRexAjxbToocBDs1zOSq2Dk3VIMrqyxBCQ6vH3VXaxG1uIt5xWkLondQtg217LBTUJgqQgc8wq8-R-0K3SAtgO2wJJTUjNB4-CIwR3Wd4JbSmt_A1RsYJtaUPGAV5JfXp5D3pAFKSI/s1600/IMGP1607Amphibolites.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The rugged Amphibolit</span><wbr style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"></wbr><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">es of North Carolina, including Phoenix Mountain, Bluff Mountain, Elk Knob, Three Top, Snake Mountain, and The Peak.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yMif8WXg65quxfbUs-ab-wIJehUMWsKd3aOS8-XNqDtDglgCbhKJIRDTS6sfX0mdGSdR93TOaY6UcoaIjj9i8svHHk9fwrrNDBW9UxrdL5ldmbVPJqcQfdwUKjo5pzKgMwyCbe4qlzs/s1600/IMGP1603MtRogers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yMif8WXg65quxfbUs-ab-wIJehUMWsKd3aOS8-XNqDtDglgCbhKJIRDTS6sfX0mdGSdR93TOaY6UcoaIjj9i8svHHk9fwrrNDBW9UxrdL5ldmbVPJqcQfdwUKjo5pzKgMwyCbe4qlzs/s1600/IMGP1603MtRogers.JPG" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia's highest and most alluring terrain - looking towards Big Pinnacle, Wilburn Ridge, and Mount Rogers.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BNy21TesxB1FmzTHrdEG00lQYa4cXkt0VH_-iEpVgP6lCJyqOL75WhwDOg4P2QfJwmTBfsuPUVqJMnIR9mukHcdJsFA7ltr2JQfBhnT6fWRsqHDEdlL02ixCRGKfeY-zGw-Wc2533ig/s1600/Little+Dry+Run+topo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BNy21TesxB1FmzTHrdEG00lQYa4cXkt0VH_-iEpVgP6lCJyqOL75WhwDOg4P2QfJwmTBfsuPUVqJMnIR9mukHcdJsFA7ltr2JQfBhnT6fWRsqHDEdlL02ixCRGKfeY-zGw-Wc2533ig/s1600/Little+Dry+Run+topo.jpg" height="409" width="640" /></a></div>
To see the topo map for this hike larger on this site, click on the image or click <a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=1816" target="_blank">here</a> to see it on CalTopo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vNvOlCYy984Lqi9eQ53JOk29pBvwrbGYYlJIrSm0viqNn_hXXIB-bWG76mCezO4tsIsqOq9477lpIlsUn-rtfXrscyf07y8-PK7MPQh_Hh2dtaNPP3-cdg65BBGAL_gteQqmxPvYRwk/s1600/Comers+Rock_12-1-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vNvOlCYy984Lqi9eQ53JOk29pBvwrbGYYlJIrSm0viqNn_hXXIB-bWG76mCezO4tsIsqOq9477lpIlsUn-rtfXrscyf07y8-PK7MPQh_Hh2dtaNPP3-cdg65BBGAL_gteQqmxPvYRwk/s1600/Comers+Rock_12-1-13.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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Elevation profile for this hike.</div>
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Hike stats: 9.9 miles, 2,000 cumulative elevation gain</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ComersRockVA#" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a></div>
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Pictures from other visits to Comers Rock</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/PeachBottomMountainComersRockNCVA?authkey=Gv1sRgCNHy3rrJ8LHeoQE#" target="_blank">October 2010</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/CoveMountainBigWalkerLookoutComersRockVA#" target="_blank">May 2010</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/LittleDryRunComersRockVA02#" target="_blank">February 2010</a></div>
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Resources:</div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzb2Y0QlhfVnVycTQ&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topo maps</a></div>
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Trailhead Coordinates: 36.78855, -81.18327 </div>
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(trail begins across road from parking area, on West side of road)</div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/preview/place/%2B36%C2%B047'18.78%22,+-81%C2%B010'59.77%22/@36.7927131,-81.2004496,14z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/preview/place/%2B36%C2%B047'18.78%22,+-81%C2%B010'59.77%22/@36.788494,-81.183626,3a,90y,80.53h,71.3t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sGklKnnW8TDiXOcbGbcZNVg!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0!6m1!1e1" target="_blank">Google Street View of Trailhead</a></div>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-44806218334642061542013-11-02T19:44:00.000-07:002014-01-03T22:15:20.260-08:00Bluff Mountain And Hellgate Ridge - Neglect and Rediscovery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJa6JhZ3CAIdPF5maNraMcRANX8MalkHnvM8jTW-eWnzBigxJLBjpz68ttcwpkQfaqOuarhba9d0d6iFWdQD8NPN59bGkziOBF1H3SuQm-jcSqcNkdHA0t1bdEupBOfRuIlKXDydYKhQ/s1600/IMGP1494BluffSummit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJa6JhZ3CAIdPF5maNraMcRANX8MalkHnvM8jTW-eWnzBigxJLBjpz68ttcwpkQfaqOuarhba9d0d6iFWdQD8NPN59bGkziOBF1H3SuQm-jcSqcNkdHA0t1bdEupBOfRuIlKXDydYKhQ/s640/IMGP1494BluffSummit.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes you realize that you shouldn't have waited so long to do a hike again. Such was my case with <a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104588" target="_blank">Bluff Mountain</a>. I had hiked the Appalachian Trail up this mountain once before, way back in 1994. I don't really remember what I thought of it then. Maybe it was hazy, or maybe I just didn't feel like writing, because my journal from that day only makes mention that I was there. But I still knew it had a view and so it seemed like it was time to rediscover it. I've been very close to it again quite a few times during the intervening years, on a number of hikes to Rocky Row, and also to several other nearby peaks like Pinnacle.</span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5af2-f6b0-6771-a5bb9edaa0fd"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a very conspicuous peak from a number of more distant viewpoints throughout the region. One reason for that is that despite its modest elevation of only 3,372', it is the most prominent peak along a 26 mile stretch of the Blue Ridge and dead center between the even more prominent, but less distinctive peaks of Apple Orchard Mountain and Rocky Mountain. It is one of only 106 mountains in Virginia to have over 1,000 feet of prominence and rises to a fairly small summit. These qualities make it stand to reason that it was once a firetower peak, and should command an extensive view. It was time to refresh my memory...</span></span><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5af3-5497-9300-644d3027a7d9"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My approach the first time had been on the Appalachian Trail, but several explorations of other peaks in this area had brought a potentially interesting, and more challenging option to my attention. Assuming the Forest Service map was correct and there was public access at the start, the topo showed a pipeline and attendant service road going up Bennetts Run, then making a near beeline most of the way for the summit from the northwest. Satellite imagery seemed to confirm the same and so a plan was made. My frequent hiking companion <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David</a> was free, and up for a good hike, so off we went to explore.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbmYbRR7UDmlkjIt101zttHuJcpJnAqZI79EhaqBK5iFzrlL-ahN7Yk1pPaSSFVN-w6eg2zaDYRTUQvXMiTBPYaMzJ44hjLIZvN-AKlKN-laIAoePuNdFCgpfXROJ4_bGlDONSVZLBYs/s1600/IMGP1469Pinnacle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbmYbRR7UDmlkjIt101zttHuJcpJnAqZI79EhaqBK5iFzrlL-ahN7Yk1pPaSSFVN-w6eg2zaDYRTUQvXMiTBPYaMzJ44hjLIZvN-AKlKN-laIAoePuNdFCgpfXROJ4_bGlDONSVZLBYs/s320/IMGP1469Pinnacle.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back at Pinnacle.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5b81-f004-ec3d-6975b24cb1f6"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We found the gated Forest Service road and began our hike at an elevation of only 900', leaving a respectable climb to the top. The route was a bit confusing at the beginning as we skirted around a large car junkyard on private property, then tried to follow a more obscure woods road to the pipeline. We lost it in brush and briars and had to just cut through the woods to find the pipeline, only to discover it too was pretty brushy, with waist high greenery still not quite knocked down by the return of cold weather. This would not be fun in the green months but nevertheless led us up Bennetts Run, and between the peaks of Pinnacle and Target Hill (both worthy destinations themselves) to the point where the small stream split into its North and South Forks. The hiking became much more interesting at this point, as the pipeline abandoned the overgrown drainage and climbed steeply straight up the fall line of the Northwest Ridge of Bluff Mountain. The route became a rocky treadway, a narrow road really, and climbed up through open woods with some occasional views behind us of Pinnacle and Target Hill, and through the “V” they create, which allowed us to see part of the fog-laden Maury River Valley and the ridges of the Alleghenies beyond. The grade eased briefly in a couple areas, but overall it remained a fine, steep ridge that was relatively narrow and scenic. I liked it a lot!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeedWNhyphenhypheniRkcS0I9zF4Bf14vdKVZpnQVdRrGSv_GQ4fvZdCumaVeF4Gs1SbQCmsyfmEJ82pP8VlrzgFemHmZGFs95nB4p9s8_gu1lv50AElz2CQILYINJfWMKbDDY8R54iRwv1LOlXgGA/s1600/IMGP1481Rocky_NoBusiness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeedWNhyphenhypheniRkcS0I9zF4Bf14vdKVZpnQVdRrGSv_GQ4fvZdCumaVeF4Gs1SbQCmsyfmEJ82pP8VlrzgFemHmZGFs95nB4p9s8_gu1lv50AElz2CQILYINJfWMKbDDY8R54iRwv1LOlXgGA/s320/IMGP1481Rocky_NoBusiness.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocky Mountain and No Business Mountain.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5b85-9f8e-62e0-96213ee0c848"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, at about the 2,500’ level, the pipeline veers abruptly south to drop down a few hundred feet in elevation, then climb again to the shallow gap separating Bluff Mountain and Hellgate Ridge. The ridge we were on looked more appealing than ever now, and we certainly didn’t see any reason to lose elevation, so we opted to head off-trail and continue on our current course to the top, which was now only ¾ of a mile away, albeit still over a 800 feet higher. There was a bit of scrambling, some limited views, and a bit of rhodo-whacking to round things out, but all in all it was a fine little climb. A short distance from the top, we hit the old fire tower access road and followed it the remainder of the way.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVhsInhlaB8JI6iE7zfVz7RYuSZ36lWkUdXTY4vL_-Bc9qml7TWUiPJeIXEplJl4zOCCwr1aYuKY_PQGro8D4N_dKhQ9MlTT7eqcoT8J9Pcfjf6XnqNF4N9XZdBw8uQQvenbipllpqGY/s1600/panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVhsInhlaB8JI6iE7zfVz7RYuSZ36lWkUdXTY4vL_-Bc9qml7TWUiPJeIXEplJl4zOCCwr1aYuKY_PQGro8D4N_dKhQ9MlTT7eqcoT8J9Pcfjf6XnqNF4N9XZdBw8uQQvenbipllpqGY/s640/panorama1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The panorama West and North from Bluff Mountain looks across the Great Valley to Big Butt, Jump Mountain, and Great North Mountain in the Alleghenies as well as toward such Blue Ridge summits as Whites Peak and Adams Peak.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5b89-25ca-a292-8e9d8e2ffa35"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though the lookout tower that would have allowed a 360° panorama is sadly now long gone, the semi-open summit did not disappoint. Between the hardwoods and a curious handful of red spruce - usually found considerably higher or farther North, there was a great view to the south of High Peak and No Business Mountains, with the vast flattening of the Piedmont extending beyond to the limits of the horizon. But the real reward was the sweeping view of mountainous country to the North and Northeast. Close at hand were many of the low, but steep, rugged, and pointy peaks that form the western front of the Central Blue Ridge in Virginia. Among these were Elephant Mountain, Garnet Peak, Silver Peak, Whites Peak, and also Adams Peak and McClung Mountain - the last two personal favorites. To the left of all those peaks was a long swath of the Great Valley, with Buena Vista and Lexington both in sight. Beyond the valley rose the long wall of the Alleghenies, with House Mountain, Big Butt, Jump Mountain, and Elliot Knob all plainly in view along with many others. I have no intention of allowing twenty years to pass again before a third visit.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu1kg9GW0aOELKmgQ5Xm8LoCh5SMGTT0wgMT4p1bTiNvjskjc2tInTvRBrD4ExmIjsqBWWOb72kI-jsxIz9nZYwudZisWoAySPVZ0tAlc-Q0tGYxWFgqjifZJGKfg8OHFH5j3bHAaH0s/s1600/IMGP1497pinnacle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEu1kg9GW0aOELKmgQ5Xm8LoCh5SMGTT0wgMT4p1bTiNvjskjc2tInTvRBrD4ExmIjsqBWWOb72kI-jsxIz9nZYwudZisWoAySPVZ0tAlc-Q0tGYxWFgqjifZJGKfg8OHFH5j3bHAaH0s/s320/IMGP1497pinnacle.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A neat pinnacle on Hellgate Ridge.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5b8b-bd62-2e97-ad9cf987434e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rather than backtracking on the return hike, we followed the Appalachian Trail south a short distance, then headed off-trail again to traverse <a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=105361" target="_blank">Hellgate Ridge</a>. This was rather thick in places, but we did find a neat pinnacle on the ridgeline, as well as a small clifftop overlook with views of Silas Knob and Big Rocky Row. We also found a limited, but great view of conical Peak 2310 and impressive looking Sugarloaf Mountain.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--421acf1-5b8c-07c9-9dd2-ebfecff008d1"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We should have continued along the ridgeline to the top of Pinnacle for more great views and another summit for the day, but instead we dropped back down to Bennetts Run from the low spot on the ridge. This required some very steep and tedious sidehilling, and dealing with a lot of fallen trees near the creek before climbing back uphill again anyway to regain the pipeline trail. From there is was easy walking on now familiar terrain, and we found and successfully followed the faint road we had lost near the beginning of the hike. It will serve me well in the not too distant future when I do this hike again. I’m not going to neglect this great peak again now that I have rediscovered its treasures.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A minor viewpoint on Hellgate Ridge, looking toward Silas Knob and Big Rocky Row.</td></tr>
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<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Bluff%2520Mountain_Hellgate%2520Ridge/Bluff%2520Mountain_Hellgate%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=37.672845,-79.368662&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe><br />
Route of the Bluff Mountain hike. To see a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Bluff%2520Mountain_Hellgate%2520Ridge/Bluff%2520Mountain_Hellgate%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=37.672845,-79.368662&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Note: There seems to be a problem with the default map view I have selected not showing properly. Please select the map you prefer from the drop-down menu in the upper right hand corner of the map.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83zPkZkoBFljXSciCuabyMhtOkyIY_iU6KLy_hZ0HJdRH8HAcKhcGsU-WuJax5tAE0fXGrOIvORlIeuqCXYEn3sXdRGXA1slPjh2iFAERjWuii04kmoSbmEGRktyuPU1wl9jW5IMLc68/s1600/BluffMountain-HellgateRidge_11-3-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83zPkZkoBFljXSciCuabyMhtOkyIY_iU6KLy_hZ0HJdRH8HAcKhcGsU-WuJax5tAE0fXGrOIvORlIeuqCXYEn3sXdRGXA1slPjh2iFAERjWuii04kmoSbmEGRktyuPU1wl9jW5IMLc68/s640/BluffMountain-HellgateRidge_11-3-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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Hike stats: 9.25 miles, 3,280' cumulative elevation gain<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BluffMountainAndHellgateRidgeVA" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a>.<br />
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Resources:<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzRER1S3BhLVpaTjg&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topos for this hike</a><br />
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Trailhead coordinates:<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;">37.68971, -079.39118</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana;"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/preview#!q=N37.68971%C2%B0+W079.39118%C2%B0&data=!1m4!1m3!1d3922!2d-79.3910277!3d37.6895759!4m14!2m13!1m12!3m8!1m3!1d253480!2d-81.1266725!3d36.9518639!3m2!1i1920!2i954!4f13.1!4m2!3d37.68971!4d-79.39118" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a></span></span><br />
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<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-70217469424588396122013-10-08T19:37:00.000-07:002013-12-08T08:52:00.843-08:00On Becoming An Adirondack 46er! - Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On October 5, 2013, Peter Barr and I became Adirondack 46ers atop the 4,150' summit of Sawteeth</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c87f-6b80-e13d-f42fe725a14f"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had started planning our return for this year during the drive home last year. By the time <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/111087835550262936546" target="_blank">+Peter Barr</a> and his wife <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/102946465570334373752" target="_blank">+Allison</a> had finished their Summer visit to the Northeast a couple months earlier, he still needed eighteen peaks to my nine, but we had agreed that it might be possible for us to both finish on this year's trip. It was ambitious, and would require everything to go just right, but it was possible and sounded like a great idea to me. I had also gotten <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> interested in joining us, not because he was particularly interested in the 46ers, but because it promised to be a great trip with lots of good hikes. I was quite excited when the day of our departure finally arrived, especially when the 10 day forecast looked unbelievably good.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway! Dave's 25th state highpoint.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c88f-6551-1ea3-9c46e564c62c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hitting the road around 5 a.m., we drove pretty much nonstop except for gas, and made it to Port Jervis, NY early enough that I suggested we make a quick drive up to the nearby New Jersey state highpoint so that Dave could add it to his growing list of completions. Accurately, but unimaginatively named High Point, this 1,803’ foot mountain was Dave’s 25th state high point, and along with a scale replica of the Washington Monument on its summit, on a clear day it actually has surprisingly good views of the Kitattiny Ridge, Hudson Highlands, and Shawangunks, as well as the higher and more distant Catskills. We did not linger long, as we had hopes of doing a short hike in the Southern Adirondacks before dark. I had tried to fit Crane Mountain into other trips before, but it had never quite worked out. This time it did. We got to the trailhead with, as it turned out, just enough time to do a great four mile loop to the cliffy summit of this classic hike and start the trip off right. The rest of the week would be spent climbing Adirondack 46ers.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbG_TlClcErADMaaNEQYAR6iciTW3C7grGqg-hOsw8_slMfm1JI7rZPLTzSiulFa8SHtjuRqoWMbPcYgY2W0caxONFW1r8RUQlTfSv2PJVJTUwDuVyH8Vs7XU9fhXBywN3ZnywnUeCMM/s1600/IMG_0098Crane_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbG_TlClcErADMaaNEQYAR6iciTW3C7grGqg-hOsw8_slMfm1JI7rZPLTzSiulFa8SHtjuRqoWMbPcYgY2W0caxONFW1r8RUQlTfSv2PJVJTUwDuVyH8Vs7XU9fhXBywN3ZnywnUeCMM/s640/IMG_0098Crane_Dave.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter on Crane Mountain. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_t18UAPFL9-3tyeUWgegp-qSkGpvGREPJ9OqrnfrNv-xZAIIDi52G1CJWsVsYNh2mSjpesIQK0EbQRgMayto9Lk8hR-e3QOAZ6kqjRKIISTXn0YJaCninLD2cWzQMHTlJJAh4tSnOqI/s1600/IMGP0848Hudson.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_t18UAPFL9-3tyeUWgegp-qSkGpvGREPJ9OqrnfrNv-xZAIIDi52G1CJWsVsYNh2mSjpesIQK0EbQRgMayto9Lk8hR-e3QOAZ6kqjRKIISTXn0YJaCninLD2cWzQMHTlJJAh4tSnOqI/s320/IMGP0848Hudson.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave crossing the Hudson River.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c897-3091-78db-6afa42b4c17e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We decided to start the remainder of the week off by "eating the frog first" and doing what would probably be two of the hardest hikes of the trip on the first two days. The pick for Day One ended up being Allen Mountain, a peak that doesn't have a reputation for being the most spectacular in the Dacks, but does have the distinction of being one of the most remote, as well as requiring possibly the longest hike to get a single peak, a near twenty miler. One can normally bag several Adirondack peaks on a hike of this length. It has the additional difficulties of two river crossings, several normally boggy areas, and the notoriously slick "red slime" on the wet rocks of the mountain proper. Much to our pleasure, we had a comparatively easy day, a theme that would be true all week thanks to dry weather. The crossings of both the Hudson and the Opalescent Rivers were relatively easy rockhops, and there was little in the way of mud and boggy areas. We did still have the algae slickened rocks and steepness of the actual climb of the peak to deal with though, so it wasn't a “gimme” by any means, and we still barely managed to finish by dark, therefore having no chance of also tacking on a side trip up Mount Adams. That firetower peak will have to wait for another time, but it had turned out that Allen had surprisingly good views of its own, particularly toward the Great Range. Sawteeth, the peak we hoped to finish the 46ers on later in the week was in plain sight too, which was pretty neat.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawteeth (right center) would be my and Peter's final ADK 46er peak at the end of the week. Our ascent route would follow the Scenic Trail across the "sawteeth" of the right ridgeline.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stepped in an Adirondack booby trap on the way back from Allen.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp6RR7se0sxHjISfsQuy7N_pwodbwhppPizFQLTtbzlA28ZNARGFClOw9S3AI4DPUToqrBJ89F9tk4Yg9oldJ_ewXrBowHMcuDiI4ZwOVsrzIwjIA95wrvXPYr__NaeEGtTR7voTwt2E/s1600/IMG_0202herdpath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp6RR7se0sxHjISfsQuy7N_pwodbwhppPizFQLTtbzlA28ZNARGFClOw9S3AI4DPUToqrBJ89F9tk4Yg9oldJ_ewXrBowHMcuDiI4ZwOVsrzIwjIA95wrvXPYr__NaeEGtTR7voTwt2E/s320/IMG_0202herdpath.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c8af-349d-53b8-abf9a964a24c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next morning we were on the trail shortly after it got light and soon enough we were heading up Santanoni Brook. Once we got onto the herd path at Bradley Pond, things were straight up as usual and we began the root grabbing, rock scrambling ascent to Times Square, thence to the summit of Panther Peak and its excellent views. Of course, there was also a perhaps too good view of the little bundle of joy that we were heading for next. That would be 3,792' Couchsachraga, "affectionately" known as "Cooch". Since this peak actually misses being a 4,000 Footer by over two hundred feet - and isn't even a ranked peak, I think most people are annoyed by the fact that it remains on the list. It would probably elicit less animosity if it were easy, but the simple fact of the matter is that it requires a side trip of three miles, losing and gaining several hundred feet of elevation, part of it steeply, and crossing a notorious bog in the col between it and Panther. Oh yeah - it doesn't even have a view. It turned out that the hike was actually kind of fun though, and the bog wasn't that big of an obstacle - no doubt thanks to the dry weather. A couple of older gentlemen we had passed just before the bog however, had told Dave that "I wouldn't want to be you" when they saw that he didn't have trekking poles to use for balance while crossing all the small limbs and branches that past hikers have laid out across the bog. This funny remark ended up being oft repeated the rest of the week</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> whenever the going got really challenging, because the upper part of this"trail" is probably nearly as difficult as anything else I have ever done in the Adirondacks.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyeing the long side trip to 'Coochie. While we were NOT looking forward to doing that peak, it turned out to be less difficult than anticipated.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave descending the extremely steep and aptly named upper section of the Santanoni Express. In a classic case of downplaying the difficulty, another hiker had very casually told us "it's not bad".</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79-ILNJnTKiVHPUywTnv5kLbKogI8kMi_cilRXi6o_4GbJ7P7RbgFbkzGnESCo46RQMWa-AspZWu3f7kL6QmUwCs3bna300JIriYZwwzvd7PDXFejuCPCAd-6U0cGeXxD2adZQn6riCo/s1600/IMG_0304Sawtooths.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79-ILNJnTKiVHPUywTnv5kLbKogI8kMi_cilRXi6o_4GbJ7P7RbgFbkzGnESCo46RQMWa-AspZWu3f7kL6QmUwCs3bna300JIriYZwwzvd7PDXFejuCPCAd-6U0cGeXxD2adZQn6riCo/s640/IMG_0304Sawtooths.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sawtooth Mountains and the distant pyramid of Whiteface. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c8dc-c07f-497a-8b1fdbd26431"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monday's hike was somewhat easier, a single peak trek up Seymour. This ended up being quite enjoyable, with several miles of easy walking on the relatively flat and smooth Ward Brook Truck Trail. There was also a nice display of Fall foliage all along this first part of the hike, with lots of reds and oranges. I would say that the colors were pretty much at peak here. The hike up the actual mountain was just a typical bout of going straight up, complete with occasional sections of Adirondack problem solving. Just before topping out, we got waylaid by a large outcropping just off the trail known as"See-more" Rock. The views from here were nothing less than spectacular. The summit would just have to wait because we decided to take a long lunch and picture break at this unexpectedly wonderful lookout with a sweeping view that included Seward, Ampersand, the Sawtooths, Whiteface, and a large swath of the North Country beyond. It was a few more minutes to the top, and as usual, there was still a bit more work to do than expected to get there. I had a prophetic fortune at the Chinese buffet in Saranac Lake afterwards. It said: "Your aspirations are met with success soon." I decided to keep that one.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail through the krumholz on Colden. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Bob's namesake peak - Mount Marshall. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the herd path for Cliff Mountain, another typical obstacle in the Dacks, where easy hiking is a rarity - but it's never boring! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP9Emx5hEUoZIJSfQtMTWmaQKjmyB5SJ_OMeFNjjX45BNzXOUnMeUuKzVIvadtXvJW4-Ku8Z_MrFZpvgfFyeJ6PwOXaBCw1s4nrqnLaQpwPH2AbvPx2BSDv_AAoQRT8vCBKjGqB9ypH0/s1600/IMGP1110AvalanchePass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcP9Emx5hEUoZIJSfQtMTWmaQKjmyB5SJ_OMeFNjjX45BNzXOUnMeUuKzVIvadtXvJW4-Ku8Z_MrFZpvgfFyeJ6PwOXaBCw1s4nrqnLaQpwPH2AbvPx2BSDv_AAoQRT8vCBKjGqB9ypH0/s640/IMGP1110AvalanchePass.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the valley trails are slow going at times. In Avalanche Pass.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c8ef-fb93-6c95-9ad5b602c256"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We had mistakenly assumed the second day of this hike would be relatively easy. It was not. We headed up the Opalescent River to the herd path for Redfield and Cliff, thence continued climbing along Uphill Brook. Actually, Redfield wasn't unusually difficult, it just seemed longer than I was expecting. This was our first viewless peak, as we found ourselves well up into the clouds this morning. At least it wasn't raining though. Cliff turned out to be appropriately named and was considerably more difficult than I was anticipating based on its modest length and elevation gain. A lot of that gain was rather precipitous and involved a good bit of challenging, but fun scrambling up rock faces. It was also a bit more of a drop into the col between the false and true summits than I expected from a cursory glance at the map. We were still in the clouds on this one too, so we did not linger. Where we did linger for a while was at the rather spectacular spot on the Opalescent River where a decent sized waterfall plunged into a narrow slot canyon-like defile. After returning to the leanto and gathering our gear, we began the hike back out as the skies cleared. This made for a great walk through the always amazing Avalanche Pass area and its rocky ruggedness.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_nqxwQaLgc6I4UfXpRhYwOpyOqcieHmYKGU2XSxdKkMwhGQ4EJLx3iL9nN_kX1P0fsp8if6GudUWoHsttBHfkcWPVqd6L5omuP0Lo9LausBxzrUcDUU2NIEWxsRKUi81FpbZ2D3CieQ/s1600/DSCN9496_BasinSummit_Peter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_nqxwQaLgc6I4UfXpRhYwOpyOqcieHmYKGU2XSxdKkMwhGQ4EJLx3iL9nN_kX1P0fsp8if6GudUWoHsttBHfkcWPVqd6L5omuP0Lo9LausBxzrUcDUU2NIEWxsRKUi81FpbZ2D3CieQ/s640/DSCN9496_BasinSummit_Peter.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Basin Mountain. Haystack, Skylight, and Marcy in the distance. Photo by Peter Barr</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoYzREpxWBOYLuEL4XUwuhyBKAGpecni8EWnqA4iz1GCTdyL0aqh7AvkNPlBv6Y_MdKZJfQwDRJPZZhjWzvBVPyEwltB-oJxh7gWkB9vOdOZpaeUKajo-03OZ88yz6K7zFPkXS0jMk9w/s1600/IMGP1169exposureonSaddleback.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdoYzREpxWBOYLuEL4XUwuhyBKAGpecni8EWnqA4iz1GCTdyL0aqh7AvkNPlBv6Y_MdKZJfQwDRJPZZhjWzvBVPyEwltB-oJxh7gWkB9vOdOZpaeUKajo-03OZ88yz6K7zFPkXS0jMk9w/s640/IMGP1169exposureonSaddleback.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slight exposure on Saddleback.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0gYfGsC5etKna29YJc70F0pP3p3VGOrAZ_HrD4cXHIzlrkkMH4RT71kxY5jYvks828twOxUmc4yHf4Kglb2m2LDwU1BRIo5Ld512kQnv7BQ_-24F5z1wFQl5fSsdNXlmJ7oppX08wUY/s1600/IMGP1185Gothics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0gYfGsC5etKna29YJc70F0pP3p3VGOrAZ_HrD4cXHIzlrkkMH4RT71kxY5jYvks828twOxUmc4yHf4Kglb2m2LDwU1BRIo5Ld512kQnv7BQ_-24F5z1wFQl5fSsdNXlmJ7oppX08wUY/s640/IMGP1185Gothics.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first time I climbed Gothics, this cable was a lifesaver because the rock was icy and I had neglected to bring traction devices on the trip. This time it was under perfect conditions!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqoZj_6hM7l1hIGRPIwPQ27SW009FWIK5-Zr_GU6sDxtg0volChD62ITHi1SbMFkD1sylcrksH0XiEGndUj3YLkFi1Zxi-iMHdedIwLPHpFniluw2NeF6EeGxk6ocEL-AXUH38P30hk0/s1600/IMGP1219GiantRPRNoonmark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqoZj_6hM7l1hIGRPIwPQ27SW009FWIK5-Zr_GU6sDxtg0volChD62ITHi1SbMFkD1sylcrksH0XiEGndUj3YLkFi1Zxi-iMHdedIwLPHpFniluw2NeF6EeGxk6ocEL-AXUH38P30hk0/s640/IMGP1219GiantRPRNoonmark.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The massive hulk of Giant Mountain (left) and Rocky Peak Ridge. Vermont's Camels Hump is faintly visible between them. At center right is the rocky summit of Noonmark.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw6mNPW3KxImzPLmmcRgynUOq7RGbX_fuNk59oqhyphenhyphen_7RMoSr8omj0aXsEAUBLdKSdeXOczpnpkDMVTh0qcZRyim9pLUqVJs5kJ77XFCRDkOM4eBPaEbywbjgf7swwWORS_TKyHrjVHCU/s1600/IMG_0725Gothics_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqw6mNPW3KxImzPLmmcRgynUOq7RGbX_fuNk59oqhyphenhyphen_7RMoSr8omj0aXsEAUBLdKSdeXOczpnpkDMVTh0qcZRyim9pLUqVJs5kJ77XFCRDkOM4eBPaEbywbjgf7swwWORS_TKyHrjVHCU/s640/IMG_0725Gothics_Dave.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cliffs of Gothics. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBal0rXTwzhIW-OAerO2kuK05YeUSFBaOjudM2Dx8PwIy6KBIsUoHZ2HxPG-JT4Jrvuq5L83Jic6u9ylXAYGnckIrCWuF6s6CFbpuiv8gQqE1N4JIzG0Jse_OsC0Sa6_fjKU4hgz3Pd0/s1600/IMGP1251beckoningpath.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBal0rXTwzhIW-OAerO2kuK05YeUSFBaOjudM2Dx8PwIy6KBIsUoHZ2HxPG-JT4Jrvuq5L83Jic6u9ylXAYGnckIrCWuF6s6CFbpuiv8gQqE1N4JIzG0Jse_OsC0Sa6_fjKU4hgz3Pd0/s640/IMGP1251beckoningpath.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beckoning path. This may also be the easiest spot on the Range Trail! We enjoyed all 100 feet of its brevity...</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c900-e51e-c3b2-e8344af648da"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While tied with the hike up Allen at 19.4 miles as our longest, our toughest and most spectacular day by far was next, a traverse of most of the Great Range. We were on the trail by 5:30 a.m. for this six peak day with over 7,000 feet of total elevation gain. It was awesome to go up the new slide below the Gothics-Saddleback col - that wasn't there the first time I hiked that trail back in 1999. We did an out and back over Saddleback to Basin, and while definitely steep and certainly spectacular, neither peak was quite as vertical as I remembered. That was probably a good thing, as I had been at least a little apprehensive about going down the southwest side of Saddleback. Even so, one of us took a bit of a controlled fall at a particularly tricky spot. The real treat for me was the climb up Gothics. I did it with snow and ice, and no views the first time. Today was a bluebird day with perfect visibility. And with no ice, I was actually able to walk up the extremely steep but grippy slabs without really needing the cables. There were some burning calves though! We also made the short, but "interesting" and ever so worthwhile side trip to Pyramid. A lot of people think this is another contender for the best view in the Adirondacks. I can't say it is, but I also can't say it isn't. It is amazing by any standard. The remaining three peaks of Armstrong and the two Wolfjaws was somewhat easier than the first three peaks, but definitely still had their moments and were almost new to me, since it had been so long since I was last on them. I had hoped to go down the Bennie's Brook slide, but since we reached the top of Upper Wolfjaw just before sunset (a beautiful one at that), we decided it smart to descend on the trail instead to finish the last several miles in the dark. In fact, it was nearly 10 p.m. when we reached the car, and we had to settle for frozen pizzas bought at Stewart's and baked at the Keene Valley Hostel for dinner. The adventure of the day had been worth it though.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPle1CZ7lTwOeOYFgInTe3t6TSRKIcAR7jZ7GYYuSacsIOScFFTBFQFYpF7ZMP5c-cMnfRnkAGqJfFjfsT_uiehavyTSKReU4N6cPIqiXBf9urOKrp-bd7IunA6qkOrjzSJcnsRxq6vY/s1600/IMG_0833RPR_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPle1CZ7lTwOeOYFgInTe3t6TSRKIcAR7jZ7GYYuSacsIOScFFTBFQFYpF7ZMP5c-cMnfRnkAGqJfFjfsT_uiehavyTSKReU4N6cPIqiXBf9urOKrp-bd7IunA6qkOrjzSJcnsRxq6vY/s640/IMG_0833RPR_Dave.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great lunch spot - the summit of Rocky Peak Ridge. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqPeaSPrTyeyvDH6ibsuZ9pJ-X4zUOyAYCNVfqh0EovgXwAe3KsNrOqe2Mwfk3YQ1un6V72D4m9DxD204iPguApVs0txr7EmX3iZ41hadLwCWAJ5jHV6RmRSGRu1fovnRhXinv796eQc/s1600/IMG_0805BaldPeak_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqPeaSPrTyeyvDH6ibsuZ9pJ-X4zUOyAYCNVfqh0EovgXwAe3KsNrOqe2Mwfk3YQ1un6V72D4m9DxD204iPguApVs0txr7EmX3iZ41hadLwCWAJ5jHV6RmRSGRu1fovnRhXinv796eQc/s320/IMG_0805BaldPeak_Dave.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Bald Peak. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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</span></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c903-4751-d325-fbbb412af959"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Friday of this trip we had yet another spectacular hike planned. Though I had been on the two highest peaks once before, we had a shuttle set up so that we could do a one way traverse of Rocky Peak Ridge and Giant. A large portion of this hike is out in the open with continuous views, and many think it is one of the finest hikes in the range. We also made a new friend. I had asked about shuttle possibilities on the Adirondack High Peaks forum before the trip, and as a result, we were contacted by Kevin Sullivan, a fellow Dacks enthusiast. He was interested in joining us if we didn't mind. We didn't, and it was great hiking with him. I already have tentative plans to hike with him again around Christmas when I should be in the Catskills. Anyway, the hike was indeed great, though also somewhat mellow compared to the Great Range - at least to Rocky Peak Ridge. We had a lot of wonderful views from the open ridgeline up to that point, but by the time we made the steep descent to the col beyond and then climbed up to Giant, it had started raining lightly, and the views were much diminished, though not completely obliterated. The wet rock did make much of the descent a little tricky though. The peaks of the last two days had been repeats for me, but they had allowed Peter to catch up to me, and now we both stood at 45 peaks completed. Tomorrow, if all went as hoped, we would become Adirondack 46ers!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunJolCfLsDvhBd_Zj9ZgQuWL_N1VjZ9_exBP7ux0mRViH8eYX41U7X_ke-dX_RC34gCfPpI5h3Ad-o_hy0mJEqhsBZt1nlET5c0pXp1G2Wi_kXvihOcJOBPiTzk9Cbwl5bT6c0O4AMUM/s1600/IMGP1337ladder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunJolCfLsDvhBd_Zj9ZgQuWL_N1VjZ9_exBP7ux0mRViH8eYX41U7X_ke-dX_RC34gCfPpI5h3Ad-o_hy0mJEqhsBZt1nlET5c0pXp1G2Wi_kXvihOcJOBPiTzk9Cbwl5bT6c0O4AMUM/s640/IMGP1337ladder.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet another ladder...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThFSS-1DHNMouTXV7Zeayb6hWr-IoQPCBZos6qvzkt4-V3SNZyW_wJbWsVXboKw766ZvOSMW6yo7MAv-uD3ydqGZBW8lUTPAff3qcvHYauxxpgYxt3cE2AK3N8NPWsntIWJoGNBlCcqg/s1600/IMGP1342scramble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThFSS-1DHNMouTXV7Zeayb6hWr-IoQPCBZos6qvzkt4-V3SNZyW_wJbWsVXboKw766ZvOSMW6yo7MAv-uD3ydqGZBW8lUTPAff3qcvHYauxxpgYxt3cE2AK3N8NPWsntIWJoGNBlCcqg/s640/IMGP1342scramble.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and another scramble...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0_0cVaF1CrY0zKcT7xlaaBIfq5DrrGMujhNgTvctbw9mS2ns7-3dX10YcKhAMW9eONWq5IqwILNv-8kApzD3MuxHAfrNF2_WhlJ8xYYLlr7y7L3bIJO5AVbG6KDXP_yVNs-abiJj5-o/s1600/IMGP1343ladder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0_0cVaF1CrY0zKcT7xlaaBIfq5DrrGMujhNgTvctbw9mS2ns7-3dX10YcKhAMW9eONWq5IqwILNv-8kApzD3MuxHAfrNF2_WhlJ8xYYLlr7y7L3bIJO5AVbG6KDXP_yVNs-abiJj5-o/s640/IMGP1343ladder.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and another ladder...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBmTT6-Fa8mEmK1JyjzKzqTmMbp0Vbbi4bGaqlKPUh0WHY1pKi9a3N0pAxV_QB_0DYLy94C50KPg68HOKgbR1MS0c9d0riAH6SONhrSOv36c2uxg2dD4qH0HJFQiwleDl0VplcKSJcaU/s1600/IMGP1346scramble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBmTT6-Fa8mEmK1JyjzKzqTmMbp0Vbbi4bGaqlKPUh0WHY1pKi9a3N0pAxV_QB_0DYLy94C50KPg68HOKgbR1MS0c9d0riAH6SONhrSOv36c2uxg2dD4qH0HJFQiwleDl0VplcKSJcaU/s640/IMGP1346scramble.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and another scramble...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtwAPzbhogej7_8hhyphenhyphenaqI681ZrYYwz6i1FN80ArytASXbcRQxCQbdFXmh61FvgvXFxFwUOvyHKHbjgq-0kXJ2k6tp-ZI2K-64kEW2K5Qx4q-_kFLNyCxPnmMO-EL8rPpqNKlwCF44VpE/s1600/IMGP1349almost.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtwAPzbhogej7_8hhyphenhyphenaqI681ZrYYwz6i1FN80ArytASXbcRQxCQbdFXmh61FvgvXFxFwUOvyHKHbjgq-0kXJ2k6tp-ZI2K-64kEW2K5Qx4q-_kFLNyCxPnmMO-EL8rPpqNKlwCF44VpE/s640/IMGP1349almost.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...then the goal is near.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling good on the summit of Sawteeth, the final peak in our rewarding quest. Photo by Peter Barr</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJT5kHlgupn4zt1WJEPD-jRTiIxYR9F72mRf7qv53MM-sDux0uxamZQeh9Tc_qSqVLZfr7X23_cCzaZMVLAqnnxnjUWxBnGXBrgh6sJx9iKVl-0SBeqF0fjy-zdWqnxz1ulgI7v2Br4A/s1600/DSCN9865signin-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJT5kHlgupn4zt1WJEPD-jRTiIxYR9F72mRf7qv53MM-sDux0uxamZQeh9Tc_qSqVLZfr7X23_cCzaZMVLAqnnxnjUWxBnGXBrgh6sJx9iKVl-0SBeqF0fjy-zdWqnxz1ulgI7v2Br4A/s640/DSCN9865signin-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mission accomplished! Photo by Peter barr</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c918-3bd0-79e6-53923857df79"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our final peak for this long sought after quest started out with a road walk on the property of the Ausable Club. This gated gravel road actually makes for rather pleasant, fast hiking after a week of mostly rough footing and got us to the start of the loop over Sawteeth. It was another cloudy morning, but it wasn't raining so we were still excited about what we were about to do. Soon we were headed up the Scenic Trail and began encountering a series of viewpoints overlooking the fiord-like Lower Ausable Lake and the cloud-shrouded Colvin Range above it. We would have been disappointed if the going didn't get tough. We were not disappointed. The only disappointment was that we eventually walked up into the clouds. That alone could not quell our excitement when we got to the sign starting that the summit was only a tenth of a mile away. We did our best to all three step onto the summit rock at the same time, Peter and I at that moment becoming two more among the distinguished ranks of the 46ers and Dave having caught the bug.</span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-7c7c2d34-c918-3bd0-79e6-53923857df79">
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It had been a sometimes hard, always challenging, mostly fun pursuit and the memories of it all will be with me for the rest of my life. But I am far from finished with exploring the Adirondacks and have every intention of returning many more times in the years to come. But first there are those two peaks I need in New Hampshire to complete the Northeast 115...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day2GoreWhitefaceLyonMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 1)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day3TheGreatSlideDixRangeTraverseNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 2)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day4PorterCascadeMountainsAndBelfryMountainNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 3)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day5GreatRangeTraverseAttemptNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 4)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day6BigCrowMountainNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 5)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day7TheSewardRangeNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 6)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day8StreetAndNyeMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 7)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day9BlueAndSnowyMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 8)</a><br />
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More pics of other trips to the Adirondacks:<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/AdirondacksWhitesAndGreensNYNHVT1999" target="_blank">Adirondacks, Whites, and Greens 1999</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Adirondacks2000NY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2000</a></div>
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Northeast 2004 (coming soon)</div>
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Northeast 2006 (coming soon)</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/CatskillsAdirondacksAndGreenMountainsNewYorkVermont" target="_blank">Adirondacks and Greens 2007</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhiteGreenAdirondackMountainsNHVTNY" target="_blank">Whites, Greens, and Adirondacks 2009</a><br />
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More Info:</div>
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<a href="http://www.adk46er.org/" target="_blank">The Adirondack Forty-Sixers</a></div>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-16304587266159690422013-10-08T19:35:00.000-07:002013-12-08T08:51:21.255-08:00On Becoming An Adirondack 46er! - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFDMenKxaZDcN7Iqzwy2WRdU4-ZG9aAYCb7u1dccSVSC69bS01N7PSXJtcwOOnLvobgcBt6P80fgakaegxNtWIpo3Eo7Hqgq98oM4p9BiVZi5YkohDPTQuCTBSPYU1uwjWrQpvVW97Z0/s1600/+IMGP2806+heading+for+Iroquois.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFDMenKxaZDcN7Iqzwy2WRdU4-ZG9aAYCb7u1dccSVSC69bS01N7PSXJtcwOOnLvobgcBt6P80fgakaegxNtWIpo3Eo7Hqgq98oM4p9BiVZi5YkohDPTQuCTBSPYU1uwjWrQpvVW97Z0/s640/+IMGP2806+heading+for+Iroquois.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab31-01e6-2e0c-a0ac1a5dba7e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first trip to the Adirondacks in 1999 was an eye-opener for sure. As far as Northeastern mountains were concerned, I had read much more about, and seen many more pictures of the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the mountains of Maine. I had also already hiked in both those areas, albeit only once each. I found the Adirondacks to be of a slightly different flavor, somewhat more primitive, but just as awesome. Though I now know there are plenty of exceptions, I learned that Adirondack peaks have a tendency toward long, relatively gentle approaches before finally reaching the base and then going straight up. Certainly New England has some of this too, but my feeling there is more that hikes start closer to the peaks and start out steep, foregoing the long approaches altogether. The result is that Adirondack hikes tend toward being longer. Though trails in both regions are steep, rocky, and rugged, my feeling in general has been that in New England they are more manicured and maintained. Many Adirondack trails seems more primitive and muddier. Then there are the slides, the wonderful slides. Certainly New England has slides too, lots of them - but there, in general, the geology seems to be more of broken rock and talus. When stable, this gives great footing but is tedious after some time. When unstable, the footing can be treacherous. My feeling is that the Adirondacks tend more toward smooth slabs of continuous rock, though it is certainly broken in many places too. When dry, and not overly steep, these slabs too give great footing and are a joy to walk on compared to broken rock. But when they get steep or wet, they have a treacherous quality all their own. These slides are a signature trademark of the Adirondacks, with many peaks having their slopes scarred by distinctive long stripes of bare granite that could no longer hold the forest growing atop them, and they are still occurring on a regular basis, especially in overly rainy years.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slides on Mount Colden. The Trap Dike is obvious on the left.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab48-eb2a-41fd-656546f94cc0"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The year 1999 was one of those years. Hurricane Floyd had passed over the Adirondacks a couple weeks before Tommy Bell and I arrived, resulting in several new slides and many downed trees due to the combination of rain and wind. Especially dramatic was a huge new slide on Mount Colden that left trees sticking in the ground upside down in Avalanche Pass. We climbed Wright Peak and Algonquin the first day we were there. I was in love with the Adirondacks from that first hike, especially once we set foot on the alpine summit of 5,114’ Algonquin, the second highest peak in New York. The views were amazing as we looked out over a sea of peaks, higher than all around us except for nearby Mount Marcy rising as a dramatic cone only four miles away as the crow flies. We somehow missed the herd path to Iroquois and were well down the side before realizing it, so we skipped it. But we soon had the pleasure of going through the dramatic cliffbound defile of Avalanche Pass, walking across the hitch up Matilda bridges bolted to the cliffside above the lake and gazing up the slot canyon like Trap Dike to the bare granite slopes of mount Colden. A good meal and a night’s sleep at the rustic Adirondack Loj prepared us for the next day. Plus I read something in the Loj that made me aware of the legendary Bob Marshall, something that would lead to much enjoyment on later visits. But more on that later...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclvJKjK21HptLRvwiViLfA52ypvA27jSHEXSeGeafdOoF3UMdETFTf4IwEvNGKKgZP5864fBVARco6iT-fDcwZHA4R41Cd-98wytQo5mBjxzGJP8cyd6rQaF_mIqHXoRvNCVi8VjK0gY/s1600/NE99_007WrightFromAlgonquin343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclvJKjK21HptLRvwiViLfA52ypvA27jSHEXSeGeafdOoF3UMdETFTf4IwEvNGKKgZP5864fBVARco6iT-fDcwZHA4R41Cd-98wytQo5mBjxzGJP8cyd6rQaF_mIqHXoRvNCVi8VjK0gY/s640/NE99_007WrightFromAlgonquin343.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wright Peak from Algonquin. Whiteface, Pitchoff, and Cascade are in the distance.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab56-6326-21c8-d7d84ac4bc68"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We shouldered overnight packs and headed up Johns Brook with a couple more days of adventure ahead of us. A few miles in, we dropped off extra gear at a leanto then began the long climb up to Basin. I remember that despite thinking I was in good shape, this climb really kicked my butt. Near the top it was seemingly a nonstop series of scrambles and waist high step-ups. But we rested on the summit and drank in the views, perhaps even more dramatic than those from Algonquin, and I already had a second favorite peak in the range! After lunch was the dramatic scramble up the open rock of Saddleback, supposedly one of the steepest bits of maintained trail in these mountains. The upper part isn’t really so much a trail though, as it is a scramble up bare rock with paint blazes showing the best way to go. As is often the case, I had built it up in my mind before the trip to be worse than it actually was, but that is better than the opposite. I would find that I had done the same thing on this year’s trip when we would be going down it. At any rate, it requires some care to travel and could be very interesting in bad conditions! More great views followed and soon we had our first really good views of Gothics. Gothics! What a great name for a peak, and quite possibly the best name for one in the East. It is certainly deserving of its name too, a hulking mountain ringed by great slides and cliffs, and from our perspective a steep-sided pyramid that beckoned for us to climb it. But it was getting late in the day, our progress had been slow, and we had spent too much time (or was it not enough?) on the summits of Basin and Saddleback. I hadn’t expected it to take 7 ½ hours to cover 10 miles! Discretion demanded that we leave it for another time.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saddleback and Gothics from Basin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYMYIhTaY1AZkczf_NSWmsxEMKedBT2QXFQ7KPKSP_2HszkrYv7byMS4qs57mXv3U320aMvS-dOkwqehwhflaKZeZg2mdGF6F0FasqMDClVy5XwQEquUqFgOWejczIVJAdmkHn8IWb9M/s1600/NE99_021DescendingFromBasin357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYMYIhTaY1AZkczf_NSWmsxEMKedBT2QXFQ7KPKSP_2HszkrYv7byMS4qs57mXv3U320aMvS-dOkwqehwhflaKZeZg2mdGF6F0FasqMDClVy5XwQEquUqFgOWejczIVJAdmkHn8IWb9M/s640/NE99_021DescendingFromBasin357.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy Bell descending a tricky slab on Basin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCiGnHNlHp9T0prYICcSOfMOR_bp1FTc130Z_ALbgypIbnqF_0lHQaZbkrD7RBkq0yhj-zE6ydhTqqP3e3-NUF3zjOCMoLMwCGqS5K4kzS3VmSvTrp-plzjzQQjtfJe4-zQD8dhGIFxE/s1600/NE99_023ClimbingSaddleback359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCiGnHNlHp9T0prYICcSOfMOR_bp1FTc130Z_ALbgypIbnqF_0lHQaZbkrD7RBkq0yhj-zE6ydhTqqP3e3-NUF3zjOCMoLMwCGqS5K4kzS3VmSvTrp-plzjzQQjtfJe4-zQD8dhGIFxE/s640/NE99_023ClimbingSaddleback359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up Saddleback. Photo by Tommy Bell</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab5d-a585-6722-a29b2c95e2c8"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On Day 3, we hit the trail from the leanto, earlier this time, and headed up again, bound for the highest peak in these parts. Though not without its challenges, this climb was less grueling than the last couple of days and we hit the top with perfect weather. We spent well over an hour on the 5,344’ summit of “Tahawus”, or the Cloud Splitter, as the Indians called it. If Marcy wasn’t especially difficult, the dramatic climb up the rocky crag of Haystack let us know that the norm was harder, not easier. But what a summit! Many consider this the be the best view in the Adirondacks. I was in no position to disagree then, nor am I sure I am now. The next morning we hiked out from the leanto and headed for Vermont and New Hampshire. I knew I would be back.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesome view of Basin, Gothics, and Pyramid from Haystack.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab5e-19e5-b393-c8b7f2b1a6d7"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so I was the next year. I had a couple vacation days left, so a cheap flight to Albany gave me most of four days to hike in the Dacks again. The first afternoon and the last morning I climbed the non-46er peaks of Pharoah Mountain and Noonmark respectively, both leaving me favorably impressed - especially the spectacular landmark summit of the latter. The two full days in the middle I filled with snowy, icy hikes of higher peaks. The first was a challenging loop over my remaining Great Range peaks. I had not been expecting snow and ice, and so I had not brought any traction devices with me. Once it got icy, I considered turning back, but kept easing higher and higher. Needless to say, the steep, bare rock of Gothics West Ridge was a bit intimidating with ice on it and me without crampons of any sort. I basically hauled myself up the cables anchored to the upper part, all the while desperately hoping I was not making a grave error and that the other side - without cables - would not be as steep. Fortunately for me, it was not. I was in the clouds here, regrettably missing the views from this spectacular peak. I fared a little better on Armstrong and had some views of the summit I had just been on appearing and disappearing in the blowing clouds. From Upper Wolf Jaw I had some great views of the huge, barren slides on Giant and the Dix Range, then reached the col with time for a quick climb up Lower Wolfjaw as well, before heading down to the comforts of the valley. The next day was a cold hike to the marvelous summits of Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge. It started snowing pretty heavily by the time I headed down, and my descent was less than graceful, but it had been another grand adventure. With twelve of the Adirondack Forty-Sixers under my belt now, there was no question I wanted more!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Armstrong.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nippletop through the clouds, from Armstrong.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0UCKe9vknVFqpq8IjEOr-LSsXrpo0ngyfRS4MsKA6M2DDvHcuMAqz7LstVueVB_HRu_RA9lh9yHjewbAXk5jSzVENo9ZFhMAsSgne-TOIgpFfhbc6mEhgdUrWT9C4i3PekMbTHV6LAs/s1600/NY00_025DixRangeFromRPR444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0UCKe9vknVFqpq8IjEOr-LSsXrpo0ngyfRS4MsKA6M2DDvHcuMAqz7LstVueVB_HRu_RA9lh9yHjewbAXk5jSzVENo9ZFhMAsSgne-TOIgpFfhbc6mEhgdUrWT9C4i3PekMbTHV6LAs/s640/NY00_025DixRangeFromRPR444.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dix Range from Rocky Peak Ridge.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab73-9af0-ee2f-aeadf74c5b67"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I returned again in 2004, when I had allotted four days of a larger two week trip to my now beloved Northeast, during which I did hikes in the Whites, Greens and Adirondacks, as well as in the waterfall country of the Finger Lakes Region. First up was an excruciatingly steep climb up to the open ledges of mighty Dix Mountain and its supremely dramatic subpeak of The Beck-horn, a craggy pinnacle of rock. It was simply a magnificent place to be, with blue sky and sun, and no wind - and stunning, exciting views in every direction, especially towards the Great Range. The next day was one of the harder hikes routinely done in the Adirondacks, that being up the narrow defile of the Trap Dike on Mount Colden. I chickened out at the crux twice, a narrow chimney where the route (no trail here) climbs almost vertically beside a waterfall, before encountering a group of four coming up. Two of them had done this before and were familiar with the route. They were generous enough to let me join them, and as it turned out, I had no trouble with the spot I kept turning back on. We ended up leaving the Dike for the slide too late, rather than too soon where it is dangerously steep. But instead, we ended up having to bushwhack through the trees part of the way to the summit. There was a bitter wind on top, but we found a sheltered spot to enjoy the jaw-dropping view across Avalanche Pass to Algonquin and the rest of the McIntyre Range. In the wind was a great view of Giant, Gothics, Basin, and Marcy. Day Three was a quick hike up the classic little Mount Jo before heading for the 46er peaks of Cascade and Porter. These are one of the exceptions to the long, gentle approach common to the Dacks and start out steep right away, making for a shorter, “easier” hike. It was a cold day and the high peaks, including these, were white with rime. Porter had great views, but they paled in comparison to those from Cascade. Cascade is one of those peaks like South Turner in Maine, that despite not being exceptional in its own form, brought so much majestic grandeur into view that I never wanted to leave. In fact, I sat up here in the sun, on a perfect little bench of rock sheltered from the wind for close to two hours, unwilling to avert my gaze from the hallowed peaks around me. It was like looking out the window of Heaven as I sat up here spellbound by the sublime beauty all around me in every direction, especially so looking South toward the giants of the range, Marcy and Algonquin looming above all else, the exhilarating climbs of Saddleback, Basin, and Colden, fearsome Gothics, and the peerless summit perches of Haystack and Dix. I would be on this summit again. And again! I had intended to finish this leg of the trip off with Whiteface and Esther, but opted instead for a shorter hike up the non 46er peak of Ampersand. It did not disappoint with its views of both big lakes and high peaks that I had yet to climb, including the Sewards.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXMbTAQikyLlJLrzkEjaNsNNjXLmRZMeUrjIjWi9X507SxzEtXPJYD130-7-eJCWAbC9pJwuunvYxoSVijjfFkJFxQdNHkswrN-IbIryI-EdHQ283fv7K5qcPZAj9JnJjZc9lFb29lnM/s1600/GreatRangeFromDix0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXMbTAQikyLlJLrzkEjaNsNNjXLmRZMeUrjIjWi9X507SxzEtXPJYD130-7-eJCWAbC9pJwuunvYxoSVijjfFkJFxQdNHkswrN-IbIryI-EdHQ283fv7K5qcPZAj9JnJjZc9lFb29lnM/s640/GreatRangeFromDix0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rugged Great Range seen from Dix Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQqgnmfhRSY9Up5vTIjUQUDZx_b0tyurEZTy0lokB9s1GYGAezVGtMivN9zyBdVAdB5AkqSptzzFOVF09LvMAR6K_N8azB2Rp90v4knIGLxTWfA7FNIjQHsQKC9jtWE3M-MF6yYrJyCM/s1600/AvalancheLakeBelowTrapDike0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQqgnmfhRSY9Up5vTIjUQUDZx_b0tyurEZTy0lokB9s1GYGAezVGtMivN9zyBdVAdB5AkqSptzzFOVF09LvMAR6K_N8azB2Rp90v4knIGLxTWfA7FNIjQHsQKC9jtWE3M-MF6yYrJyCM/s640/AvalancheLakeBelowTrapDike0001.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Avalanche Lake from partway up the Trap Dike.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab80-26a1-f880-6f096619ca7c"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two years passed before my next visit in 2006, but this time I was back in the Northeast for a whole three weeks of blissful hiking and peakbagging in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This time I had five days in the plans for the Dacks. The first day I did the lower non 46er peaks of Hopkins and Pitchoff, both wonderful hikes in their own right, but then it was more 4,000 Footers! First on the list was Whiteface, one of the most singular peaks in the range, looking like a steep-sided but pointy volcano from most perspectives. After a long stay on top enjoying the spectacular 360° views, I also bagged Esther on the way back down. This was followed with a rainy day hike of Phelps and Table Top. I was in the clouds atop the nice ledge on Phelps and may try it again one day. I feel no such compunction about Table Top which I wrote in my journal to be “Muddy, brushy, and not a fun climb at all to a wooded summit”. I decided against continuing on to Marcy for a second visit on such a nasty day. The next day, despite being overcast, was a glorious traverse of The Brothers with their nearly nonstop succession of views, ruining any chance of making good time. This culminated with a calf-burning climb to the top of Big Slide where I lingered for a decadent three hours in the very heart of the High Peaks, surrounded by their most impressive, most imposing peaks, smitten by their allure. And yet, it got even better! The last day was one of those magical days that I remember as one of my finest days in the mountains. Everything just clicked and fell into place. Great route, great mountains, great scenery, great weather, feeling strong and fast, no problems - just a great trek. I climbed the Macomb Slide to its namesake peak and made my way through the progression of South Dix, East Dix, and Hough. None of these are among the most dramatic in the Adirondacks, but all are rugged and steep and they all have their fair share of slides, open ledges, views, and challenging scrambles. I stayed on each briefly and relished the high ridges between. But it was from the summit of Hough, gazing up at the spectacularly sharp spire of The Beck-horn, that I decided to up the ante and turn a really good day into a really great day. I had been apprehensive about this hike from the start, wondering if I was biting off more than I could chew with its slide climb and herd paths. The urge to go UP THERE again, to what was already another favorite, was irresistible and I decided to take another bite. I was glad I did.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xnw3_UrhMJel3voCSGHoZPQ1fNWO6lgtGYJD9Ec2mB3FdlX1qy6_SPbRBsrxxXW1ryf1yNvE9vi-T_BaBAtBIhIwthnjjhABFKv8oGEQ3bi7D7Qzci9tzAhHBgor1eLwpjwiB8iR4Qw/s1600/Whiteface0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xnw3_UrhMJel3voCSGHoZPQ1fNWO6lgtGYJD9Ec2mB3FdlX1qy6_SPbRBsrxxXW1ryf1yNvE9vi-T_BaBAtBIhIwthnjjhABFKv8oGEQ3bi7D7Qzci9tzAhHBgor1eLwpjwiB8iR4Qw/s640/Whiteface0001.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rugged ridge just below the summit of Whiteface.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpeI0dZuwv4JXbOS3OlggH9xOSOeCqBbfJhQ4L1JaH_-lFxyqP9hoMYeBO4VGXrUxxS6MxDWLwPrDTGc_NKpHqxLGMg68RMlf2Ln1Yxp-lapW5K1fM-zlGQ8nIeQKFhBhrllv_TL1O7c/s1600/Beck-horn0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpeI0dZuwv4JXbOS3OlggH9xOSOeCqBbfJhQ4L1JaH_-lFxyqP9hoMYeBO4VGXrUxxS6MxDWLwPrDTGc_NKpHqxLGMg68RMlf2Ln1Yxp-lapW5K1fM-zlGQ8nIeQKFhBhrllv_TL1O7c/s640/Beck-horn0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't resist climbing Dix again when I saw its subpeak, the Beck-horn from this angle!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxbbpYwnRxJ1lgNEpnpXVykxiU20JZHGBmcI0McYrvClL1Ny53Ai2Tg3tePYtHTpL8T_7gPeqsczqGS13t7vykm1kej65UO4Bmr5TvJSVDI3NcUsjBra8aqDI4bSpNFtrmg7bv3QM6a4/s1600/Beck-hornFromDix0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxbbpYwnRxJ1lgNEpnpXVykxiU20JZHGBmcI0McYrvClL1Ny53Ai2Tg3tePYtHTpL8T_7gPeqsczqGS13t7vykm1kej65UO4Bmr5TvJSVDI3NcUsjBra8aqDI4bSpNFtrmg7bv3QM6a4/s640/Beck-hornFromDix0001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beck-horn from above, on Dix, easily one of my favorite Adirondack peaks.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-ab93-2c73-5bbd-06a94e72f546"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only a year went by before I was in the Dacks again, this time with <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a>. New York is her home state, she having grew up in Kingston at the edge of the Catskills, another range I have come to love. It was great to do some hiking here with her. The first day was in the Catskills and the last day in Vermont, but that left five more great days in the Adirondacks. Not all of our days were together, nor were all of them 46ers, but I still picked up five new ones for the list. We did a great hike up Hurricane Mountain, then the next day I got my ass kicked doing a near 20 miler for Colvin, Blake, Nippletop, and Dial. Unfortunately, I was mostly in the clouds and would like to someday do Colvin and Nippletop again. Day Three had Leanne and I going up Cascade and Porter, her first time and my second - but not my last up this great duo. I also went up pointy little Owls Head afterwards, something Leanne would do on her own the next day while I climbed Algonquin once again and also made it to the top of Iroquois. I don’t know how Tommy and I missed the herd path on that first visit, because it was pretty obvious. The top of this one made my 30th peak for the list, meaning I was two-thirds of the way done. I think this is when I really started to believe I might actually finish them in a few more years. After enjoying the awesome views for an hour-and-a-half, I headed down to Lake Colden and out, the initial descent so steep I had to laugh out loud in places. Our last day was another non-46er hike, again up the superb peak of Noonmark, one of the finest sub-4,000 foot peaks in the Northeast by my reckoning.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper and Lower Wolf Jaw from Nippletop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pitchoff Mountain from Cascade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiNJgoh_dHJh9IumtO4zP_qLHm5NMO3eU-lY-UKw_XwJQUPIWLAQuVg1kfllKHpHnLtnYT3LT-jErz20K5a26PPcLFGKGxFXZrOCZKSLTcULYygjOk7dxUFroZpgmSX2bVxlcCwNDaLg/s1600/IMGP2849+on+Iroquois.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiNJgoh_dHJh9IumtO4zP_qLHm5NMO3eU-lY-UKw_XwJQUPIWLAQuVg1kfllKHpHnLtnYT3LT-jErz20K5a26PPcLFGKGxFXZrOCZKSLTcULYygjOk7dxUFroZpgmSX2bVxlcCwNDaLg/s640/IMGP2849+on+Iroquois.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of Iroquois, Number 30 in the pursuit of the 46ers!</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-aba8-6908-49dc-bcbb2e0c79cd"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By now it should be obvious that I have a tendency to visit several areas in the Northeast on a trip if possible. Such was again the case in 2009 when I went to New Hampshire and Vermont with <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> and Tommy Bell. I think it rained (or snowed) every day of the trip except for two or three, or at the very least, the summits were in the clouds most of the time. We even had several inches of rime and high winds on Mount Washington. Regardless, we spent the last two days in the Adirondacks. Less than stellar weather made us decide to do a couple of lower peaks the first day, and we actually ended up having a great day scrambling up Catamount, and seeing some of the most amazing Fall colors I have ever seen on our hike up little 2,427’ Baxter Mountain. The next morning saw us hiking in rain, sleet, and snow as we headed for Feldspar Brook and Lake Tear of the Clouds. Luck was on our side though, and as we neared the top of the cliff and mudhole-ridden herd path up Gray Peak, we could see patches of blue sky overhead. I hadn’t expected much in the way of views from this “summit”, yet here they were, and quite good to boot. Skylight followed, and it was glorious as we looked out upon a sea of Adirondack peaks from this open, alpine summit. Then, once again, I was atop Marcy, ecstatic, like a kid in a candy store as I excitedly pointed out this peak and that peak to Dave, by now quite a few that I had been on, but many, many more that I hadn’t and someday hoped to stand atop.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK89rQo1y_qWtcZ0HctuznptEpIxwFjnKBkvdgEBIflAYFpKaWdxP2pOfvV_poxaOCK6PZU60qpyM1R4MMQgWTqfvKLeJSarIV3J10ZRbqu6g-Fr5oNJeHZcNbL3zFJ7Sw41lM-pUcQOs/s1600/PA100301muddy+trail(Tommy).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK89rQo1y_qWtcZ0HctuznptEpIxwFjnKBkvdgEBIflAYFpKaWdxP2pOfvV_poxaOCK6PZU60qpyM1R4MMQgWTqfvKLeJSarIV3J10ZRbqu6g-Fr5oNJeHZcNbL3zFJ7Sw41lM-pUcQOs/s640/PA100301muddy+trail(Tommy).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adirondack mud.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvSvnkei4aKaxb2iVyJkwWGfvEESXenk44fozuYiT99dZpA4vc-NuCZmrp_7UUl6zQVQl7-BtcH64Eo6blODE9PSiBczLs7gXYtd7txBrLtA_H_vLD-CdE873xLVJuw9MQ8orkgCFqds/s1600/IMGP5333Dave+on+Schofield+Cobble.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvSvnkei4aKaxb2iVyJkwWGfvEESXenk44fozuYiT99dZpA4vc-NuCZmrp_7UUl6zQVQl7-BtcH64Eo6blODE9PSiBczLs7gXYtd7txBrLtA_H_vLD-CdE873xLVJuw9MQ8orkgCFqds/s640/IMGP5333Dave+on+Schofield+Cobble.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave nearing the top of Mount Marcy.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-6dae52b8-abb4-a246-eeb6-0cbf8eec40d8"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It would be three years before I made it back once again, this time with my good peakbagging buddy <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/111087835550262936546" target="_blank">+Peter Barr</a> . This was a varied trip, one where we were after a number of other peaks besides 46ers, including peaks that were notable for their prominence or county highpoint status. I also did a number of peaks that would be repeats for myself, but that Peter needed for his just begun quest for the 46ers. He did have a start on them though, as he had managed to spend one day here only a month or so earlier and climbed Wright, Algonquin, and Iroquois. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On our first day, we hiked the upper part of Gore Mountain after taking the gondola part way, then drove up Whiteface just so Peter could say he had been on top. He would return to hike it and several other key peaks the next Summer. We topped off the day with a great hike up Lyon Mountain. Both Gore and Lyon were county highpoints and firetower peaks we wanted, and Lyon was also a P2K. The next day was a spectacular repeat for me - all five of the Dixes. But this time the traverse was by a new route as we hiked up the Boquet River and then up the Great Slide on East Dix, an especially fun climb. It was a rewarding, but challenging day as we got caught by sleet and darkness on the descent from Dix, with the last several miles being in a cold rain that left several inches of snow on the higher peaks. The next day was my third time up Porter and Cascade and was perhaps even more beautiful than the previous trips as we encountered both snow and rime on top while gazing down on a kaleidoscope of Fall colors in the valleys below. After getting back down, we even squeezed in a quick trip to the firetower on little Belfry Mountain. We left Peter’s truck at the Rooster Comb trailhead and got a shuttle to the trailhead at South Meadow that night in preparation for an, as it turned out, overly ambitious beast of a day. We were going to attempt a one day traverse of the entire Great Range, including Gray and Skylight along with Marcy, Haystack, Basin, Saddleback, Gothics, Armstrong, and both of the Wolfjaws - a variation of one of the great Northeast “Death Marches”. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To do this 26 plus mile day with over 10,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, we were on the trail a few minutes after 2 am., truly an alpine start in the hopes of reaching the summit of Gray by sunrise to maximize our daylight hours on the peaks. We set a modest pace with the intention of conserving energy, but even so we started falling behind schedule early, missing our goal for Gray by about a half hour. By the time we climbed Skylight and Marcy, we were even farther behind but still hopeful. A bright note was that as soon as we stepped onto the cold, windy, cloud-shrouded summit of Marcy, Peter completed all of the Highest 100 Eastern Peaks as well as all of the Eastern Fivers! By the time we reached Haystack, it was starting to clear up a little, but I was pretty sure we were not going to make it. The hardest peaks of the day were still ahead and we were way behind schedule. The back story is that Peter had broken his ankle a few months earlier in Colorado but continued to hike on it. This particular trek was taking a major toll on him and he was in excruciating pain, especially if he stepped on anything wrong. He was committed to trying to finish, but by the time we reached the junction to continue up Basin I convinced him that it was in our best interest to bail. So down to Johns Brook and out we went. Despite saving another 3,000 feet of steep climbs and descents over six or seven more peaks, we still ended up doing a 23 mile day with some 7,200 feet of climbing! Despite his taking the next rainy day off while I did a short hike up Big Crow Mountain, Peter and I ended up still doing three more days of not at all easy hiking. Day Six was a challenging hike in the Seward Range to climb Donaldson, Emmons, and the namesake of the range. Seward also happens to be a county highpoint, and not just any county highpoint, but one of the Eastern 50 Highest county highpoints. And as it turned out, it happened to be the last one I needed to complete that list. So we had another mini celebration, just as we had on Mount Marcy for Peter’s completion. Day Seven was a bit of a kick in the teeth as we made adjustments for bad weather and snow. Instead of a long, hard day for the Santanonis, we decided for a short, easy day to do Street and Nye. The hike, though only about nine miles, turned out to be anything but easy in the freshly fallen 6-8 inches of snow. It was steep, slick, and wet and took a disproportionate amount of time and effort. Our last day was a spectacular finale up the non-46er peaks of Blue and Snowy Mountains, but I had picked up five new ones and Peter had gained sixteen, not counting Whiteface which we drove up. This left me needing nine peaks to finish the 46ers, while Peter still needed twenty-seven. He would knock out nine of those on a visit this past summer, including Whiteface, Esther, Phelps, Table Top, Big Slide, Colvin, Blake, Nippletop, and Dial. Bob Marshall, a man who was well known for having done 50 mile day hikes, and up to 14 Adirondack peaks in one day had also figured prominently in this trip, as we made repeated exaggerations of his prowess as a hiker - and as a man, sometimes even getting quite ribald. Disregarding the latter out of politeness, we joked about how he had once done a Great Range Traverse with a broken leg. And about how he had a bearskin rug in his cabin. The bear wasn’t dead. It was just afraid to move!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWr4ompgydANg2jWvdspX99H1KzpcMBgUY2308OkfkM_tq5csfOw8k2ksmw7wwDQrauuZzLrtccznw5dMLyb7qC2Xal_kwu5qgUMztsNI75bd09FnfD1FUu9fCbFgJ7M2ypiLM39PPOg/s1600/IMGP8224Great+slide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWr4ompgydANg2jWvdspX99H1KzpcMBgUY2308OkfkM_tq5csfOw8k2ksmw7wwDQrauuZzLrtccznw5dMLyb7qC2Xal_kwu5qgUMztsNI75bd09FnfD1FUu9fCbFgJ7M2ypiLM39PPOg/s640/IMGP8224Great+slide.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Barr climbing the Great Slide on East Dix.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RW-kkai2Dw_6y1_IEgX6bj0qrcU0HE9DwIRHC8ACnjRuplUFfqBFqvyXTqqmzhImIEf8u_kCmvDzIYaZH1tlitGA5xvhn95Rh46onEDiZpsXnugmZkNLB_3EWyjFbhKUC-lskyfiJIY/s1600/DSCN5068_PJBarr.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RW-kkai2Dw_6y1_IEgX6bj0qrcU0HE9DwIRHC8ACnjRuplUFfqBFqvyXTqqmzhImIEf8u_kCmvDzIYaZH1tlitGA5xvhn95Rh46onEDiZpsXnugmZkNLB_3EWyjFbhKUC-lskyfiJIY/s640/DSCN5068_PJBarr.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ledge with a view on East Dix. Photo by Peter Barr</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXnwjGCnXyZfh47MnmnvUtDzPddM9vkO7fmREPfs7j4GuNeuGNpBxGyqxudBOk-jIZDkp15M_dD_XhgSoMy-m5y0E6VOzbZVONF6OlowJzqAFVfAo7nMJRn0S0lGvuNt42N1lUrfznpk/s1600/IMGP8382seasons+collide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXnwjGCnXyZfh47MnmnvUtDzPddM9vkO7fmREPfs7j4GuNeuGNpBxGyqxudBOk-jIZDkp15M_dD_XhgSoMy-m5y0E6VOzbZVONF6OlowJzqAFVfAo7nMJRn0S0lGvuNt42N1lUrfznpk/s640/IMGP8382seasons+collide.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seasons collide on Cascade Mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE6SLj7jObwae4PL99UfUyDEKrQeurUM8pTe-ypYbncRWGd_avf1z-jQ-bVqZSThslS4d1pDp5ip3fn13GF2PeCgR0ezhcxHg7YbO_KboaOGH2ELDiEirMlxqlwFORfZ2oWyCL9jFj38/s1600/IMGP8399herd+path.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE6SLj7jObwae4PL99UfUyDEKrQeurUM8pTe-ypYbncRWGd_avf1z-jQ-bVqZSThslS4d1pDp5ip3fn13GF2PeCgR0ezhcxHg7YbO_KboaOGH2ELDiEirMlxqlwFORfZ2oWyCL9jFj38/s640/IMGP8399herd+path.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter Barr on a typical herd path problem in the Dacks, this on the way up Gray Peak.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAyWQzSKnutw7a1RfiGDctwtPXHXaz1B_lYfOHfoUGFwDIsQXpcBv8BuGjYlVkhsTX9V2Y1k0rP4xq_dvoRf9c8oFgiICg1PbVXnkap0oDroUtL9-5deFw3SXiM4L4V2D_3wz6l_z6CU/s1600/IMGP8411list+completion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAyWQzSKnutw7a1RfiGDctwtPXHXaz1B_lYfOHfoUGFwDIsQXpcBv8BuGjYlVkhsTX9V2Y1k0rP4xq_dvoRf9c8oFgiICg1PbVXnkap0oDroUtL9-5deFw3SXiM4L4V2D_3wz6l_z6CU/s640/IMGP8411list+completion.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few other lists were completed along the way while doing the 46ers. Among them, Peter Barr completed the Eastern Highest 100 Peaks atop Mount Marcy. I finished the Eastern 50 Highest County Highpoints on Seward and the New York P2Ks on Santanoni.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUFnsgCwwmyCkkIs_ULvPsazZd_t2YN6_fJPodNT1XOSV2fa1TGFDoO7Q85lnODC4vNKFvAWEhx-MXWyuzO9L9bnF06d6DGIy5eRkNyV8Hxv2-SwCr4jn_5WFU1ckaJp1vMSE-LNocIo/s1600/IMGP8470our+route.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUFnsgCwwmyCkkIs_ULvPsazZd_t2YN6_fJPodNT1XOSV2fa1TGFDoO7Q85lnODC4vNKFvAWEhx-MXWyuzO9L9bnF06d6DGIy5eRkNyV8Hxv2-SwCr4jn_5WFU1ckaJp1vMSE-LNocIo/s640/IMGP8470our+route.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naturally this way the way we went to climb the three peaks of the Seward Range!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5IZswicqDdiFSgVgF8PlFkcWHrjqIytDvuXRvXy-9HR1httNMhKCnPzlDL5jl6A3jSSVh9AUnehV3zrtaRcTcjifTEnuI4S9jtRiUs9eQpH2K7vC9Egz8DvGvaol6aCw9b3eq0TWuVY/s1600/DSCN5338improved+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5IZswicqDdiFSgVgF8PlFkcWHrjqIytDvuXRvXy-9HR1httNMhKCnPzlDL5jl6A3jSSVh9AUnehV3zrtaRcTcjifTEnuI4S9jtRiUs9eQpH2K7vC9Egz8DvGvaol6aCw9b3eq0TWuVY/s640/DSCN5338improved+view.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not all Adirondack peaks have great viewpoints, but with a little extra effort...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrgE8L21ETexfCVspJ_1AgKBsKzr-tX3BC4GKkJkHWLSpvpJGHLsh9JbVHe1WpuLcJht82yOStAg_wX_jJXt4sUVI6jMMghoQ4iJpPRDbTYmiI25aulxOI3EWtsTepoo0Xvq5KWs-zX8/s1600/IMGP8528Sawtooth+Mtns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrgE8L21ETexfCVspJ_1AgKBsKzr-tX3BC4GKkJkHWLSpvpJGHLsh9JbVHe1WpuLcJht82yOStAg_wX_jJXt4sUVI6jMMghoQ4iJpPRDbTYmiI25aulxOI3EWtsTepoo0Xvq5KWs-zX8/s640/IMGP8528Sawtooth+Mtns.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...they are usually worth climbing anyway - the Sawtooth Mountains seen with a tree assist.</td></tr>
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Part 3 will describe the most recent trip, where Peter and I both completed our quest for the Adirondack 46ers. Until then, below are more pics from the trips described here:<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/AdirondacksWhitesAndGreensNYNHVT1999" target="_blank">Adirondacks, Whites, and Greens 1999</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Adirondacks2000NY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2000</a></div>
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Northeast 2004 (coming soon)</div>
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Northeast 2006 (coming soon)</div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/CatskillsAdirondacksAndGreenMountainsNewYorkVermont" target="_blank">Adirondacks and Greens 2007</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhiteGreenAdirondackMountainsNHVTNY" target="_blank">Whites, Greens, and Adirondacks 2009</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day2GoreWhitefaceLyonMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 1)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day3TheGreatSlideDixRangeTraverseNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 2)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day4PorterCascadeMountainsAndBelfryMountainNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 3)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day5GreatRangeTraverseAttemptNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 4)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day6BigCrowMountainNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 5)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day7TheSewardRangeNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 6)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day8StreetAndNyeMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 7)</a></div>
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Day9BlueAndSnowyMountainsNY" target="_blank">Adirondacks 2012 (Day 8)</a><br />
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More Info:</div>
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<a href="http://www.adk46er.org/" target="_blank">The Adirondack Forty-Sixers</a></div>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-86885133446500362102013-10-07T04:23:00.000-07:002013-12-08T08:51:02.405-08:00On Becoming An Adirondack 46er! - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Back in 1925, Bob Marshall, his brother George, and their friend and guide Herbert Clark climbed to the top of Mount Emmons. By doing so, they became the first people to climb all 46 Adirondack peaks above 4,000 feet in elevation. They couldn't have had any idea how many people would eventually follow in their footsteps and how many still continue to do so. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Climbing the Adirondack peaks above 4,000 feet has become one of, if not </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> most popular peakbagging lists in the U.S. At the end of 2012, the number of people who had reported climbing all forty-six peaks was a whopping 7,806! I have no idea how many more people are working on the list and at varying stages of completion, but I find it amazing that so many have done this, considering how difficult some of these hikes are. While none of these peaks could be considered true mountaineering or technical climbing challenges by their standard routes - at least not during the non-Winter months - a good many of them require considerable scrambling and a certain amount of exposure. They are invariably steep, some of them hideously so. Several do not have official trails, but only well used herd paths created by the masses that often require careful attention to stay on them, and much care to safely travel. Even the best trails are often rough and rocky, muddy, and require much root grabbing, rock scrambling, and bog hopping. Most require long hikes with several thousand feet of elevation gain and corresponding loss. On top of all that, they are relatively far north and the weather is often cold and wet, a hazard exacerbated on the more alpine summits. People can and do die on these mountains. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These factors tend to negate what I personally consider a few shortcomings of the list from a peakbaggers perspective. Peakbagging lists usually (but not always) have strict criteria as to what are considered qualifying peaks. Among other things, they almost always have definitive elevation and/or prominence cutoffs, and are modified if more accurate surveys prove that certain peaks do not meet the criteria, or that other peaks do. As it turns out, four of the Adirondack 46er peaks are less than 4,000 feet in elevation and there are at least two other sub 4,000 foot peaks in the range that are not on the list, but that are higher than three of the peaks that are on the list. In addition to that, there are at least fourteen of the peaks that have less than the traditional 300’ of prominence that defines a peak, with eight of those not even having the 200’ of prominence that is more commonly accepted as the definition for a peak in the Northeast. That being said, this is a club list, and as such, can be based on anything the club wishes it to be. In this case, it is retained as a historical list, based on the same 46 peaks that were believed to be above 4,000 feet in Bob Marshall’s time and first completed by his trio. There is indeed a certain amount of appeal in that. And in some ways, the discrepancies even add a certain aura of difficulty to the list. The fact that you have to make a difficult three mile side trip on an already challenging hike to bag the lowest peak on the list, the mere 3,792’ summit of viewless Couchsachraga, makes it seem more daunting rather than less. Most people end up dreading the thought of the effort they are going to have to expend for a peak that realistically shouldn’t even be on the list. Even so, I don’t really understand how a summit like Nye, with only 98’ of prominence, was ever considered to be a true peak, regardless of its elevation - only 3,854’ as it turns out. But it isn’t by any means easy to get to either.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So why do this in the first place then? It was sometime in the early or mid-nineties when I first started to become interested in the Adirondacks, and I made my first visit in 1999 with my friend Tommy Bell. There was no denying that I was immediately hooked! These mountains were (and are) spectacular, not to mention challenging and fun. I knew I would return. And so I did, thus far another eight times over the course of the fourteen years since that first trip. On all but one of those trips I climbed at least a few of the 46er peaks, sometimes repeating ones I had already been up, but also doing at least a few new ones too. At some point after the first three or four visits, I passed the halfway point and began to think that I might actually one day complete the list. What follows in the next two posts is a brief, yet sometimes wordy synopsis of each visit, with a somewhat more detailed story of the most recent trip and its successful finish.</span><br />
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<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=3E6I" width="500px"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=3E6I" target="_blank">Larger version of map located here</a><br />
<a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Content/maplist.php?lid=18" target="_blank">Adirondack 46ers map on Lists Of John</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Adirondack 46ers</span></div>
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<table style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none;"><colgroup><col width="145"></col><col width="84"></col><col width="157"></col></colgroup><tbody>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peak</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elevation</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First Climbed By Me</span></div>
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Marcy</div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;">5344</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">9-28-99</span></span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Algonquin<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">5114</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-26-99</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Haystack<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4960<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-28-99</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Skylight<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4926<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-10-09</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Whiteface<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4867<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-18-06</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Dix<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4857<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-3-04</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Gray<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4840<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-10-09</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Iroquois<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4840<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-4-07</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Basin<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4827<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-27-99</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Gothics<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4736<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-8-00</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Colden<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4714<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-4-04</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Giant<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4627<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-9-00</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Nippletop<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4620<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-04</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Santanoni<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4607<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-29-13</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Redfield<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4606<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-13</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Wright<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4580<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-26-99 (first)</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Saddleback<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4515<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-27-99</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Panther<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4442<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-29-13</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Table Top<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4427<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-19-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Rocky Peak Ridge<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4420<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-9-00</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Macomb<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4405<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-21-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Armstrong<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4400<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-8-00</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Hough<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4400<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-21-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Seward<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4361<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-11-12</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Marshall<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4360<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-1-13</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Allen<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4340<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-28-13</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Big Slide<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4240<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-20-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Esther<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4240<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-18-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Upper Wolf Jaw<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4185<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-8-00</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Lower Wolf Jaw<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4175<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-8-00</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Street<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4166<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-12-12</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Phelps<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4161<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-19-06</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Donaldson<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4140<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-11-12</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Seymour<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4120<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-30-13</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Sawteeth<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4100<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-5-13 (last)</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Cascade<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4098<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-5-04</span></div>
</td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">South Dix<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4060<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-21-06</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Porter<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4059<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-5-04</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Colvin<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4057<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-04</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Emmons<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">4040<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-11-12</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-04</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-21-06</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-04</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-2-13</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10-12-12</span></div>
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<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">Couchsachraga<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;">3820<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border: 1px solid #000000; padding: 7px 7px 7px 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9-29-13</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-511901ef-6160-a47a-a8b8-8949e52e6a75"><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Content/customlists.php?lid=18" target="_blank">Adirondack 46ers list on Lists Of John</a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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More Info:<br />
<a href="http://www.adk46er.org/" target="_blank">The Adirondack Forty-Sixers</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-75449743135319959892013-07-18T20:09:00.000-07:002013-07-18T20:09:09.959-07:00Outdoors Based Education At Muddy Squirrel, LLC<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I just wanted to take a few minutes to promote what sounds like a great new Outdoor Education School based in Troutville, Virginia. A couple weeks ago, my conservationist friend Liza Field told me about a friend of hers who is, or rather was until just recently, a teacher in Fincastle as well as being a fellow hiker and lover of the outdoors.</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5dd3252d-f4dc-1e6d-121d-cefda972da80" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to their normal studies, Tim Miller was regularly taking his kids outdoors and teaching them about the natural environment as well. Over time, he became frustrated by the SOL test score driven system that is predominant in the schools now and decided to branch out in another direction. Along with his business partner and equally qualified co-instructor Lisa Moyer, Tim and she have recently started their own outdoor education program in the mountains of Virginia.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While wanting to help teach kids the knowledge they need to do well on standardized tests, they also want to teach them practical skills, self-reliance (and teamwork), and how to think for themselves, as well as learn how they fit into their communities and the larger world, and what their impacts on that world are - using the challenges and setting of the outdoors as a classroom.</span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have children who could benefit from this type of learning, and any could, please take a look at Tim’s website </span><a href="http://muddysquirrel.com/home.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and particularly at the Mission Statement, Schedule, and Courses. They can be contacted through the website or at <a href="mailto:muddysquirrelinfo@gmail.com" target="_blank">muddysquirrelinfo@gmail.com</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEi1frUNBxKd7cju2P4YQNqY3mDjqlJ-pjyahcxWVvLf7JU8itds_JEEsDSErwGKWsDdb6-C-ZEmh-34KtJUZ3rvpK6Utgb8Bwh79WnGrB0j8lb4jwskLIl-ay6mBjfy8ZZ1jXZIzfSM/s1600/muddysquirrelwhole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEi1frUNBxKd7cju2P4YQNqY3mDjqlJ-pjyahcxWVvLf7JU8itds_JEEsDSErwGKWsDdb6-C-ZEmh-34KtJUZ3rvpK6Utgb8Bwh79WnGrB0j8lb4jwskLIl-ay6mBjfy8ZZ1jXZIzfSM/s640/muddysquirrelwhole.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-44782245074757586182013-04-26T19:59:00.000-07:002013-07-07T20:24:56.260-07:00Traversing The Mount Rogers High Country<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf-L52lu2luD2VDaURBe383cbxbqFDW717sJF9uHb7z9xmd36jv_HFNy3zf5LfKOCCpm45_MDgqI2oB-PqGth9Jy7hiNo3MGKiysAmpZKiYOYQFLINpHmFhO57VtV9KDs_2FHQm6N_eo/s1600/IMGP0242WilburnRidge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf-L52lu2luD2VDaURBe383cbxbqFDW717sJF9uHb7z9xmd36jv_HFNy3zf5LfKOCCpm45_MDgqI2oB-PqGth9Jy7hiNo3MGKiysAmpZKiYOYQFLINpHmFhO57VtV9KDs_2FHQm6N_eo/s640/IMGP0242WilburnRidge.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wow, I can’t believe how far behind I’ve allowed myself to get on this blog. I’ve got a sizeable backlog of hikes to catch up on, but at least the heat and rain have sapped my motivation lately and caused the list to stall, rather than keep growing. On the other hand, the hot weather of Summer makes this entry even more timely, because it is a place to escape the worst of the heat.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bad9-5bf2-ca2a-4a5f8561da52"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since starting this blog, it was only a matter of time until I had a chance to get back up into the Mount Rogers High Country. Though it is incredibly difficult to pick one place over all others, this is quite possibly my favorite area in all of the Southern Appalachians. That is really saying a lot! There are many reasons for that, but for the most part I can narrow it down to a few key things. It was one of the first really awesome places I went when I first started hiking, which helped get me hooked. The windswept open grassy balds, huge rock outcrops, and stands of dark and damp boreal forest are incredibly scenic. The latter is directly related to the 5,500’ plus elevations here, far higher and cooler than anything else in Virginia, and gives the whole area a distinct climate with wild weather that decidedly subalpine, and much like what one encounters in the mountains of the Northeast, often cold, windy, and concealed in the clouds. I wasn’t there, but snow, sleet, and freezing rain all occurred on June 30, 1979! It is another world, quite unlike anywhere else in the state, and I have seen it referred to in print as “a little piece of Montana set on the rooftop of Virginia”, or something along those lines. I don’t know specifically what part of the Big Sky state they had in mind, but I can say from personal experience that if it was possible to set Wilburn Ridge down in the western foothills of the Wind River Range, near the town of Pinedale in Wyoming, it would blend right in. A dense network of trails and abundant, dramatic views are yet another draw for me. Then there are the “wild” ponies, awesome rhododendron displays in June, acres of blueberries in August, frequent and impressive snowfalls and rime accumulations in Winter. Being close to home and readily accessible doesn’t hurt either. All taken together, even though the “High Country” here is certainly not the most dramatic area I have ever been, it is probably more responsible than any other single place for having nourished my love of the mountains, and will always be a special place for me, no matter where I may find myself. Suffice it to say, one blog post is not going to do it justice.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNvrSAiK_IHWorhfFNLaZ83TgKSj7_7_8SfW7yqfZPGRRe0W3Xwja20_oB3vG1us1MetgzMqRP4tBSPWqBVG5NxC7woi402PasAvZYoUgHATXr4QQPd7_7KBUKpzvMiTdBgEDiH4SpAc/s1600/panorama1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNvrSAiK_IHWorhfFNLaZ83TgKSj7_7_8SfW7yqfZPGRRe0W3Xwja20_oB3vG1us1MetgzMqRP4tBSPWqBVG5NxC7woi402PasAvZYoUgHATXr4QQPd7_7KBUKpzvMiTdBgEDiH4SpAc/s640/panorama1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haw Orchard Mountain (left), Wilburn Ridge, and Mount Rogers (right) seen from Stone Mountain.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bb1c-0228-7b7a-e9fac6e340be"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The area that I generally refer to as the “High Country” may be a little different from what is “officially” designated as such, but, in my mind, it is all of the terrain above 4,000’ in elevation on the massif that forms Mount Rogers and Whitetop. It does not include any of the terrain above that elevation on the nearby Iron Mountains, which are also part of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, but have little else in common to my way of thinking. Narrowing things down even more, a smaller area on the high, open ridges of Stone Mountain, Pine Mountain, Brier Ridge, and Wilburn Ridge that is near or above 5,000 feet is generally referred to as the Crest Zone, and is one of the main attractions to the whole area. This makes up the bulk of the scenic “Big Sky” terrain that these highlands are famous for. Ironically, for the most part, it is not natural. It was heavily logged and subsequently burned in the early 1900’s, and the harsh climate and poor, rocky soil made recovery a slow process. At some stage along the way, it became the scenic wonderland it is now, and the Forest Service acquired it and decided to try and maintain these open qualities with management practices such as controlled burning and grazing. It works for me!</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bb1d-8704-f5c5-20bb340b79e5"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On this particular hike, I met up with my friends <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> , <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/108061690603090309396" target="_blank">+Stephanie Petri</a> , and <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/113907352763107883068" target="_blank">+Brian Williams</a> . Stephanie had never been here before, so I came up with the idea of a nice, long shuttle hike that would hit most, though not all, of the highlights. I casually suggested that we start at the lower trailhead, hoping no one would think too much about it, and we dropped off one vehicle at the 4,460’ gap of Elk Garden, the high pass between Mount Rogers and Whitetop. Then we dropped down to the 3,600’ trailhead for the Lewis Fork and Cliffside trails. I also sort of neglected to mention that the Cliffside Trail, which we would be going up, is probably the steepest trail for any considerable distance in the High Country, but this also makes it the shortest approach to the Crest Zone from the north, getting one into open country in only about 2 ½ miles. It gets more interesting just shy of the two mile mark, when it steepens considerably, then quickly enters the lower edge of the boreal spruce-fir forest that is one of the defining features of High Country.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up at the higher crags on Wilburn Ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLWYVjx8Ytm0MBY0CnoRbPWkoTb1cSbR0x1-b9pUpx288iK0-BaLj3kFsgrNR70Wo98CJZubrCvGBZtYDeL-Pt5aF3AVZ4dYAwvs0t05hfcqK857RInxZj6UmcgTL1yfx5a2UX2Av7Q/s1600/IMGP0233wilburn+ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqyLWYVjx8Ytm0MBY0CnoRbPWkoTb1cSbR0x1-b9pUpx288iK0-BaLj3kFsgrNR70Wo98CJZubrCvGBZtYDeL-Pt5aF3AVZ4dYAwvs0t05hfcqK857RInxZj6UmcgTL1yfx5a2UX2Av7Q/s640/IMGP0233wilburn+ridge.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical scenery on Wilburn Ridge.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bb20-e8d8-f703-7dc6308b3aee"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today was a great day to be up there, a mid-Spring beauty of a day neither too hot or too cold, but just right. It was sunny and clear, with a cool breeze and decent visibility up on the high ridges. After we topped out at the upper end of the Cliffside Trail, we headed away from Mount Rogers, something Brian dryly pointed out numerous times over the next few miles as we got farther and farther away from it, as it was one of our destinations for the hike. We were out in the open with awesome views of craggy Wilburn Ridge as we followed the Crest Trail to Scales. This was once the site of an old weighing station, now gone, for the cattle that once grazed in the High Country when it was privately owned, and is now a major intersection of trails up here. We joined the Appalachian Trail here and continued through the meadows atop Stone Mountain, where the views of Wilburn Ridge are, if anything, even more austere and impressive - but still not the best. Along this leg of the hike, the rugged little summit of Big Pinnacle on Haw Orchard Mountain is also seen from one of its better perspectives. This is also one of the more exposed areas in the Winter, with little shelter from the wind for a mile or more.</span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bb21-5abe-2b4b-7f4b0e5794e9"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then we headed back into the woods for a while, dropping down to the tannin-stained headwaters of Wilson Creek, already a decent sized little trout stream at an elevation higher than all but a small handful of Virginia’s highest peaks. Near here we encountered one of the trademark bands of the “wild” ponies that roam the mountains here and help to maintain its open character. There were a couple of young foals with their mothers and Stephanie had an acute case of “cuteness overload”, one of several that occurred over the course of the hike.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stragglers along the trail.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The trail then begins its climb to the highlight of the hike, making its way through one of the best blueberry picking areas here along the way - though it was months too early for that tasty reward. That happens in August, not April. Soon after crossing Quebec Branch the trail comes out in the open once again, just shy of 5,000 feet above sea level and begins what I consider to be the finest 2 ½ miles of hiking in Virginia, as well as a strong contender for that distinction in the entire Southeast as far as I’m concerned. Others are free to disagree, but I don’t think any would be disappointed if they are here on a good day. This is now mostly open, park-like terrain with huge, rugged outcrops of pink granite (actually rhyolite), and just enough heath and small stands of red spruce and fraser fir to give it a sub-alpine appearance. The trail weaves between the outcrops at this point, but there is ample opportunity to scramble up any of them just for fun, as we did. The summit of this “little piece of Montana” looms another 500 feet above and looks very much unlike typical Southern Appalachian terrain. Even the magnificent Roan Highlands and the similar high country of the Shining Rock Wilderness lack the massive rock outcroppings found here. It is strikingly scenic, and the views only get better as you climb higher on the ridge. Soon, we were beginning to look over the top of 5,100’ Haw Orchard Mountain, the lowest of Virginia’s three ranked 5,000 foot peaks, and see the rugged peaks of North Carolina’s Amphibolite Mountains in the distance, including Three Top, The Peak, Elk Knob, and Snake Mountain among others, with Grandfather Mountain and the Roans visible even farther away. A little higher up, today, as I almost always do, we left the AT to stay on the rougher Wilburn Ridge Trail. This more spectacular route stays right on the crest of the ridge and goes directly over the next two rocky caps, and is the crème de la crème of the trek. Upon reaching the next rocky cap at about 5,300’ there is a sublime view of Mount Rogers and Brier Ridge, with Whitetop rising up in the distance, while close at hand the apex of the ridge reaches higher still in stark, rocky magnificence. There is a bit of mild scrambling on the trail, but opportunities abound for much more if you like that sort of thing. I do, and we did indulge in making the hike harder (a.k.a. more fun) than is necessary. If the weather is good, as it was today, there is no finer place to take a break and just enjoy some of the best scenery in the state.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C'mon little fella. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We continued on to the next equally high summit, which is the highest point on Pine Mountain and where Wilburn Ridge ties in to it, the view open to the north to reveal a long swath of Clinch Mountain beyond the closer Iron Mountains and across the Great Valley. This spot also looks down on Rhododendron Gap, the place to visit in early June when the entire area is shades of pink and purple with a floral display of its namesake flowers second only perhaps to the famed Rhododendron Gardens on Roan Mountain. There is another fun scramble route down from here that I have only seen one or two other groups doing before, but is easier than it looks. Naturally, we went that way and dropped down into the gap, which really isn’t much of a gap in the normal sense of the word, though the area immediately to the southwest would qualify as such. This is another major intersection of trails, with at least five ways to go, and can be confusing on a cloudbound day - especially if you have never been here. But it is a wonderful spot to be lost, surrounded by meadows, rhododendron, awesome outcrops, boreal forest, and possibly some wild ponies. Had we turned right at the top of Cliffside, we could have been here hours earlier. I took evil delight in mentioning this, but only jokingly, because had we done so, we would have missed much, including Wilburn Ridge.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High on Wilburn Ridge, looking at Whitetop rising up beyond the meadows of Brier Ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun on Wilburn Ridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scrambling and happy! Photo by Dave Socky<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian and Stephanie atop Wilburn Ridge. photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian and Stephanie at Rhododendron Gap.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another enchanting mile-and-a-quarter took us over Thomas Knob and past the A-frame Appalachian Trail shelter that makes for such a great place to spend the night, or just get out of the weather for a while. Just beyond here, we took the ½ mile spur trail that leads to the 5,729’ apex of Virginia, that being Mount Rogers. Not a bad place for Stephanie to claim her very first state highpoint! While there are no views from here, and I do sometimes lament that, the top of what was once known as Balsam Mountain, or Big Balsam Mountain, is still a delightful place, almost neon green with moss and ferns, the former covering almost everything and the latter filling in all the niches, while the smell of Christmas trees permeates the air. This is Virginia’s biggest sky island of boreal forest, and one of the biggest in the Southern Appalachians. It’s also one of the few such places that the balsam wooly aphid hasn’t nearly decimated the lovely little Fraser Firs, as is the case on the heights of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Black Mountains.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trout Lily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atop 5,729' Mount Rogers, the very tiptop of Virginia.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The scenic hits don’t end here though. After returning to the AT, there is more easy walking through this Canadian type forest to the delightful grassy saddle on Brier Ridge and its spectacular views of Whitetop, which is Virginia’s number two mountain, and an exceptional hike in its own right - as is this saddle itself if one wanted a shorter hike with a big payoff.</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--1684dad-bb3e-c828-7f7a-a9ece33297e1"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We took the Virginia Highlands Trail from here to Deep Gap, then rejoined the AT there, now back down in the hardwoods and only a couple miles from the end. But there was another treat just ahead. As we started traversing along Elk Garden Ridge, we soon entered the beginning of a long stretch of trail that was bordered on both sides by one of the better displays of trout lilies I have ever seen. As far as the eye could see through the woods, the forest floor was speckled yellow with the drooping blooms of these beautiful little flowers. Then one last open view north and south from the grassy knoll overlooking Elk Garden and we were finally done with one of the finest long walks to be found in these mountains I call home. </span></span><br />
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<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Traversing%2520The%2520Mount%2520Rogers%2520High%2520Country/Mount%2520Rogers%2520High%2520Country%2520Traverse.kml&tl=0&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.665302,-81.531321&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
The route of our traverse. To see a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Traversing%2520The%2520Mount%2520Rogers%2520High%2520Country/Mount%2520Rogers%2520High%2520Country%2520Traverse.kml&tl=0&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.665302,-81.531321&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
Note: There seems to be a problem with the default map view I have selected not showing properly. Please select the map you prefer from the drop-down menu in the upper right hand corner of the map.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqLrk6es_WaW6lJL-kMUvd-Qt9nDndkiiGE3ELzdxePIXqGHNM9DA0LglL_43i47FNQJg9SYf0dp7N3ZQRbvNgYW4GG9cExN-OpCF5NxpdjnaK3qexc3QsjYo6vCErCDADdbXVzxVddE/s1600/Mount+Rogers+High+Country+Traverse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqLrk6es_WaW6lJL-kMUvd-Qt9nDndkiiGE3ELzdxePIXqGHNM9DA0LglL_43i47FNQJg9SYf0dp7N3ZQRbvNgYW4GG9cExN-OpCF5NxpdjnaK3qexc3QsjYo6vCErCDADdbXVzxVddE/s640/Mount+Rogers+High+Country+Traverse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hike stats: 18 mile shuttle hike, 3,750' cumulative elevation gain</div>
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<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com/map?id=5J56" width="500px"></iframe>
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Map showing most, though not all, of the trail system on the Mount Rogers massif. The color coding shows all of the terrain above 4,000 feet and 5,000 feet. To see a larger version of this map click <a href="http://caltopo.com/map?id=5J56" target="_blank">here</a>. If you zoom out far enough, this map displays ALL of the terrain in the Lower 48 U.S. states that is between 4,000-4,999', 5,000-5,999', 6,000=6,700', and then all of the terrain out West that is higher than 6,700', and therefore higher than anything in the Eastern U.S.</div>
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Pictures from this <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersHighCountryTraverseVA" target="_blank">hike</a>.</div>
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Pictures from other hikes in the Mount Rogers High Country (There are no duplicate entries, these are all different hikes)<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA06" target="_blank">November 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeVA05" target="_blank">August 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighCountryLoopVA02" target="_blank">July 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/RhododendronGapVA02" target="_blank">May 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/StoneMountainWilburnRidgePeak3620VA" target="_blank">May 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA05" target="_blank">May 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrierRidgeWhitetopVA" target="_blank">January 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighCountryLoopVA" target="_blank">December 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA04" target="_blank">December 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GraysonHighlandsVA02" target="_blank">August 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrierRidgeMountRogersWilburnRidgeVA" target="_blank">July 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/RhododendronGapVA" target="_blank">June 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA03" target="_blank">May 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeVA04" target="_blank">February 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BigPinnacleAndWilburnRidgeVA" target="_blank">January 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA02" target="_blank">January 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BuzzardRockWhitetopVA" target="_blank">September 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeVA03" target="_blank">September 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersWhitetopMountainVA" target="_blank">July 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersHighCountryVA02" target="_blank">June 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopMountainVA02" target="_blank">May 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeVA02" target="_blank">January 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrierRidgeVA" target="_blank">November 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BrierRidgePineMountainVA" target="_blank">September 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GraysonHighlandsStateParkVA" target="_blank">August 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GraysonHighlandsVA" target="_blank">August 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersHighCountryVA" target="_blank">July 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersHighCountryLoopVA" target="_blank">June 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeRhododendronGapVA" target="_blank">June 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopMountainVA" target="_blank">May 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersThomasKnobBriarRidgeVA" target="_blank">February 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BuzzardRockAndWhitetopVA" target="_blank">September 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersVA05" target="_blank">August 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WilburnRidgeVA" target="_blank">June 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogers" target="_blank">April 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersVA04" target="_blank">January 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/WhitetopVA" target="_blank">November 2007</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersVA03" target="_blank">August 2007</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersVA02" target="_blank">August 2007</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MountRogersVA" target="_blank">June 2007</a><br />
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Resources:<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzVV8zdnhfcjYwODA&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topos for this hike</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzWjNjaDJCVHZUbFE&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, topos - Master Files for majority of trail system</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5302337" target="_blank">USFS Mount Rogers NRA page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml" target="_blank">Grayson Highlands State Park site</a><br />
<a href="http://www.graysonfriends.org/" target="_blank">Friends of Grayson Highlands</a><br />
<a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/MtRogersGraysonHighlands/" target="_blank">Hiking Upward post</a><br />
<a href="http://www.midatlantichikes.com/gha.htm" target="_blank">Mid-Atlantic Hikes Grayson Highlands Circuit</a><br />
<a href="http://www.midatlantichikes.com/ghb.htm" target="_blank">Mid-Atlantic Hikes Grayson Highlands 2</a><br />
<a href="http://www.midatlantichikes.com/mountrogersbp.htm" target="_blank">Mid-Atlantic Hikes Mount Rogers Backpack</a><br />
<a href="http://www.midatlantichikes.com/littlewilsoncreek.htm" target="_blank">Mid-Atlantic Hikes Little Wilson Creek Wilderness</a><br />
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Cliffside Trailhead coordinates:<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">36.69217°, 81.51954°</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Elk Garden Trailhead coordinates:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">36.64627°, 81.58332°</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span><br />
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Cliffside Trailhead<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83d9RjIIPG6GbPnWxAvqw0reFKNq1xfmp2AhXLEr3kIJWZqZtR_mqb2Em8wDvBbDHzxEL20beKf7nB5rbJLcHnxWTrnKUcj51yRzQoY8Cy0YYrHgpEiCOjtUz9jUkpG6JrvkPr7UbH4I/s1600/qrcode.14322738.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83d9RjIIPG6GbPnWxAvqw0reFKNq1xfmp2AhXLEr3kIJWZqZtR_mqb2Em8wDvBbDHzxEL20beKf7nB5rbJLcHnxWTrnKUcj51yRzQoY8Cy0YYrHgpEiCOjtUz9jUkpG6JrvkPr7UbH4I/s1600/qrcode.14322738.png" /></a></div>
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Elk Garden Trailheadcrshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-86191291484218803862013-04-20T19:56:00.000-07:002013-06-02T12:50:32.216-07:00Gentry Falls, Rogers Ridge, and Glenn Bald<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtQdhfwN3aeosikB6woCjaZ7_XA4u9w4qwZ4sBlOQe9i389EbouDU-NAce7RnHm93jrJ-PhVDitAAocyI2m3ToUZR-k3ROvXvrIb6WG3Jwr8mAOERUJIMhJnQE9Bgw8q0Daq577l-pak/s1600/IMGP0156Gentry+falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtQdhfwN3aeosikB6woCjaZ7_XA4u9w4qwZ4sBlOQe9i389EbouDU-NAce7RnHm93jrJ-PhVDitAAocyI2m3ToUZR-k3ROvXvrIb6WG3Jwr8mAOERUJIMhJnQE9Bgw8q0Daq577l-pak/s640/IMGP0156Gentry+falls.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Gentry Creek Trail is one of the lesser known gems in the Tri-State area where Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina all meet. When combined with Rogers Ridge and Glenn Bald, it makes a great, little known hike of 14+ miles with lots of creekside walking, wildflowers in the right season, a great little two-tiered waterfall, and great views from a near 5,000' peak. </span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0559-5e6a-d522-14a4001e800f"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though I've now done this hike several times, the one time I tried it with Tommy, we came in the Winter. The creek was frozen over and we gingerly walked across the ice at every one of the many crossings enroute to the waterfall, hoping not to fall through. It started snowing, and we decided against going up on Rogers Ridge that time. We were back for unfinished business today.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CEqWkEyWDtJj_-8M4OinWuSY4Cm9q__0UgzBSAc6aCbYRjj2ByVbsh1KwntaRnsCYzHoSoCDONJJd_ychPC6xDvf3cT85jP5GtPqbw-9MmoIu01rsXoWcxw0I7U9SBExRO5TrIVE7ZQ/s1600/IMGP0140crossing+Gentry+Creek.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2CEqWkEyWDtJj_-8M4OinWuSY4Cm9q__0UgzBSAc6aCbYRjj2ByVbsh1KwntaRnsCYzHoSoCDONJJd_ychPC6xDvf3cT85jP5GtPqbw-9MmoIu01rsXoWcxw0I7U9SBExRO5TrIVE7ZQ/s320/IMGP0140crossing+Gentry+Creek.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many crossings of Gentry Creek.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0562-64d1-debb-c614850c046a"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gentry Creek was running pretty full, and some of the many unbridged crossings that came in fast succession were a bit challenging to keep dry feet on, but for the most part, we somehow managed to do so. Well, at least Tommy and I did. Tonka got wet , but being a dog, she didn't seem to mind. I think there were 23 crossings of Gentry Creek in all, plus a couple of smaller tributaries!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0562-9ffe-0a9c-f33fb1fedbb6"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Along with the beauty of the stream, we were also treated to the sight of lots of Dutchman's breeches and erect trilliums in bloom. Then, after about three miles, we finally reached the reward of Gentry Falls. This two-tiered beauty is always a nice sight, although getting a good picture showing just how neat it is proves difficult. It is impossible to get both falls in without a lot of foreground clutter and the crazy tilt of the rock strata always makes the picture look crooked even though it isn't. At any rate, there are two vertical plunges here. Both are around 20 feet high and separated by about 50 feet of horizontal stream. Actually, with the creek as full as it was today, the lower falls spill over the cliff's edge as two parallel cataracts of whitewater. This may be the first time I’ve seen more than a trickle coming off the left side, and it was quite pretty.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNI_YS1h72IhiQm-HU1ECIYhY0YDuG3PTMESNHndTUPnnLm8goF4_iJl8z-BXq6HHFti8ymrjTOrYoJECuYR-2xcrfEbmkZ5WcESYEKMwRV3Rv4KTt7C9xk-vFmpdz4sNM8tzvpxF5MM/s1600/IMGP0144Dutchmens+Breeches.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNI_YS1h72IhiQm-HU1ECIYhY0YDuG3PTMESNHndTUPnnLm8goF4_iJl8z-BXq6HHFti8ymrjTOrYoJECuYR-2xcrfEbmkZ5WcESYEKMwRV3Rv4KTt7C9xk-vFmpdz4sNM8tzvpxF5MM/s200/IMGP0144Dutchmens+Breeches.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dutchmen's breeches</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0567-5d18-e9d2-f291ecdcdbaf"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The route for getting past the falls is fun too, especially the ledge/ramp that climbs above the upper falls. It is not obvious, but one has to cross the creek again right below the lower falls, then follow the base of the cliffs steeply uphill for maybe 50 yards, until reaching a notch in the clifftop that can be stepped up into. This leads back down to the creek between the two falls. The rock is sloping here, moss-covered, and very slick, so care is in order if you go down to the water's edge. It would only take one wrong step to end up going over the lower falls, and it would most certainly leave a mark. There is a great view of the upper falls from this hidden enclave though. By going uphill to the right, along the base of the cliffs at the upper falls, one comes to a narrow ledge that traverses up and back to the top of the falls, allowing them to be passed - but this is another spot you wouldn’t want to fall.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut3br1AL_piB879BpOnC_eyQ8Xeh5pobltOFE0JoxP9isIasBu0pLVaJnKpCuCBSf1Fd7J3H6aLVMdtdGW20vWruIdsjl5-cpx7B5lxCg0qT4afJPUUPHfSbog-Fdwe_fpgSS90XgP3M/s1600/IMGP0165upper+falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhut3br1AL_piB879BpOnC_eyQ8Xeh5pobltOFE0JoxP9isIasBu0pLVaJnKpCuCBSf1Fd7J3H6aLVMdtdGW20vWruIdsjl5-cpx7B5lxCg0qT4afJPUUPHfSbog-Fdwe_fpgSS90XgP3M/s320/IMGP0165upper+falls.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upper Gentry Falls</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-056d-326d-d21c-aed50859d7cc"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Above the falls, the trail is less obvious, and apparently less travelled. But after about a mile, and several more creek crossings, it finally veers to the left and climbs away from Gentry Creek and up to the crest of Rogers Ridge. The trail there is an old woods road, and at least one section of it climbs quite steeply along the spine of the ridge, eventually coming out in open meadows with a view of the final destination still a mile ahead ahead. That destination is the 4,980’ summit of Glenn Bald, the highest point on the Stone Mountain/Pond Mountain massif. Before getting there, we climbed to the top of Rogers Ridge, only 100’ lower, and with views nearly as good, though somewhat lacking to the north. We didn’t bother going to the outcrops on nearby Catface Ridge, but there are some views there that add to what can’t be seen from Rogers Ridge. However, as good as the views are from here, there is little, if anything, that can’t be seen from the higher summit of Glenn Bald. This high peak just barely misses being another Southern Fiver, with it and nearby Pond Mountain being the only two peaks between Mount Rogers/Whitetop and the Amphibolite Range of North Carolina that are even close.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW53AWgSj_aOUSUaOW-stC8jMzasUuF7dHAT1PHfwkA9jmQaRjCBpkOuZuxRKpHWUND6zGdjC6LMnwWgUMoRAwIgePEFPcVmkZQUukx9tgoc1yd56bZ2L2-N6Fth0jPYgjB5UYTeGgSnU/s1600/IMGP0174Whitetop+and+Rogers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW53AWgSj_aOUSUaOW-stC8jMzasUuF7dHAT1PHfwkA9jmQaRjCBpkOuZuxRKpHWUND6zGdjC6LMnwWgUMoRAwIgePEFPcVmkZQUukx9tgoc1yd56bZ2L2-N6Fth0jPYgjB5UYTeGgSnU/s640/IMGP0174Whitetop+and+Rogers.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitetop and Mount Rogers from the top of 4,980' Glenn Bald<br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0579-5849-423d-11b73a661f66"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Until recently, Glenn Bald’s top was private property, but it has now been bought by the State of North Carolina, and is public land. There is still a house on top, once very nice, but now badly vandalized by idiots. I have been told that one potential use for the house may be as some sort of outdoor education center. Today though, it was very windy and cold up here at nearly 5,000’, so the house made a great place to get out of the wind and eat lunch, all the while looking out the upstairs window at Mount Rogers and Whitetop. Back outside, the open top provides about a 270° panorama around the horizon, sweeping from Pond Mountain in the southeast, to Mount Rogers and Whitetop, the Iron Mountains, the distant crest of Clinch Mountain’s many peaks, then swinging <span style="background-color: #999999;">southwest to include the Bald Mountains, the Roan Highlands, Grandfather Mountain, and several peaks in the Amphibolites, the most obvious being </span></span><span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Peak, Elk Knob, and Snake Mountai</span><span style="background-color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">n.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-183215e9-0579-5849-423d-11b73a661f66"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our return route was to simply stay on the Rogers Ridge trail, parallelling the route we had followed up Gentry Creek, but several hundred feet higher until reaching the south end of the ridge, where the trail then descends back to the valley for one final crossing of the creek and the end of another great day in the Southern mountains.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rogers Ridge (left) and Clinch Mountain (horizon) from Glenn Bald.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back down the open crest of Rogers Ridge. Gentry Creek lies in the valley to the left.<br />
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<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Gentry%2520Falls-Rogers%2520Ridge-Glenn%2520Bald/Gentry%2520Falls-Rogers%2520Ridge-Glenn%2520Bald.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.564623,-81.707527&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Gentry Falls-Rogers Ridge-Glenn Bald Loop. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Gentry%2520Falls-Rogers%2520Ridge-Glenn%2520Bald/Gentry%2520Falls-Rogers%2520Ridge-Glenn%2520Bald.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.564623,-81.707527&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Note: There seems to be a problem with the default map view I have selected not working. Please select the map you prefer from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the map.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hike Stats: 14.3 miles, 2,800' cumulative elevation gain </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Pictures from this <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GentryFallsAndRogersRidgeTNAndNC" target="_blank">hike</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Pictures from other hikes to Gentry Falls, Rogers Ridge, and Glen Bald</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GentryFallsGlennBaldTN" target="_blank">October 2011</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GlennBaldAndPondMountainMountJeffersonNC" target="_blank">March 2011</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/RogersRidgeGentryCreekLoopTN" target="_blank">April 2008</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzUkU5MHQyRjFsc1U&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx, kmz, and topos</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/2013/05/gentry-falls.html?utm_source=feedly" target="_blank">Appalachian Treks blog</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://blueridgencguide.com/2011/06/14/hiking-trails-gentry-creek-falls-mtn-city-tn/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge NC Guide</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.sherpaguides.com/tennessee/upper_unakas/watauga_ranger_district_cherokee_nf.html" target="_blank">Sherpa Guides page</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://johnsoncountytrails.org/gentry.html" target="_blank">Johnson County Trails Association</a></span></div>
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Gentry Falls - Rogers Ridge Trailhead Coordinates:<br />
36.54491,-81.73866<br />
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<span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JYanfc0nUNFy9xePCMb28FYMBaYhwZZrU97pFuItR0kTHGcQp1ijtShucfb5UbzV-eqfvDDQ9yRzkn34ZabXKFhc3MyvlH4Ju54fmDgnmG8ZZiSqwREt0OKIwDY7FgKkKaRRe3S0-i8/s1600/Gentryqrcode.13895943.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JYanfc0nUNFy9xePCMb28FYMBaYhwZZrU97pFuItR0kTHGcQp1ijtShucfb5UbzV-eqfvDDQ9yRzkn34ZabXKFhc3MyvlH4Ju54fmDgnmG8ZZiSqwREt0OKIwDY7FgKkKaRRe3S0-i8/s200/Gentryqrcode.13895943.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #999999; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 12px; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-17091107570746015712013-04-14T19:54:00.000-07:002014-04-13T22:45:41.391-07:00Middle Knob And The Great Channels - Maze In The Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S4KsBgOCa7b8GeSIPGUCcDnQ_UeqLr1T2-jeHBnWBV2azoQR-oetpChKn-ouFcpdtetVn6deC_PSTyZV6MfFFnmULIxOu3oWHJylQjZu7Fj8SGAEXd64PfaCobMDK-9oHHmH4JqM90Q/s1600/IMGP0133entering+the+channels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S4KsBgOCa7b8GeSIPGUCcDnQ_UeqLr1T2-jeHBnWBV2azoQR-oetpChKn-ouFcpdtetVn6deC_PSTyZV6MfFFnmULIxOu3oWHJylQjZu7Fj8SGAEXd64PfaCobMDK-9oHHmH4JqM90Q/s640/IMGP0133entering+the+channels.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew about the existence of one of the neatest places in Virginia for a long time before I was able to actually go there, despite the fact the trailhead was only an hour away. The Great Channels are a maze-like system of 20-40 feet deep interconnected crevices between huge sandstone blocks on top of the Clinch Mountain peak of Middle Knob. They have somewhat of the feel, on a small scale, of a cross between a Utah slot canyon and a cave. The moss on the walls, and the way the light filters down between the rock walls, sometimes coloring them red, adds a distinct enchantment to this small but rather unique area.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b735d60-e31b-61dd-5d87-0e18570753ee"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I first learned about this wonderful place sometime after the Nature Conservancy bought the five thousand acre tract containing it in 2004. Even then, with TNC wanting to preserve its pristine nature, it was not open to the public until 2008, when they sold it to the State of Virginia. Information on the best way to get to the Channels was sketchy at first, and required for some exploratory hiking on my part to get to them from the one public access point in Poor Valley - and it required a 10 mile hike with 2,600 feet of elevation gain. I wasn’t even sure of just exactly where they were even located on Middle Knob.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b735d60-e333-aa69-e08b-11be021ad7c1"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've now been up there several times since that first visit, and it has become yet another favorite place of mine, well worth far more effort to get to - but the last few hikes have been much easier since the opening of a second trailhead on Route 80 at Hayters Gap, on the crest of Clinch Mountain at 3,017 feet. That’s the way <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a> and I went today. It only requires a six-and-a-half mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain from here, a small price to pay for such a big reward. The new, easy route starts out on a gated right-of-way that crosses private property for the first mile or so, but then enters into Channels State Forest for the rest of the way to the top of 4,208’ high Middle Knob. The hike follows an old jeep road, presumably once used as the means of access to the still standing firetower on top of Middle Knob.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartown Mountain and Corn Valley from Middle Knob.</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b735d60-e337-2de9-71e0-8a61e8075ae3"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were a little too early for Spring wildflowers this time, so the hike up was rather uneventful until we reached the top. But there is plenty to enjoy once there. First, we clambered up onto the large rock that forms the true summit and ate lunch in the sunshine and pleasant breeze of this perfect spring day, all while enjoying the great view of mighty Beartown Mountain just a few miles to the east. This hulking mountain is Virginia’s sixth highest at 4,689’ above sea level, and its large, balsam-capped plateau is, depending on the route used, one of the more difficult peaks in Virginia to get to, or arguably even in the Eastern US for that matter. It took me three tries to first reach the top, which I have now been to four times. Obviously, it has its rewards...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVJd7XNmQ0oS16NHomxlAloCO3tbxMlJLwZJXQfl9E12VjQa29t3Ux1orzY74bSWgAyasf0MhHmleIzfA-YmqZAcfY988Rd99dzFd_CcqxO8DoQ73X_RUR31HQFoxaxvKueZCMoxuSAc/s1600/IMGP0102Rogers+and+Whitetop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVJd7XNmQ0oS16NHomxlAloCO3tbxMlJLwZJXQfl9E12VjQa29t3Ux1orzY74bSWgAyasf0MhHmleIzfA-YmqZAcfY988Rd99dzFd_CcqxO8DoQ73X_RUR31HQFoxaxvKueZCMoxuSAc/s320/IMGP0102Rogers+and+Whitetop.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia's two highest peaks in the distance.</td></tr>
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<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b735d60-e33b-ecd8-7aa1-09eb80c9dd27"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The next attraction is the retired, but still standing firetower. It is in desperate need of refurbishing to be safe, and hopefully that will eventually happen, rather than it being dismantled - a fate that has befallen far, far too many of these magical houses in the sky. I can’t recommend climbing the tower, as the lower flight of stairs has been removed, and the rest look none too safe. That said though, I must admit that I couldn’t resist the urge to carefully make my way up above the trees to take in the jaw-dropping 360° panorama that it allows. On a clear day, the number of peaks in view is staggering. Besides the aforementioned Beartown Mountain and other peaks on the crest of Clinch Mountain, there are also notable prospects of Big A Mountain, River Mountain, House and Barn Mountain, numerous peaks in the rugged Amphibolite Range of North Carolina, as well as distant Grandfather Mountain and the Roan Highlands. The eye is also drawn towards the broad balsam-capped domes of Mount Rogers and Whitetop, towering over a thousand feet higher than anything else in the Old Dominion. After studying the horizon for a suitable period of time, I then looked down onto the top of the Great Channels only a hundred yards from the tower, their hidden passages not readily apparent from this perspective, but still beckoning for exploration.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExKKdnhaUAIpWcAi2vHjMVf4vFz3wZ0X3sAg9-fm7_UUiDGTsG4JcKQ_hjhnDyMfAG0fKf9uHwWz-idfEuAkPICyM3_GN-4mCYbSZbrcjaYVwy4K2-XtXzOjEeXGWxwYUZtrz8onxR_I/s1600/IMGP0093Channels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExKKdnhaUAIpWcAi2vHjMVf4vFz3wZ0X3sAg9-fm7_UUiDGTsG4JcKQ_hjhnDyMfAG0fKf9uHwWz-idfEuAkPICyM3_GN-4mCYbSZbrcjaYVwy4K2-XtXzOjEeXGWxwYUZtrz8onxR_I/s320/IMGP0093Channels.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on the Great Channels</td></tr>
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<div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b735d60-e33d-ff38-4639-5738ae91a97e"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Following the short path from the base of the tower to the edge of the rocks, we turned right and downhill along their eastern edge, following the obvious route into their depths. While there are other similar outcrops spread over a larger area up here, this best, most interesting section covers probably little more than a half acre. The first corridor opens into a 50 yard long passage between forty foot high walls that vary from maybe 6-12 feet wide. But they aren’t necessarily straight up and down. In places, they curve and interlock one way or another, at times blocking the sky from view, and obviously are part of the same rock that long ago split in half and separated. Moving down the corridor, there are intersecting passages laid out like intersecting narrow alleys between buildings. Some are only a foot or two wide, and a few are too small for a person to enter, but most are of an easy size to walk through. Nearing the perimeters, the blocks become lower, and the passages lead back out into the forest, but there are enough passages to explore to occupy an hour, especially on a first visit. They may even seem a bit confusing at first, but it doesn’t take long to figure out where to go and how to get back. And it doesn’t take long after the visit to want to come back again to this enchanting maze in the sky.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvJ9QpQdjh_5yRs8jgSFJIsN6R03MyNVISSs4VmgvRzhmHy523wKumKee567Le_LiGO5uL2wk6rV9nViodWhVQHt1DklcpD9pTPnka0ljba0YzH35CRGJfr7JjyJWD7hcpNshw_GeI0U/s1600/IMGP0111tower+base.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvJ9QpQdjh_5yRs8jgSFJIsN6R03MyNVISSs4VmgvRzhmHy523wKumKee567Le_LiGO5uL2wk6rV9nViodWhVQHt1DklcpD9pTPnka0ljba0YzH35CRGJfr7JjyJWD7hcpNshw_GeI0U/s400/IMGP0111tower+base.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The base of the tower gives some idea of how the nearby Great Channels look from above, except they are much deeper.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWlxcn3r72hnNWUtcN1OTGMLJ2_SRpbs4uSiqzHzI0t-x6zPL1MErSmuBXmFRT-sZf1SBl8E0IMoKclIzgqAcRwnrvvciinjMW95Q6z0N3tVJQfB_zKjrtHma2HkcJN9qO2q2ngmeMAM/s1600/IMGP0127LeanneInChannels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWlxcn3r72hnNWUtcN1OTGMLJ2_SRpbs4uSiqzHzI0t-x6zPL1MErSmuBXmFRT-sZf1SBl8E0IMoKclIzgqAcRwnrvvciinjMW95Q6z0N3tVJQfB_zKjrtHma2HkcJN9qO2q2ngmeMAM/s640/IMGP0127LeanneInChannels.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the limited area the cover, the Great Channels have a slot-canyonesque feel to them.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4Buz75_hWki2vEXd7k0cdjBLdiEDNKpQ28lWFcTs9FZIbHK93gFvP13TN55NQ0C6dmJ-8r2Xxce8hKH8fgXR1WQOuA_M2SZjPGuSL3t9TBKpD1ji6YJoHoiY2aiDMlaRi17toHsiTCY/s1600/IMGP0137LeanneJumping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4Buz75_hWki2vEXd7k0cdjBLdiEDNKpQ28lWFcTs9FZIbHK93gFvP13TN55NQ0C6dmJ-8r2Xxce8hKH8fgXR1WQOuA_M2SZjPGuSL3t9TBKpD1ji6YJoHoiY2aiDMlaRi17toHsiTCY/s640/IMGP0137LeanneJumping.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crevice is about 30'-40' deep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Middle%2520Knob%2520and%2520The%2520Great%2520Channels/Middle%2520Knob%2520%2526%2520Great%2520Channels.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.870548,-81.963097&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
Route to Middle Knob from Hayters Gap. To see a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Middle%2520Knob%2520and%2520The%2520Great%2520Channels/Middle%2520Knob%2520%2526%2520Great%2520Channels.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=ARCGIS_TOPO_US&c=36.870548,-81.963097&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hike Stats: 6.5 miles out-and-back, 1,200' elevation gain<br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MiddleKnobAndTheGreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a><br />
<br />
Pictures from other hikes to Middle Knob and the Great Channels<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak3430MiddleKnobTheGreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">August 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheGreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">October 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MiddleKnobVA" target="_blank">July 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheGreatChannelsAndMiddleKnobVA" target="_blank">April 2011</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/MiddleKnobTheGreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">November 2010</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GreatChannelsVA02" target="_blank">May 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">July 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BeartownGreatChannelsVA" target="_blank">May 2008</a><br />
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<br />
Resources:<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzNHdjMF9kNWdCUGc&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and topo maps</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/natural_area_preserves/thechannels.shtml" target="_blank">Virginia DCR page for The Channels Natural Area Preserve</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stforest/print/Channels-brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Channels State Forest brochure and trail map (opens as pdf)</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dof.virginia.gov/stforest/list/channels.htm" target="_blank">Virginia Dept. of Forestry page for Channels State Forest</a><br />
<a href="http://tehcc.org/wiki/The_Channels_Natural_Area_Preserve" target="_blank">TEHCC page for The Channels Natural Area Preserve</a><br />
<a href="http://www.everytrail.com/guide/brumley-mountain-trail-hayters-gap-to-great-channels-of-va" target="_blank">EveryTrail.com Guide to The Brumley Mountain Trail</a><br />
<a href="http://www.tricities.com/news/article_41d4f6aa-e0aa-5499-9dc9-c04bf50da1dd.html" target="_blank">Tri-Cities.com article about Brumley Mountain Trail</a><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520and%2520The%2520Great%2520Channels%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520and%2520Great%2520Channels%2520TH_Hayters%2520Gap.kml&aq=&sll=37.535866,-79.348755&sspn=3.723939,8.453979&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.650879&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520and%2520The%2520Great%2520Channels%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520and%2520Great%2520Channels%2520TH_Hayters%2520Gap.kml&aq=&sll=37.535866,-79.348755&sspn=3.723939,8.453979&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.650879&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;" target="_blank">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Hayters Gap trailhead coordinates:<br />
36.86468,-81.94699<br />
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520and%2520The%2520Great%2520Channels%2FMiddle%2520Knob%2520%2526%2520Great%2520Channels.kml&hl=en&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&t=m&z=15" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead</a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHSf3vEJokvsm7kYPxO-O0zT9UzwDj0e57qnbdof5fE5s9ZqbqrWC-bR8A55d9k0TrhuyW-IV9MerIHxsIFsNzIKKRs4ir1Np9IcEe56HNKgi_cLnrjK_1_8KQ6gR2KJenQtw_Sp2xBs/s1600/HaytersGapqrcode.13811227.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHSf3vEJokvsm7kYPxO-O0zT9UzwDj0e57qnbdof5fE5s9ZqbqrWC-bR8A55d9k0TrhuyW-IV9MerIHxsIFsNzIKKRs4ir1Np9IcEe56HNKgi_cLnrjK_1_8KQ6gR2KJenQtw_Sp2xBs/s1600/HaytersGapqrcode.13811227.png" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #999999; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span>
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crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-60427508554752029042013-04-13T19:07:00.000-07:002014-04-13T22:43:39.309-07:00Chestnut Ridge - Lonely Mountain Meadows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAMbfZ6aQwH-nomFa0jMpYKs4_VIf56y7rNf_a8N2CSk4BKlHjkLIU7GXUxiCxfsJVmJ6bTlGBsjzuiXftXL9mUw5As5ouAycDi2ICo-bF0c_GWt-MOA5Ukm5i1r1NOy1NWFgRKZjuVk/s1600/IMGP0085west+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAMbfZ6aQwH-nomFa0jMpYKs4_VIf56y7rNf_a8N2CSk4BKlHjkLIU7GXUxiCxfsJVmJ6bTlGBsjzuiXftXL9mUw5As5ouAycDi2ICo-bF0c_GWt-MOA5Ukm5i1r1NOy1NWFgRKZjuVk/s640/IMGP0085west+view.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-04ca-dcb1-521117489b66" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It’s
hard to believe that such a nice spot on the Appalachian Trail as
Chestnut Ridge is so lonely - not that I mind though. I kind of like it
that way. I’ve been up there well over 60 times now, yes 60, but outside
the peak of thru-hiker traffic I’ve rarely seen more than one or two
people up there, and often-times no one else at all. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Besides
comparatively little publicity, part of the reason for this lack of
people is undoubtedly that it is relatively remote. The trailheads from
the north (actually east) are on the rim of Burkes Garden, which isn’t
exactly convenient from most of the main roads in the region. And one of
the roads in to the Poor Valley trailhead on the south side has a hint
of a third world feel to it, thanks a narrow dirt road with hairpin
turns on a steep mountainside, with no guard rails and little room to
pass another vehicle. For a while, a section of it had even slid away a
few years ago, and that only added to the feeling. Even now, I’m always
glad to get that section behind me. But this is also my favorite place
to start the hike from, as I did today.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
trail starts off steep, eases up, steepens again, then moderates for
the first 2 ½ miles to the ridgeline. This is a woods walk and is the
price of admission to the great hiking above. Right before that second
steep section is also one of my pet peeves about Appalachian Trail
reroutes. There was a spot here where the level trail then climbed
uphill at a modest grade to gain maybe 10 feet in elevation over a
distance of perhaps 35 yards, before dropping off 6 feet of that gain
over about 20 yards. It was a minor bump by any standard and
insignificant compared to the steep section immediately ahead. But a 100
yard long section of brand new trail was built to sidehill around this
tiny bump to end up at the same spot, saving a mere 6 feet of climbing.
In the big scheme of things, it probably didn’t cost much, but there was
labor and money for this while other trails go unmaintained or
abandoned. I follow the new trail on the way down, but never on the way
up, not that it makes any difference to anyone but me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b9-445f-46e5-96163afa52b0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once
the crest of Chestnut Ridge is gained, the trail immediately comes out
into a small meadow, and two more miles of easy strolling follow. The
views are limited here, but hint at what lies ahead. After briefly
re-entering the woods, the trail comes out in the open again near a
small pond. As the trail climbs, there are good views to the south and
west near here, but the best is still ahead. The trail goes into the
woods once again, then emerges into a long, beautiful meadow with
magnificent views, and the trail traverses its entire length. The
scenery is great all the way through this clearing, but my favorite spot
is about 300 yards before it enters the woods again, atop a small rise I
like to refer to as “The Grassy Knoll”. The panorama here is more or
less a 270° arc not counting the remainder of the still rising
ridgeline, which, of course limits the view in that direction. To the
south is the long ridgeline of Walker Mountain, with Glade Mountain, the
Iron Mountains, and the Mount Rogers High Country beyond. More to the
southeast, Sand Mountain is visible, which lets me know where home is.
Southwest and west are Brushy Mountain, other high peaks on Clinch
Mountain, and the cliffbound crest of Morris Knob. Finally, to the
north, and much closer, is the spruce-capped top of Garden Mountain,
a.k.a. Balsam Beartown. After the high peaks on the Mount Rogers massif,
this 4,710’ peak is the sixth highest ranked summit in the state.
Getting to it can be difficult if you don’t know the best approaches,
but also an adventure with a high elevation bog and some great views
nearby.</span></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk8LNXRQD5pnX0P0zDil1_lX-vTQmVvYPM4O8J9i8ROoVUEVKlv_P0GjDmP2SvN0SU-8Gej63glusW8zpzSqbgvmmneVXWEbLPmfx7KehCmTlhi_KOB8WXSc_nLqucGmMPUBcZOU3d98/s1600/IMGP0043Rogers+and+Whitetop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk8LNXRQD5pnX0P0zDil1_lX-vTQmVvYPM4O8J9i8ROoVUEVKlv_P0GjDmP2SvN0SU-8Gej63glusW8zpzSqbgvmmneVXWEbLPmfx7KehCmTlhi_KOB8WXSc_nLqucGmMPUBcZOU3d98/s400/IMGP0043Rogers+and+Whitetop.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Looking south towards Mount Rogers and Whitetop, looming over a thousand feet higher than anything else in Virginia.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b9-445f-46e5-96163afa52b0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIzhGDd6SE2c-ldDsn85g-ipZKOZMUeZy3opWOZNf9FLT9IqnmHXc6guHmYqZpZYfySoa2xFzrqz8Hc4zqsmjRSpjLw0jgbKOReUy1_vOVHsqorEu47UVRiiXDGMy7einkEV-TY4Z2VE/s1600/IMGP0083PeaksOnClinchAndKnobMtns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIzhGDd6SE2c-ldDsn85g-ipZKOZMUeZy3opWOZNf9FLT9IqnmHXc6guHmYqZpZYfySoa2xFzrqz8Hc4zqsmjRSpjLw0jgbKOReUy1_vOVHsqorEu47UVRiiXDGMy7einkEV-TY4Z2VE/s400/IMGP0083PeaksOnClinchAndKnobMtns.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Peaks on Clinch and Knob Mountains.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHqZv3yl8eJ4-muqN512RDkguIlZLfQRvpzXyBYqZ7UkN0QC2XPa3XyHT8ZlxegIqsuFs5OIhjtp7OXOOk-F4PGK3q29bp-d7psBcGji0bA_KLz6mf9C6Uw3A3j8g9H_P6kla3mZl88M/s1600/IMGP0061shelter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHqZv3yl8eJ4-muqN512RDkguIlZLfQRvpzXyBYqZ7UkN0QC2XPa3XyHT8ZlxegIqsuFs5OIhjtp7OXOOk-F4PGK3q29bp-d7psBcGji0bA_KLz6mf9C6Uw3A3j8g9H_P6kla3mZl88M/s400/IMGP0061shelter.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The AT shelter atop Chestnut Knob</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVpnVuWaQM8KeaU4mTFabjnpZ7WyMXBH-zwp66zRD4JcrUcsIjHm2xiS6C_EW_WTYevv_BayAxMUt7c2NjI5R_Vy1L2_iAzxZdCjJuwugcYxCLaUEJnShz5E-Xk1CNCfhfuyr2hIIOMg/s1600/panorama+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVpnVuWaQM8KeaU4mTFabjnpZ7WyMXBH-zwp66zRD4JcrUcsIjHm2xiS6C_EW_WTYevv_BayAxMUt7c2NjI5R_Vy1L2_iAzxZdCjJuwugcYxCLaUEJnShz5E-Xk1CNCfhfuyr2hIIOMg/s400/panorama+2.jpg" height="148" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The high elevation bowl of Burkes Garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjo7gPf7R0RX-zrSKwZFrHO5QAsF8NgJBAW4AHTeZeI7atxohNiXp7WHY7YvCZMsuU1_tnVeVwSEJ7GmyjNo78gTjPP_GDqArUTX5671U0CA4622oMRhY-ZD_99fn2OzeSrGVTzjDOeE/s1600/panorama+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjo7gPf7R0RX-zrSKwZFrHO5QAsF8NgJBAW4AHTeZeI7atxohNiXp7WHY7YvCZMsuU1_tnVeVwSEJ7GmyjNo78gTjPP_GDqArUTX5671U0CA4622oMRhY-ZD_99fn2OzeSrGVTzjDOeE/s400/panorama+3.jpg" height="162" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The long upper meadow on Chestnut Ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
usually hate to leave this spot for the top, but always go there anyway
because it has its own rewards. After another ¾ mile in the woods, the
trail pops out in the open again and quickly reaches the top of the
4,409’ former lookout site. Unfortunately, the tower is long gone, but
the lookout’s cabin still remains and has been converted to an
Appalachian Trail shelter. If it’s cold and windy, or raining, the four
walls and roof are always welcome. There are some views south and
southwest here, though not as expansive as those from the Grassy Knoll.
But there is one view here that the knoll does not have, and that is
into the tremendous bowl of Burkes Garden. This 4 mile by 8 mile cove is
called “God’s Thumbprint” and from above, or on a map, looks like a
huge caldera or crater, though in actuality, it is not. Completely
surrounded by Garden Mountain, and lying anywhere from 600 - 1,600 feet
below it, its surprisingly flat floor is one of the highest inhabited
valleys in Virginia, all of it above 3,000 feet in elevation. Were it
not for the one small break in Garden Mountain that allows Burkes Garden
Creek to drain out, it would not be a valley at all, but a huge lake.
It is a curious place, to be sure. On this visit, the view of the Garden
was actually something of a surprise. In the 20+ years I’ve been coming
here, the viewpoint has slowly grown up with small trees and severely
limited the view. But since my last visit, the Forest Service or PATH
club that maintains this section of the AT has reopened the vista
considerably. While it still isn’t a wide-open view, it should be good
for several more years, especially in the brown months. Despite my disapproval of some reroutes, I am always grateful when something like this gets done. Keeping the views from these mountain meadows open keeps them special - though it may not continue to keep them lonely forever.</span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Chestnut%2520Ridge/Chestnut%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.040244,-81.415708&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
<br />
Route to Chestnut Knob from Poor Valley. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Chestnut%2520Ridge/Chestnut%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.040244,-81.415708&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats: 9 miles, 2,000' elevation gain</span><br />
<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutRidgeVA04" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike </a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from other hikes to Chestnut Ridge:</span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/BalsamBeartownChestnutRidgeVA" target="_blank">October 2011 </a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutRidgeVA03" target="_blank">April 2011</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutKnobVA03" target="_blank">August 2009</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutKnobVA02" target="_blank">May 2009</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutRidgeVA02" target="_blank">August 2008</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutRidgeVA" target="_blank">October 2007</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ChestnutKnobVA" target="_blank">July 2007</a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Resources:</span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzVktOcXVmLWsyWkk&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and topo maps </a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://media.gatewayva.com/sve/specials/happytrails/pages/chestnut.htm" target="_blank">Happy Trails article about Chestnut Ridge </a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/hiking/undiscovered-hikes-on-the-appalachian-trail/" target="_blank">Blue Ridge Outdoors article mentioning Chestnut Ridge </a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=600551" target="_blank">EveryTrail.com page for Chestnut Knob </a></span><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FChestnut%2520Ridge%2FChestnut%2520Ridge%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.650879&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FChestnut%2520Ridge%2FChestnut%2520Ridge%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.650879&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;" target="_blank">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Poor Valley trailhead coordinates:</span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">37.02273,-81.4249</span><br />
<br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FChestnut%2520Ridge%2FChestnut%2520Ridge.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=14" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead </a></span><br />
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70c3-839c-99ef-0c6b38bf02fb" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-52cea2da-70b7-8b25-5c3b-f732649405d0" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
</span> </span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-37024178578396828232013-04-06T14:28:00.000-07:002013-05-27T06:41:38.527-07:00Grassy Ridge and the Roan Highlands - Fellwalking, Southern Appalachian Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBGPqOJcpbZaGKC26eD9-kk_p6jLsJoNk3_zldeC8MrSpu24uYwZw_pHDWJxx2tPp51KNgjYMAfuAIe7esGxkWwhmIot7uMlRpAs3bwnYOcPE3cXHg9PiVOFx1EAROFTpNM9ez5LlCjQ/s1600/IMGP0038Round+Bald+ahead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBGPqOJcpbZaGKC26eD9-kk_p6jLsJoNk3_zldeC8MrSpu24uYwZw_pHDWJxx2tPp51KNgjYMAfuAIe7esGxkWwhmIot7uMlRpAs3bwnYOcPE3cXHg9PiVOFx1EAROFTpNM9ez5LlCjQ/s640/IMGP0038Round+Bald+ahead.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-1dbafa1d-53d8-e4b8-00ef-a0a58b306a72" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
grassy balds of the Southern Appalachians have sometimes been given the
moniker of “Southern-Fried Tundra”, a name I rather like, but one that
is also a bit misleading. While these open crests and summits can indeed
have a somewhat alpine tundra-like appearance, they certainly are not
alpine, and are often very near even higher peaks and ridges that are
totally forested. Another term that might be justifiably used is fell.
Fell is a term used in Great Britain, especially England, for an open,
grassy mountain. While it is used as a blanket term to include their
higher mountains, which are indeed alpine, it does not imply such, and
includes lower hills that may have been tree-covered at one time, but
are now open due to the effects of clearing and grazing over the
centuries of habitation. The English are also a nation of walkers, and
one of the terms they use for hiking in the mountains is fellwalking. I
like that word too.</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1dbafa1d-540d-bd36-848b-67387fcf6e3d" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
is no better place to go fellwalking in the Southern Appalachians than
than the crest of the Roan Highlands. There are literally miles of
wide-open grassy balds and meadows here, including Hump Mountain, Little
Hump Mountain, Big Yellow Mountain, Grassy Ridge, Jane Bald, and Round
Bald. Spectacular views in every direction abound and my buddy Tommy and
I recently started at 5,500’ Carvers Gap and hiked up the Appalachian
Trail, which was still a ribbon of ice in the shade of the spruce trees
on the west side of Round Bald. After coming back out into the open a
couple hundred feet higher, we found only intermittent patches of snow
and ice on the trail and surrounding meadows, the direct sun having
melted it all away. Apparently the summits had been in the clouds the
day or night before though, because the trees had a modest coating of
rime. Though it soon started falling off as the morning warmed up, for a
while it added a magical touch to the already wonderful scenery. We had
views in every direction as we wandered over the 5,820’ summit of Round
Bald, down into Engine Gap, and up again to the top of equally high
Jane Bald.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Though
we spent the day wandering along several more miles of scenic
ridgeline, with some big ups and downs along the way, the high point of
the day, literally, was the wide open top of 6,180’ Grassy Ridge Bald
and its slightly lower, but more rugged southeastern subpeak. It’s an
easy hike to here, and we probably spent well over an hour up here
gazing around the horizon at the sea of peaks rising up from the
lowlands. With the rest of the Roan Highlands all around and close up,
even though it wasn’t as clear as it had been on nearby Big Bald a few
weeks ago, we could also see part of the Bald Mountains, the high peaks
of the Black Mountains and Great Craggies, Hawksbill and Table Rock on
the rim of Linville Gorge, Grandfather Mountain’s ragged crest, Beech
Mountain, and some of the peaks in the Amphibolite Range among others.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmyyuwpMEhbSbjuyEuM_ZB9GO8fI0yf6VD0k0uKhDEcr4x0PJ2wLc4zeWXhths71q9B_EraOWsQtWOxDDNpt2la-JYfNNx7-AL1VPagbtsY455B8rqEMcVog3EZwmyu1hhYSajpTsyJE/s1600/IMGP9939Round+Bald.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmyyuwpMEhbSbjuyEuM_ZB9GO8fI0yf6VD0k0uKhDEcr4x0PJ2wLc4zeWXhths71q9B_EraOWsQtWOxDDNpt2la-JYfNNx7-AL1VPagbtsY455B8rqEMcVog3EZwmyu1hhYSajpTsyJE/s400/IMGP9939Round+Bald.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Round Bald, looking at Little Yellow, Hawk, and Lightwood Mountains with Spear Tops, Big Bald, and Little Bald farther back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw6X6hK0Y818yTf4HGfo8NPpghNJORk3YBKP88BCxsH8CnOpIMZhXy06IY89VdGL5RzJIeozPRbJygJEnXK2yVdY-V-FrA_NtwJ3-nPnZIQPHh-rD-1cC32vAFkm_gdvhInQOdYeXpH4/s1600/IMGP9942shadows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZw6X6hK0Y818yTf4HGfo8NPpghNJORk3YBKP88BCxsH8CnOpIMZhXy06IY89VdGL5RzJIeozPRbJygJEnXK2yVdY-V-FrA_NtwJ3-nPnZIQPHh-rD-1cC32vAFkm_gdvhInQOdYeXpH4/s640/IMGP9942shadows.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing tall on Round Bald, looking at Roan High Knob.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzjcuqdZKr9qb_C6CprbP1hjB9mFiKjJo-lrRquKUWJWBWvJmSj7AeuNuNGkNBuTYOXEHKITmKqZVibMVdtR3AwU2oXwqT532GrYJBqiFBEwsbrTOp0jD_kmEkmp8olUAD8dwfNBBhcQ/s1600/IMGP9961Grassy+Ridge+ahead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzjcuqdZKr9qb_C6CprbP1hjB9mFiKjJo-lrRquKUWJWBWvJmSj7AeuNuNGkNBuTYOXEHKITmKqZVibMVdtR3AwU2oXwqT532GrYJBqiFBEwsbrTOp0jD_kmEkmp8olUAD8dwfNBBhcQ/s400/IMGP9961Grassy+Ridge+ahead.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6,180' Grassy Ridge ahead.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhPuj76r-7GpZxXMtnyuSlSPjZ2dWluyBxLOUXEhES_fS80rNjkRwQM9Lfj43y3ZDhK3rCuKYuB9kqoeSx4rdin8T8bleMnYr8oHhGTzssiWspEd2nbJy-W-B9mhBDg5SL9D_vVWLEIs/s1600/IMGP9971on+Grassy+Ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhPuj76r-7GpZxXMtnyuSlSPjZ2dWluyBxLOUXEhES_fS80rNjkRwQM9Lfj43y3ZDhK3rCuKYuB9kqoeSx4rdin8T8bleMnYr8oHhGTzssiWspEd2nbJy-W-B9mhBDg5SL9D_vVWLEIs/s400/IMGP9971on+Grassy+Ridge.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Grassy Ridge, looking at Little Yellow and Hawk Mountains, with Spear Tops, Big Bald, and Little Bald farther back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJASSqoAQbVmG9iaqp5rEqEj05chrSrFpR2vsHwRddHryytwviL0ItJ3acYLLWmMfREyf5NYribVGmfyLa9HwXzU9Q995utQCvnWQ-zPKjvVq-eh4DaG37l7C3W_rRZvhMgI84VSvW4E/s1600/IMGP9976rime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJASSqoAQbVmG9iaqp5rEqEj05chrSrFpR2vsHwRddHryytwviL0ItJ3acYLLWmMfREyf5NYribVGmfyLa9HwXzU9Q995utQCvnWQ-zPKjvVq-eh4DaG37l7C3W_rRZvhMgI84VSvW4E/s640/IMGP9976rime.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime-plastered tree on Grassy Ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzaHrzwi1gI5v9aeEL7bCLYnas8cQUGQyZIJy4NsD95iD7I1vFFH67gs0C5E5ECNWXRuRFmKOGXZRhiWyf0J9jQOGE3kdneh85SIvxJFSPKsNdemERONHkwtIOmpaIk0UUCUpNXGGTyE/s1600/IMGP9982Grassy+Ridge+Southeast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzaHrzwi1gI5v9aeEL7bCLYnas8cQUGQyZIJy4NsD95iD7I1vFFH67gs0C5E5ECNWXRuRFmKOGXZRhiWyf0J9jQOGE3kdneh85SIvxJFSPKsNdemERONHkwtIOmpaIk0UUCUpNXGGTyE/s400/IMGP9982Grassy+Ridge+Southeast.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Southeast summit of Grassy Ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHh8KUDgk9rc175HKHVsFe9oSiyobeCgbRSPtDJKTRqvWZwg1JJ5vAlCzICJ8Jr0uaJcL7b7GeIbq3JEr8Vqvi7b3b1LLd0EaHs8tT74tOO4mjxJzuqUCpVXibd7WRannOYQ7RXpFcg4/s1600/IMGP0034balds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHh8KUDgk9rc175HKHVsFe9oSiyobeCgbRSPtDJKTRqvWZwg1JJ5vAlCzICJ8Jr0uaJcL7b7GeIbq3JEr8Vqvi7b3b1LLd0EaHs8tT74tOO4mjxJzuqUCpVXibd7WRannOYQ7RXpFcg4/s400/IMGP0034balds.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balds of the Roan Highlands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw16nay6aVa7y_jzGC1jX0ku_Jz5u-QD9gaFaPvjdZP9qx9W4t8ltPym14Mk1S3FTp8aedcnr_ggBXTALsTFm5vqrjSfF0cg__rPcgPcKBgnHbQzzq8q-Ll_o0hmdZ5KQHG5VFo94tzk/s1600/IMGP0038Round+Bald+ahead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw16nay6aVa7y_jzGC1jX0ku_Jz5u-QD9gaFaPvjdZP9qx9W4t8ltPym14Mk1S3FTp8aedcnr_ggBXTALsTFm5vqrjSfF0cg__rPcgPcKBgnHbQzzq8q-Ll_o0hmdZ5KQHG5VFo94tzk/s640/IMGP0038Round+Bald+ahead.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back to Round Bald.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Grassy%2520Ridge/Grassy%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.102051,-82.093018&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
Route to Grassy Ridge. To see a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Grassy%2520Ridge/Grassy%2520Ridge.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.102051,-82.093018&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hike Stats: 11.1 miles, 3,550' cumulative elevation gain<br />
To Grassy Ridge and back only: 5.5 miles, 1,320' cumulative elevation gain<br />
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<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GrassyRidgeNC02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike </a><br />
<br />
Pictures from other hikes to the Roan Highlands:<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HumpMountainBigYellowMountainNC?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Hump and Big Yellow Mountains - June 2011 </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GrassyRidgeNC?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Grassy Ridge - February 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/RoanMountainNCTN?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Roan Mountain - June 2009</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HumpMountainJonesElkFallsNCAbramFallsVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Hump Mountain - June 2008</a> <br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HumpMountainNC?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Hump Mountain - October 2007</a><br />
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Resources<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzcElUM1BfSGNnLXM&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and maps</a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/roan-highlands/151091" target="_blank">SummitPost page for the Roan Highlands</a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/round-bald/218638" target="_blank">SummitPost page for Round Bald </a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/jane-bald/235484" target="_blank">SummitPost page for Jane Bald</a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/grassy-ridge-bald/154356" target="_blank">SummitPost page for Grassy Bald</a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roan_Mountain_%28Roan_Highlands%29" target="_blank">Roan Highlands Wikipedia page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/northcarolina/placesweprotect/roan-mountain-highlands.xml" target="_blank">Roan Highlands Nature Conservancy page</a><br />
<iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrassy%2520Ridge%2FGrassy%2520Ridge%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.030786,-79.628906&spn=6.056499,9.338379&z=6&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrassy%2520Ridge%2FGrassy%2520Ridge%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.030786,-79.628906&spn=6.056499,9.338379&z=6" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Carver's Gap trailhead coordinates:<br />
36.10645,-82.11033<br />
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrassy%2520Ridge%2FGrassy%2520Ridge.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=15" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a><br />
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<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0r1sGX5KkW-x6A6IoZl2XbImEQ2emBBuUouQP6Hd8KHbJrXptBAI_EAPofduAGbtSnOnXIZvrgHb4_gWBg6zbDNulBCjBPHvtn2UcAC2IyXzzpico6YN-V3SXhd_k5JV_P-qnoRDwgA/s1600/CarversGapqrcode.13383615.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0r1sGX5KkW-x6A6IoZl2XbImEQ2emBBuUouQP6Hd8KHbJrXptBAI_EAPofduAGbtSnOnXIZvrgHb4_gWBg6zbDNulBCjBPHvtn2UcAC2IyXzzpico6YN-V3SXhd_k5JV_P-qnoRDwgA/s1600/CarversGapqrcode.13383615.png" /></a></div>
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<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-86927188247463973812013-03-30T03:58:00.000-07:002013-05-27T07:04:28.819-07:00Dragons Tooth - The Fang of the AT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknnEKABQSWtscUjdceYtP-O36FCKOgLZYgUE1JkncE197hza2VgfoLw_Hqnqfia_Ai12Otz2IY4VKAG-KllWo3ZdAUyosHAy20q3u8LQiop9x0oeG2zxSVPSXcjPHJWgFY3OAtypDlQI/s1600/IMGP9932Dragons+Tooth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjknnEKABQSWtscUjdceYtP-O36FCKOgLZYgUE1JkncE197hza2VgfoLw_Hqnqfia_Ai12Otz2IY4VKAG-KllWo3ZdAUyosHAy20q3u8LQiop9x0oeG2zxSVPSXcjPHJWgFY3OAtypDlQI/s640/IMGP9932Dragons+Tooth.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
may have walked along the dragon's back a few weeks ago, but more
recently <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a> and I climbed up to its tooth, or perhaps more
accurately, its fang. This impressive little spire of upright sandstone
atop Cove Mountain (actually a fin, not a spire - more on that later) is
one of the so-called “Triple Crown” along this section of the Virginia
Appalachian Trail. The other two are nearby McAfee Knob and Tinker
Cliffs, and all three are spectacular destinations.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyfVE4DNzSxmnJ4o-kaUEjaOyuxDbqyEnGOFVKGmADOCVxR5tjAkznLww10zH5SzDPpaJF4xYfMUtYCDL9ZzbrEgH_KRLlRY_QMwxYY1jk8onfz0-CdehSkzNjXizz_lTX6DdSlfnRpM/s1600/IMGP9899Cove+Mtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsyfVE4DNzSxmnJ4o-kaUEjaOyuxDbqyEnGOFVKGmADOCVxR5tjAkznLww10zH5SzDPpaJF4xYfMUtYCDL9ZzbrEgH_KRLlRY_QMwxYY1jk8onfz0-CdehSkzNjXizz_lTX6DdSlfnRpM/s320/IMGP9899Cove+Mtn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cove Mountain summit and Dragons Tooth from Point 2363</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
Dragons Tooth is probably the funnest and most challenging hike of the
three, even though by our route it is the shortest. It ain’t Linville
Gorge or Old Rag, but the 2 ½ miles to the top have some of the
steepest, most scrambly terrain still traversed by the Virginia portion
of the famous Georgia to Maine trail. That last sentence is a bit of a
sore spot with me, because as time goes by, the Appalachian Trail gets
rerouted. Sometimes this is for the better, as it has gotten the trail
off of roads and into more scenic and less developed areas. But at other
times, it seems the goal is to make the trail as easy as possible, and
eliminate every steep bit possible, even if it means bypassing
significant summits and worthwhile viewpoints. I’ve had a couple of
rants about that in the past and may write a post about it here
sometime. But for the time being, I think this section of the A.T. is
relatively secure. At least I’m not aware of any intentions to tame it.
Hopefully there never are.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXVBuGfmeIWfC4Oe_q_LDVkJvm-Y9XHcQ8xUwUTnmqONKbrBTEPiskLvOWPR8TiR4UW2EMA49vEAkpFfEz8XcmIcrz_U05ZXYeZz3bmD-tv0-16I71ivUwxVWVdYidz17Y_FQ6U34fIs/s1600/IMGP9907fun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCXVBuGfmeIWfC4Oe_q_LDVkJvm-Y9XHcQ8xUwUTnmqONKbrBTEPiskLvOWPR8TiR4UW2EMA49vEAkpFfEz8XcmIcrz_U05ZXYeZz3bmD-tv0-16I71ivUwxVWVdYidz17Y_FQ6U34fIs/s320/IMGP9907fun.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This translates to "Fun Ahead!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even
without a view or a summit, a steep scramble is always fun and
entertaining, and worth doing for its own sake. But here, on the climb
up to the top of Cove Mountain, you are treated to all three. Nothing
scary or difficult, at least not to most people - but hands may be
needed for balance here and there, or to help get up a spot or two with a
big step or a little exposure.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
started at the big parking lot for the Dragons Tooth trail on Route
311, rather than where the A.T. actually starts up the mountain on Route
624. There were already a lot of people here, but nothing like there
would be later. On the way back down, we were rarely out of sight of at
least one more group of people, and even had to wait our turn at a
couple more restricted spots. The scene at the trailhead was then
reminiscent of a popular Adirondack or White Mountains trailhead. The
parking lot was full and there were cars parked up and down the shoulder
of the road for a respectable distance. However, we didn’t see many
people at first. Most who start here seem to go up the Dragons Tooth
Trail, but we took the Scout Trail to the A.T. Not too far beyond this
junction, the trail gains the crest of a ridge that leads to Lost
Spectacles Gap. But before following it, we first made a short off-trail
excursion to nearby Point 2363.</span><br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrQWm6aPjUwmiEIdA07QkgPPgzVAZpSKTd_Yc8NMve7QBpcn5aVXbBqlds3F2PFr2YDgW8AYIXYzcYrmhskHzoRdnwehvxbPO974OBQz61CoQca_8MahyphenhyphenK56fSTevEsdd1WrxTfWvDy8/s1600/IMGP9909favorite+part.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrQWm6aPjUwmiEIdA07QkgPPgzVAZpSKTd_Yc8NMve7QBpcn5aVXbBqlds3F2PFr2YDgW8AYIXYzcYrmhskHzoRdnwehvxbPO974OBQz61CoQca_8MahyphenhyphenK56fSTevEsdd1WrxTfWvDy8/s320/IMGP9909favorite+part.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps my favorite part of this hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
little unnamed, unranked summit has a rocky top with great views, and
no people even though the trail comes within 250 yards. Indeed, even
though I had seen it from higher above on the mountain every time I’d
hiked to the Tooth, I had never been to this little crag until two years
ago, when Leanne and I made the small extra effort to do so. As
bushwhacks go, it’s pretty easy, with only a few briers, and a couple of
easy scrambles between the trail and the top. There’s actually even a
bit of a faint path part of the way. The views from the top are pretty
much 360°, and surprisingly good for being only a few hundred feet above
the valley floor, looking down the length of Catawba Valley and up to
the Dragons Tooth atop Cove Mountain.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back
on the trail, it quickly gets more interesting as the trail steepens
and moves onto a narrow rocky spine known as Rawies Rest. There are a
couple of spots where a handhold is needed, at least for balance, and
there are more views - though none as wide as from Point 2363. After
crossing another minor summit, the trail drops off about 100 feet to
Lost Spectacles Gap and the junction with the Dragons Tooth Trail’s
upper end. This was one of the first really nice days of Spring, and
here is where we joined the steady progression of people headed up to
the same place. The trail stays mellow just a bit longer and passes the
spot where the trail once headed straight up a spur ridge to the top of
the mountain. I followed this route a couple years ago, and while I
enjoyed its steepness, I must admit that its lack of views and
scrambling makes this one of those cases where the new trail is vastly
superior.</span><br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbgVlrJhQkNaQ3rqgo5seamRnEIRWR24u_7cmGTK1B26KtT63-xzBA3HoXGEuaY6s7NpCtp3JWEgz2JVni0V38z3pGbcUB9ViyDEfOJ6VLy4jmuRr0Eji8nsYbWHjpYYBxKFuJdhLrLw/s1600/IMGP9913rungs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbgVlrJhQkNaQ3rqgo5seamRnEIRWR24u_7cmGTK1B26KtT63-xzBA3HoXGEuaY6s7NpCtp3JWEgz2JVni0V38z3pGbcUB9ViyDEfOJ6VLy4jmuRr0Eji8nsYbWHjpYYBxKFuJdhLrLw/s320/IMGP9913rungs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical terrain on the upper part of the trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beyond
here the trail just gets better and better, steepening up and spending
more and more time on rock. One of the neatest spots is a nearly
vertical section of narrow, stair-stepping ledges that gains about 20
feet and offers a great view from the top. This is possibly my favorite
part of the hike - it’s just exposed enough to feel a little risky, but
is fun and easy. There are a few more steep sections and even a couple
iron rungs placed in the rock to make it easier - though they aren’t
really necessary. The trail eventually passes beneath the east side of
the outcrop that forms Dragons Tooth, climbs a little more, and the fun
ends, well almost. Just ahead, it tops out on the summit of 3,050’ Cove
Mountain, where there is a great view east, even in spite of a little
warm weather haze.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
the highlight of the hike, and its namesake, is a short distance down a
sidetrail off the summit and the AT. Here, right on the very crest of
the ridgeline, are a series of Silurian sandstone fins standing tilted
upright at a nearly vertical orientation. They are at most ten feet
thick near their tops, and the tallest of them - perhaps 50 feet high on
the side you first see - is the Dragons Tooth. It drops off even more
to the steep slopes below the east side, and at first it appears that
the only way to get to the top is by rock climbing. It is somewhat of an
illusion though, because the fin slopes down to the south. By walking
around the right side, there is an easy way up to a notch in the fin and
a crevice that leads back toward the top. You can either go under a
chockstone wedged in this slot, then up, or stem up just before it.
There is ample room and “safe” seating just above the chockstone for a
great lunch and rest spot, and to take in the great 270° view that
includes McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs - the other two-thirds of the
Triple Crown. The Peaks of Otter are also visible 30 miles away and just
to the right of McAfee Knob. Getting to the very top of the tooth is a
different matter. It’s only another 30’ or so away, but it gets
intimidating quickly. The crest of the fin slopes upward somewhat
steeply and narrows down to 4’ wide or less, and it overhangs on the
west side. Few people have enough nerve to walk right up to the top. I
usually sit about halfway up, and scoot the rest of the way while
keeping secure handholds. I don’t go to the very top every time, and
I’ve only been brave enough, (or stupid enough) to stand upright on the
top once or twice and can’t say I recommend it to anyone - unless they
are letting me take their picture, of course. You can probably only
stand on the sharp end of a tooth so many times before it bites you. Not
feeling overly brave (or stupid), I didn’t stand up today. Actually, I
didn’t even go the the very tiptop, opting instead to stand and sit for a
while on a narrow ledge on the east face. But there was another guy who
climbed up after I had departed, who stood on top as nonchalantly as if
he were standing on the ground. It made a great photo op and nobody got
bit.</span><br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM5JIFsTKWmj_GfZdkwQ6pkmObblapP2lysuisgO8WVzv0gKLDA-bGxnc2wYuEoyFh_xLY32thTJw_1Tigml-I-rpzaOKp5lXeyEKLPD4EtZ0mAzgDJPmx6UKa3jV6T8ocRtNyhBDays/s1600/IMGP9922adjacent+fin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM5JIFsTKWmj_GfZdkwQ6pkmObblapP2lysuisgO8WVzv0gKLDA-bGxnc2wYuEoyFh_xLY32thTJw_1Tigml-I-rpzaOKp5lXeyEKLPD4EtZ0mAzgDJPmx6UKa3jV6T8ocRtNyhBDays/s640/IMGP9922adjacent+fin.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another upright fin adjacent to Dragons Tooth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPAbedqZSlo53wVfIzQdQE6nF_yDSobOTMPApJL4sastAyzAUAIQqUBZsbpy0IYXWBmVqnmrUDDQ_WCPvs4G3eaxAl5BRSUloYIsMSAgXqlIEwUxIKlF_aVd1pz-aNdXmD2fh4cKJ-ng/s1600/IMGP9924Catawba+Valley.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPAbedqZSlo53wVfIzQdQE6nF_yDSobOTMPApJL4sastAyzAUAIQqUBZsbpy0IYXWBmVqnmrUDDQ_WCPvs4G3eaxAl5BRSUloYIsMSAgXqlIEwUxIKlF_aVd1pz-aNdXmD2fh4cKJ-ng/s400/IMGP9924Catawba+Valley.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Catawba Valley with Tinker Cliffs (center) and McAfee Knob (right) above it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6lxJmLghpTueMkWJVq5wtOTCk3FRSqomfhtjS8_Y00kd6Gg-jwBlV2r6AzCwKlNNsp3uK4H58fXqA6qS8cK_FKDH1rGIr4YFtlm6gDpn_y5zMRA2K3F0_UY6ZaMw6r2jK8aVAV2PXuc/s1600/IMGP9934from+below.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6lxJmLghpTueMkWJVq5wtOTCk3FRSqomfhtjS8_Y00kd6Gg-jwBlV2r6AzCwKlNNsp3uK4H58fXqA6qS8cK_FKDH1rGIr4YFtlm6gDpn_y5zMRA2K3F0_UY6ZaMw6r2jK8aVAV2PXuc/s640/IMGP9934from+below.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below Dragons Tooth, on the AT.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93W_uMvRDyd0cl94qtvRgoG2VbtgFpCqg_54Z7gDyYcvMpH4b2VXVY-mi8wxgN_aqRW6dnOO1VHp_IO2sw3WnxdYFKMw988GQXBY1DWlKEC1pqZRQW8OBLn_pJIGLFL_P-NZqFmmXms0/s1600/IMGP9935fun+trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93W_uMvRDyd0cl94qtvRgoG2VbtgFpCqg_54Z7gDyYcvMpH4b2VXVY-mi8wxgN_aqRW6dnOO1VHp_IO2sw3WnxdYFKMw988GQXBY1DWlKEC1pqZRQW8OBLn_pJIGLFL_P-NZqFmmXms0/s640/IMGP9935fun+trail.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fun trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkOTivLEFuirS9hJuZPguFv4U21s1c20eoKObawRkoJe0Qx4uoI720OaO6xG3TwM53MKvYixoaQKkNKXENIFvLTLvDlgce5itGeCW52pkVvuQ3TQJHhvayxE4yUTbXfe73K3MocuY8i4/s1600/IMGP9936AT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkOTivLEFuirS9hJuZPguFv4U21s1c20eoKObawRkoJe0Qx4uoI720OaO6xG3TwM53MKvYixoaQKkNKXENIFvLTLvDlgce5itGeCW52pkVvuQ3TQJHhvayxE4yUTbXfe73K3MocuY8i4/s640/IMGP9936AT.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is the trail, my favorite part.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Dragons%2520Tooth/Dragons%2520Tooth.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.376255,-80.173491&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
<br />
To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Dragons%2520Tooth/Dragons%2520Tooth.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.376255,-80.173491&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats: 5.3 mile lollipop loop, 1,675' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA09" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from this hike </span></a><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from other hikes to Dragons Tooth</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA08" target="_blank">April 2012</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA07" target="_blank">February 2011</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonSToothVA06" target="_blank">May 2010</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA05" target="_blank">November 2009</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA04" target="_blank">April 2009</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonsToothVA03" target="_blank">November 2008</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonSToothVA02" target="_blank">November 2007</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/DragonSToothVA" target="_blank">July 2007</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources</span><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzM3VnWHZ2MG05RmM&usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">gpx files and maps</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/JNF/DragonsTooth/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hiking Upward page</span></a><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYweSJ0G-AAjoR0h4Nci992sAm4zffzyM9N1S_IDY0wyDJRBABZRw4s/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110808&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=79954&ttype=recarea&pname=DRAGONS%20TOOTH%20TRAIL%20%28FT#%205009%29%20-%20EDRD%20-%20Home" target="_blank">USFS page for Dragons Tooth Trail </a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYweSJ0G-AAjoR0h4Nci992sAm4zffzyM9N1S_IDY0wyDJRBABZRw4s/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110808&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=79952&ttype=recarea&pname=BOY%20SCOUT%20TRAIL%20%28FT#%205002%29%20-%20EDRD%20-%20Home" target="_blank">USFS page for Boy Scout Trail </a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
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Dragons Tooth trailhead coordinates:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">37.3789,-80.15606</span><br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2FDragons%2520Tooth.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=14" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></a>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FDragons%2520Tooth%2FDragons%2520Tooth.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=14" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6615456506661666" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pyqy8hanlDgN5uQ-HXJwBpfSbGY42hDEuR-AdkBcMpb0z82AghqjnB1cs2m8GvivdUue3q4be7MaxiaSLfy8MAdpOamnZPUeDttMKkYdbCHiLFg2FkfUXVl1E-aX8N3gZb7DQwdX_0o/s1600/DragonsToothTHqrcode.13239016.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pyqy8hanlDgN5uQ-HXJwBpfSbGY42hDEuR-AdkBcMpb0z82AghqjnB1cs2m8GvivdUue3q4be7MaxiaSLfy8MAdpOamnZPUeDttMKkYdbCHiLFg2FkfUXVl1E-aX8N3gZb7DQwdX_0o/s1600/DragonsToothTHqrcode.13239016.png" /></a></div>
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</span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-3960607005511132852013-03-23T15:45:00.000-07:002013-05-27T07:30:46.310-07:00Anthony Knobs and North Mountain - Caves and Cliffs<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nlRSx4s7nc09TsyIZsswh0HvYfMm51qVCiyPDTUluFB1BgGPRyQ2nYnKsDHh1xKK4tdVXWnCwH2g8NsnJ-J7Crv13exNQqAyX8cskPQYnJwjI3j5gXcVLL0FFBb-Q1JWgDzag-5AyGQ/s1600/IMG_2174_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nlRSx4s7nc09TsyIZsswh0HvYfMm51qVCiyPDTUluFB1BgGPRyQ2nYnKsDHh1xKK4tdVXWnCwH2g8NsnJ-J7Crv13exNQqAyX8cskPQYnJwjI3j5gXcVLL0FFBb-Q1JWgDzag-5AyGQ/s640/IMG_2174_Dave.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near Pete's Cave. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
had another great day exploring new peaks and new views in the
mountains of Virginia, and enjoying some old views again to share them
with friends. Today I joined up with Tommy Bell and <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> to hike
up Anthony Knobs in the Allegheny Highlands, then doing a second hike
nearby. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wanting to hike a loop over </span><a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=105672" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthony Knobs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
first, we found the road to the trailhead at the Longdale Recreation
Area to still be gated and closed for the season. This would have
necessitated an extra two miles or so of hiking on the road, but by
driving a few more miles, we were able to start at an alternate
trailhead farther south, along Sinking Creek.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApPUx8iUoA51hAk6ys1GFnjrsayRUJ9AChoW7j61MZMIWg77BLCjYwiyr6km9_sj9OLJ290fbyfPfad8B5UD989kw7bKrqTfCVov3Bf_TbUJ9vU2qCimtfYv6YgEiG3qRgkoXAKMrDc/s1600/IMGP9854Rough,Mill,Brushy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApPUx8iUoA51hAk6ys1GFnjrsayRUJ9AChoW7j61MZMIWg77BLCjYwiyr6km9_sj9OLJ290fbyfPfad8B5UD989kw7bKrqTfCVov3Bf_TbUJ9vU2qCimtfYv6YgEiG3qRgkoXAKMrDc/s400/IMGP9854Rough,Mill,Brushy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking over the Cowpasture River Valley towards Rough, Mill, and Brushy Mountains from Anthony Knobs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Only
problem was that we couldn’t find the trail we were looking for which
the map showed heading straight for the top of the mountain. We did find
a trail, but it was a hideous tangle of blowdowns and we quickly
decided we weren’t going that way. Back at the trailhead, we found what
was apparently the other leg of the loop, heading back toward the first
trailhead. We decided we would follow it and see where it went, and make
any adjustments or bushwhacks that might be required to do the loop I
had in mind. We soon turned uphill on an old woods road and seemed to be
moving onto the shorter of the two possible loops here. It eventually
turned into a footpath and didn’t seem to exactly match the map I had,
nor had it been maintained in some time - but it generally went the
right way, and I tend to enjoy following faint and abandoned trails, and
seeing where they go. Sure enough we eventually gained the crest of the
mountain and a trail sign.</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_owIOFCZHeVs_3J24jNoYK0qCSE6oT2yxJ9R-FhZh62qK9mNFgbkrGf0w8Ds1FnwmHUqPp58dxvRnwUrqu8ugnnuRcLOYifh2MMY1K1XgXy1KrRMCMr1qNW-GT6HDaNXTyPDSTW2igPg/s1600/IMGP9863steep+slope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_owIOFCZHeVs_3J24jNoYK0qCSE6oT2yxJ9R-FhZh62qK9mNFgbkrGf0w8Ds1FnwmHUqPp58dxvRnwUrqu8ugnnuRcLOYifh2MMY1K1XgXy1KrRMCMr1qNW-GT6HDaNXTyPDSTW2igPg/s320/IMGP9863steep+slope.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave on a steep slope.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
continuation towards the Longdale area was obvious, but thanks to a
blowdown, it took a little looking to spot where it headed toward the
top. After a short distance, it became a sidehill trail on a steep
slope, not a ridgeline trail as the map showed. It kept going the right
way though, and eventually ran onto another old woods road. This took us
to the edge of the National Forest boundary and private property, but
there are some views to the southwest from here, as this is the edge of
an old clearcut. The steep-sided summit cone of the 2,460’ peak is also
in view, but is just off of the National Forest. It is possible,
however, to bushwhack up to the ridgeline along the boundary line and
also get some good views to the north, towards Iron Gate, Griffith Knob,
and the mountains around Douthat State Park.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
next challenge was finding a reasonable way down. There was absolutely
no trace of a trail where the map showed one descending easterly along
the boundary line, and we didn’t want to end up in the tangled mess we
had attempted to start the hike in. Fortunately, Dave had noticed that
his gps showed a trail a little farther northeast, which descended back
to the valley. Incidentally, this trail is not on the USGS topo, the
USFS topo, nor the Trails Illustrated map of this area. But, lo and
behold, after spreading out across the hillside where it supposedly
started, we actually found it.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDo3QD2jps5Ce1_h3MLKES-U9_pZ40PnH-C4RKv7QZcNgyi-OvQp_B8Ma6kOlVKg1crKanm4-gbqexdHln9m84-RNUTWC1LH10NTmXs3v-cgJP_mx9bLsbVQJexZLBytDXNwKznt65qs/s1600/IMG_2117_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDo3QD2jps5Ce1_h3MLKES-U9_pZ40PnH-C4RKv7QZcNgyi-OvQp_B8Ma6kOlVKg1crKanm4-gbqexdHln9m84-RNUTWC1LH10NTmXs3v-cgJP_mx9bLsbVQJexZLBytDXNwKznt65qs/s320/IMG_2117_Dave.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonka getting a drink.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
upper part was faint, had a number of blowdowns across it, and varied a
bit from what the gps showed, but it was there and even had some faded
old blazes. It got a little more distinct farther down and eventually
merged onto the trail shown on the paper maps - of which there was no
sign of it continuing up the mountain. Surprisingly, and a bit
embarrassingly, it came out right at the spot we had hoped to start the
hike from, in the one spot we hadn’t looked at closely enough because
there was a large mud puddle there. It even had a piece of flagging at
the start which we had all three somehow missed seeing! But all’s well
that ends well, and we headed for the next hike.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CbPOaHWCasb2tZzE-Op4Utf7vsZWztH5znjiVmE7wRBijQPhmh2Qj4G62UHhGt0dprtS1caqoI8OOj86rmQJ9hqrg58uHZI95gNpPQLupJeLglbPILGKkenvgYc-QwHBlrQrufjS-JQ/s1600/IMG_2138_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CbPOaHWCasb2tZzE-Op4Utf7vsZWztH5znjiVmE7wRBijQPhmh2Qj4G62UHhGt0dprtS1caqoI8OOj86rmQJ9hqrg58uHZI95gNpPQLupJeLglbPILGKkenvgYc-QwHBlrQrufjS-JQ/s640/IMG_2138_Dave.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy and I atop the cliffs of North Mountain. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
had done most of this hike once before with my girlfriend <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a>, and
Tommy had also been on the first half mile or so of it with me last
year. But there is more to see, and farther to go. Big rewards come
quick, as there are several spectacular cliff-top views south and east
in the first 3/10 mile that include Big Butt, Big House and Little House
Mountains, and many peaks in the Central Blue Ridge. This is followed
by 2 ½ more miles of easy hiking on a nice ridgeline trail to an area of
massive sandstone blocks that provide more great views, one of House
Mountain from a different perspective, as well as great views north that
include Anthony Knobs and many of the same mountains we could see from
there. There are also a couple of large talus/fissure caves just off the
trail in this same area. One is more of a narrow corridor between two
blocks, open to the sky at first, with the back half under a roof and
more cave-like, with a total length of perhaps 150’. The larger one,
which we didn’t actually climb down into because of wet, muddy rock
above a 10’ drop (I know, that’s a pretty lame excuse) - and assuming it
is indeed the correct one - is known as Pete’s Cave, and supposedly has
around 400’ of passage.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeZKtfNW-NwVocLY9GnSvvOMMiEQ8WLBTuPv5IcGo1x8y-W2MOM-cN6LYGzHIZxMddDzT9h9THqj0zWPs5R0ji8ieZIBiYbwcIG-dcd06wmncdAcyNn81AZKJwt-9U_CVF1_1S_sF5sA/s1600/IMGP9877not+Petes+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeZKtfNW-NwVocLY9GnSvvOMMiEQ8WLBTuPv5IcGo1x8y-W2MOM-cN6LYGzHIZxMddDzT9h9THqj0zWPs5R0ji8ieZIBiYbwcIG-dcd06wmncdAcyNn81AZKJwt-9U_CVF1_1S_sF5sA/s320/IMGP9877not+Petes+Cave.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave in the fissure passage of "Not Pete's Cave".</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We continued a few tenths of a mile farther and made a short off-trail jaunt to the top of </span><a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104689" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Peak 3260</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, something I hadn’t done on my first hike here with Leanne. This is a so-called </span><a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/glossary.html#Rank" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">soft ranked</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
peak, because based on the contours of the topo map it has an
interpolated, or average, prominence of less than 300’, but whose same
unknown true summit and saddle elevations could very well give it an
optimistic or “dirty” prominence of over 300’. The number of such peaks
is not insignificant. Virginia has a total of 1,554 ranked peaks, based
on having a minimum of 300’ of average prominence. That is to say that
if you wanted to compile a list of every true peak in Virginia ranked
from highest to lowest, you would have a list that started with 5,729’
Mount Rogers in the #1 spot and 791’ Mount Pony at the end of the list
at #1554. Wilburn Ridge, at 5,540’ is ostensibly the #3 peak , but it
only has 160’ of prominence - a minor bump, not a peak - so it doesn’t
count. However, there are an additional 169 of these “soft” ranked peaks
that don’t fall within those rankings - but quite possibly belong
there. If you’re working on completing a peaklist based on elevation,
these are often nagging peaks that you wonder if you need to do “just in
case”. Ah, the things peakbaggers worry about...</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6s9gRfgSzgjh2UBrqndr3AdImRmJLQFvX4DZsn4HLkuBHDOvDEVrblOCG3YOXZ-z4XPjvtMFIuKYlhhF7C6LGAbK1rR73HTNcZ9yHSzyho-oyFCHY81b9hQpBN47sM2cJPXai4rCCrY/s1600/IMGP9879Petes+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6s9gRfgSzgjh2UBrqndr3AdImRmJLQFvX4DZsn4HLkuBHDOvDEVrblOCG3YOXZ-z4XPjvtMFIuKYlhhF7C6LGAbK1rR73HTNcZ9yHSzyho-oyFCHY81b9hQpBN47sM2cJPXai4rCCrY/s320/IMGP9879Petes+Cave.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave in the jumble of talus near Pete's Cave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
just because a summit isn’t ranked, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth
visiting. Not at all. Wilburn Ridge is arguably the most spectacular
spot in Virginia, certainly one of them. Likewise, while Peak 3260
doesn’t deserve any such accolades, there was nevertheless a small
outcrop at the very top that had some good views to the south, and a
rather spectacular view of Big House and Little House Mountains,
justification enough for climbing it in my book.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscZJxrqR5KFBLX5RZQFC-AcoYtoJlIRB6MGNPAHBKBBn04YeHfPMGcUel2uXFLu-9kdRPDOk7Uz88cdUY5sQhdA1VdrT8cKIeDJy1mXMv6P0_S9B74ZDK8btfYTfqpMvbd6CuRAxDXm8/s1600/IMGP9883near+Petes+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscZJxrqR5KFBLX5RZQFC-AcoYtoJlIRB6MGNPAHBKBBn04YeHfPMGcUel2uXFLu-9kdRPDOk7Uz88cdUY5sQhdA1VdrT8cKIeDJy1mXMv6P0_S9B74ZDK8btfYTfqpMvbd6CuRAxDXm8/s400/IMGP9883near+Petes+Cave.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the outcrops near Pete's Cave, with Anthony Knobs, Rich Patch Mountain, and Nicholls Knob in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5205207222312459" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgNC20tqBETxTB9nJxexqbIx-VC9OWO4UCZNO2Y-vqyp8tB4ERuaJLgeaHAxfhr4q-PzgtPO6hI3o_YiDG1hYlmQe5OgEHoiYVlugKhd7T-qZuw8Bexx8cKJxArmK3SY3pcYAWAm_Yuw/s1600/IMGP9886Big+Butt,+House,+Blue+Ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgNC20tqBETxTB9nJxexqbIx-VC9OWO4UCZNO2Y-vqyp8tB4ERuaJLgeaHAxfhr4q-PzgtPO6hI3o_YiDG1hYlmQe5OgEHoiYVlugKhd7T-qZuw8Bexx8cKJxArmK3SY3pcYAWAm_Yuw/s400/IMGP9886Big+Butt,+House,+Blue+Ridge.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Butt, Big House Mountain, Little House Mountain, and the distant Blue Ridge from Peak 3260.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span>
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Anthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain/Anthony%2520Knobs.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.767868,-79.724425&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
The route of the Anthony Knobs loop. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Anthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain/Anthony%2520Knobs.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.767868,-79.724425&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Anthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain/North%2520Mountain_Petes%2520Cave.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.797823,-79.649652&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
The route of the North Mountain hike. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=https%3A//dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/108330967/2013/Anthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain/North%2520Mountain_Petes%2520Cave.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.797823,-79.649652&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hike Stats:<br />
Anthony Knobs loop - 6.25 miles, 1,600' cumulative elevation gain<br />
North Mountain and Peak 3260 - 8.3 miles, 1,360' cumulative elevation gain<br />
<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5861599655726759745" target="_blank">Pictures from these hikes</a><br />
<br />
More pictures from North Mountain<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5732320089875507793" target="_blank">April 2012</a><br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5397228205286468945" target="_blank">October 2009</a><br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzOE1tMExlYzRjMVU&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and maps for Anthony Knobs </a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzeF9fcllJeFNkaHc&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and maps for North Mountain</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=78567&actid=50" target="_blank">USFS page for the Anthony Knob Trail </a><br />
<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=79389&actid=50" target="_blank">USFS page for the Blue Suck Run Trail</a><br />
<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=78574&actid=50" target="_blank">USFS page for North Mountain Trail </a><br />
<a href="http://www.lexingtonvirginia.com/hiking.htm" target="_blank">Hiking Near Lexington</a><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Anthony Knobs trailhead coordinates:<br />
37.75941,-79.71785<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FAnthony%2520Knobs.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=15" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead </a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #999999; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone:</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5abarkynXbRRUOBaitkKIR64qANeF_h4VknCcuhXaRkg316Zjg91ef8tUKhJZPCbA4g_NVP4hubn8u16BiWR_6EmKzeHZlmS8Rm9-bKx8wVqguUyrUKxb9nNDYLnIZQLth3CZ19VF0c/s1600/AnthonyKnobsqrcode.13124182.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5abarkynXbRRUOBaitkKIR64qANeF_h4VknCcuhXaRkg316Zjg91ef8tUKhJZPCbA4g_NVP4hubn8u16BiWR_6EmKzeHZlmS8Rm9-bKx8wVqguUyrUKxb9nNDYLnIZQLth3CZ19VF0c/s1600/AnthonyKnobsqrcode.13124182.png" /></a></div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FNorth%2520Mountain%2520and%2520Petes%2520Cave%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=37.758807,-79.703665&sspn=0.029009,0.066047&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.606934&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FNorth%2520Mountain%2520and%2520Petes%2520Cave%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=37.758807,-79.703665&sspn=0.029009,0.066047&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.606934&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
North Mountain trailhead coordinates:<br />
37.819,-79.63468<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FAnthony%2520Knobs%2520and%2520North%2520Mountain%2FNorth%2520Mountain_Petes%2520Cave.kml&hl=en&sll=37.759146,-79.717532&sspn=0.003444,0.008256&t=m&z=14" target="_blank">Google Map for trailhead </a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #999999; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XhxYXUYvO4dWKl5Oa0vwKkQL5ZnyNXxFQVaUEfR8QegK7Pw0m2xJZQz63xQlf6aiNx86oi2no8-DfXQRdnrYzHPN-cR0timz839aX_xbhSEGM_or93B9KJHBz5WFnVrnEi1w2h_nZ6w/s1600/NorthMtnqrcode.13124219.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XhxYXUYvO4dWKl5Oa0vwKkQL5ZnyNXxFQVaUEfR8QegK7Pw0m2xJZQz63xQlf6aiNx86oi2no8-DfXQRdnrYzHPN-cR0timz839aX_xbhSEGM_or93B9KJHBz5WFnVrnEi1w2h_nZ6w/s1600/NorthMtnqrcode.13124219.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #999999; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></span> <br />
<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-69882906715375776122013-03-09T20:18:00.000-08:002013-05-27T07:54:31.096-07:00Big Bald - A Commanding Prominence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRKWWZeBi1cAOInSzT0Ip2qs2lqDlReiCBa3zFcQAUPV6XiEZxD5mk6pyKsNiLiS57TBPJDJpW7HJzLZkn-Rbjw2IBEKsjaA-wJAxY5oZ7Sa8bXi9Zq8Km3kIRYar96Ko-nvbjPC9B9A/s1600/IMGP9810Big+Bald+ahead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRKWWZeBi1cAOInSzT0Ip2qs2lqDlReiCBa3zFcQAUPV6XiEZxD5mk6pyKsNiLiS57TBPJDJpW7HJzLZkn-Rbjw2IBEKsjaA-wJAxY5oZ7Sa8bXi9Zq8Km3kIRYar96Ko-nvbjPC9B9A/s640/IMGP9810Big+Bald+ahead.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wow,
where does the time go?! I can’t believe it’s been five years since my
last visit to <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=17191" target="_blank">Big Bald</a> - too awesome a spot to visit that infrequently.
Big Bald, at 5,516', is one of the better peaks in the Southeast, making
both the Southeast Highest 100 list at #59, and the Southeast 50 Most
Prominent at #10. But on top of that, the summit is a grassy bald with
spectacular views in every direction. This was another great hike with
my buddy Tommy Bell, and we couldn’t have picked a better day for it.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcRDWpccdFc4QN8hWTgXJh9pnulaJGDtgpP69hN94dbEk6g-USXGT-qETalwjYb0JOqqM4BdOGXmEFXXn5B-cdptVX6YvkR9s-dAEU6PGkytiKNIvBlkJWQpYgvLxUMjDdVprbl-0UCs/s1600/IMGP9843snow+in+the+woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcRDWpccdFc4QN8hWTgXJh9pnulaJGDtgpP69hN94dbEk6g-USXGT-qETalwjYb0JOqqM4BdOGXmEFXXn5B-cdptVX6YvkR9s-dAEU6PGkytiKNIvBlkJWQpYgvLxUMjDdVprbl-0UCs/s200/IMGP9843snow+in+the+woods.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
started seeing snow along the side of the road a couple miles before
reaching the trailhead near 3,252’ Spivey Gap. The snow cover was
continuous there, and only got deeper as we gained elevation. It was a
fairly tough 15 miles, with up to as much as 18" of snow up high, except
on the bald, where the wind had scoured it clean. There were some older
tracks, but we still had to do quite a bit of postholing and I
regretted not having brought my snowshoes.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
had some good views from <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=109182" target="_blank">High Rocks</a>, the first peak the AT goes over on
the way, and also found a nice, if limited view from <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=108569" target="_blank">Little Bald</a> (which
is not bald). But the big reward comes at the very top of Big Bald.
This open summit is every bit as exposed as the alpine summits of the
Northeast and can be dangerous in bad weather, but not today. </span></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This was a
crystal clear day with blue sky and 80+ mile views that dictated
spending over an hour on top identifying peaks all around the horizon
and getting sunburned in the process. Though the wind had at some time
scoured the top mostly clean of snow, there was little or no wind today,
the temperature was above freezing, and we were able to lounge in the
grass while soaking up the sun and taking in some of the best panoramic
views in the Southern mountains.</span></span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXge_s-YWfuaPqfP1NmjrWOgn3gDDl4OEQnuTjehyFCvPoATukepTTNsQwzWla4iuzc2XZGn9vL-seRtOerg5tX68dwV7CHNNsFZo-MnjWapP3eRFzKjACZ-wcHRr2RFTK8GPp6KT5j0/s1600/IMGP9800BaldMtns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXge_s-YWfuaPqfP1NmjrWOgn3gDDl4OEQnuTjehyFCvPoATukepTTNsQwzWla4iuzc2XZGn9vL-seRtOerg5tX68dwV7CHNNsFZo-MnjWapP3eRFzKjACZ-wcHRr2RFTK8GPp6KT5j0/s320/IMGP9800BaldMtns.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bald Mountains from High Rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span></span><br /> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7922911443928761" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
dominant feature is probably the nearby crest of the Black Mountains,
with its line of peaks above 6,000’ that culminates at Mount Mitchell,
the highest peak for 1,200 miles. The rest of the horizon is like a
who’s who of the Southern Appalachians. Just a few among the visible
sights include the Great Craggies, the steep cone of Mount Pisgah, the
Great Balsams, the Plott Balsams, the Newfound Mountains, the Great
Smokies (with 6,621’ Mount Guyot very obvious), the Bald Mountains, the
Iron Mountains, Unaka Mountain, Mount Rogers, part of the Amphibolite
Range, the Roan Highlands, Grandfather Mountain, and Hawksbill and Table
Rock on the eastern rim of Linville Gorge. One can also see across the
Tennessee Valley to the Cumberland Plateau, Bays and Chimneytop
Mountains in Tennessee, as well as Virginia’s Powell Mountain, Clinch
Mountain, and even Big A Mountain some 78 miles away. I didn’t try to
pick it out, but another hiking buddy, Tom Layton, pointed out that even
Cumberland Gap is visible from this amazing vantage point. That would
be a little over 70 miles to the northwest on the Virginia and Kentucky
border. Also, it would seem that Black Mountain, the highpoint of
Kentucky, is also in sight 68 miles away at a bearing of 340°. Not only
that, but according to </span><a href="http://www.peakfinder.org/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Peakfinder.org</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
several South Carolina peaks, including Caesars Head (62 miles),
Pinnacle Mountain (68 miles), and Sassafras Mountain (66 miles) are also
visible to the south. If so, that means that five states are visible
from this commanding prominence. In all likelihood, some of the most
distant landforms we could see on the horizon were pushing the 100 mile
mark. With a spotting scope, and a day like this, it seems quite likely
that one could even pick out some of the tall buildings in Charlotte by
looking immediately to the left of Celo Knob. That would be 104 miles or
so away! I’ll have to try to confirm that if I’m ever lucky enough to
be here on another equally good day.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxPYHkhoKbcs2mrOw3nBtmZ61gM2xKdW0cntkBlY9vJM0Y_7keATf81G1XQuezZoh807QE25L04scjDdl3N64ULBHyMeIBR0GZ3JTeiLVi_BfN0TwrS-RhK57YkfvcdJiyU73pB8gsNI/s1600/IMGP9813Tonka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxPYHkhoKbcs2mrOw3nBtmZ61gM2xKdW0cntkBlY9vJM0Y_7keATf81G1XQuezZoh807QE25L04scjDdl3N64ULBHyMeIBR0GZ3JTeiLVi_BfN0TwrS-RhK57YkfvcdJiyU73pB8gsNI/s400/IMGP9813Tonka.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonka and Tommy taking it easy on Big Bald.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fODkH3TVdyPs081jTpJJ7BgU0MgKLKkotQ0jelU4DZOZE6sv1Ecgw3YD4VhjshsqIyWhhkXDRbZ7u0Q5JsYznwetndgetd-KmtpEsRUx4AU9hnZXwSpwxFVPfTzFz4hcIFkDxhOipA/s1600/IMGP9818Looking+northeast+towards+Unaka.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fODkH3TVdyPs081jTpJJ7BgU0MgKLKkotQ0jelU4DZOZE6sv1Ecgw3YD4VhjshsqIyWhhkXDRbZ7u0Q5JsYznwetndgetd-KmtpEsRUx4AU9hnZXwSpwxFVPfTzFz4hcIFkDxhOipA/s640/IMGP9818Looking+northeast+towards+Unaka.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking northeast towards Unaka Mountain. Mount Rogers was just visible over Unaka's shoulder, some 70 miles away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAaicXuC16TMfxB8kLYftzbZxw5jJw-UpoatN3uG99l0KYC0DXQMQqlG2R39afzmikg_Q51UJaKFFOx2C2fPnskzKR7cPWAjNBF8Az877z_1mBK0TN-Km6dWeHUF_SreZwQabBgRj4tw/s1600/IMGP9825Roan+Highlands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAaicXuC16TMfxB8kLYftzbZxw5jJw-UpoatN3uG99l0KYC0DXQMQqlG2R39afzmikg_Q51UJaKFFOx2C2fPnskzKR7cPWAjNBF8Az877z_1mBK0TN-Km6dWeHUF_SreZwQabBgRj4tw/s400/IMGP9825Roan+Highlands.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Roan Highlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnfv6vv4J3oGJFSqf15QKlLg4VMEb87PQHqRCuruvTp1pAo3WfjxIWSonRs1XB9Ckp5h616cbJORqgyw3VE1DA0zkqOvyvs2tBmUb7_gr2ck_t_kDaQeUzs6ajuphPaW21lR-QcZCLPE/s1600/Panorama2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnfv6vv4J3oGJFSqf15QKlLg4VMEb87PQHqRCuruvTp1pAo3WfjxIWSonRs1XB9Ckp5h616cbJORqgyw3VE1DA0zkqOvyvs2tBmUb7_gr2ck_t_kDaQeUzs6ajuphPaW21lR-QcZCLPE/s400/Panorama2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A two shot panorama of the Black Mountains and the Great Craggy Mountains from Big Bald. Click to view larger or go to the <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5860771060746659233/5860771387300625858" target="_blank">album</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1BT0Wtk-GVckG6dcHEgbAVF6YlxPEv4VaObJ7mbtLXN-5JqRS0HNUyXuQPIKYvHWzqnNItWPJ-U3xhw3C4hla2l4yCP_xrbqX5OctMpn01qxEsRPi90BVd6hOlU_Er9j6rCr1-qKUiI/s1600/IMGP9840Smokies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1BT0Wtk-GVckG6dcHEgbAVF6YlxPEv4VaObJ7mbtLXN-5JqRS0HNUyXuQPIKYvHWzqnNItWPJ-U3xhw3C4hla2l4yCP_xrbqX5OctMpn01qxEsRPi90BVd6hOlU_Er9j6rCr1-qKUiI/s400/IMGP9840Smokies.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view to the southwest from Big Bald takes in the Eastern Smokies, including Mount Guyot. The obvious snow-covered bald is Max Patch Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Big%2520Bald/Big%2520Bald.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.010807,-82.455308&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
The route of this hike. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Big%2520Bald/Big%2520Bald.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.010807,-82.455308&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hike Stats: 14.8 miles, 4,200' cumulative elevation gain<br />
<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5860771060746659233" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a><br />
<br />
Other pictures from hikes to Big Bald<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5200457330491333393" target="_blank">March 2008</a> <br />
<br />
Resources<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0BzuSBstS_vxzRFIxbTJFZlpibW8&usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and maps</a><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FBig%2520Bald%2FBig%2520Bald%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FBig%2520Bald%2FBig%2520Bald%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Trailhead coordinates: 36.03169,-82.42004<br />
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FBig%2520Bald%2FBig%2520Bald.kml&hl=en&sll=37.824103,-79.396134&sspn=1.854856,4.22699&t=m&z=14" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailhead with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RhhHqQiOp2i-1kf1NuYL0TUBL9dXM5TKOi30B2lfNqJZ78wuzSwpDZC_h8oTnBgdXjTUgLulmZT8hGYG_KgJ1rP5FRCjCCog0M60VeZ9gXgk_RuqoB80gdAkcIR6RqPtZq5A94A5_TI/s1600/qrcode.12866247BigBald.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RhhHqQiOp2i-1kf1NuYL0TUBL9dXM5TKOi30B2lfNqJZ78wuzSwpDZC_h8oTnBgdXjTUgLulmZT8hGYG_KgJ1rP5FRCjCCog0M60VeZ9gXgk_RuqoB80gdAkcIR6RqPtZq5A94A5_TI/s1600/qrcode.12866247BigBald.png" /></a></div>
crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-86286104570252029532013-02-24T16:41:00.000-08:002013-05-27T11:06:45.408-07:00Grandfather Mountain - Trail Of Ice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnRU3dH_gdb8dNq-2dqhnSCJENYQkPfq4yuU_x7xXHxc0-Vl25-8uT5fmVuHXcTkDigSsOblFRvNShKqFb8XsTD0UzTdhiPETP2q_3VAtT5kkUyDpNnF54ufjHdEUjCByv67SVl-g60M/s1600/IMGP9760icytrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnRU3dH_gdb8dNq-2dqhnSCJENYQkPfq4yuU_x7xXHxc0-Vl25-8uT5fmVuHXcTkDigSsOblFRvNShKqFb8XsTD0UzTdhiPETP2q_3VAtT5kkUyDpNnF54ufjHdEUjCByv67SVl-g60M/s640/IMGP9760icytrail.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Grandfather
Mountain is one of my favorite places, and always has been since my
first visit over 20 years ago. Its high balsam forest, wild weather, and
ragged, rocky crest with ladders and cables have always been a mental
transport to another favorite region the best part of a thousand miles
away, where such things are commonplace. It is arguably the most rugged
mountain in the Southeast, but agree or not, it would make most anyone’s
short list of contenders for the distinction. I can’t get enough of the
place, and try to visit, on average, once a year. After missing my more
or less annual hike on Grandfather Mountain last year, I was determined
to get there sometime this year.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YNOpoMmBgRoO70BujiR7IgT-tipCQY7JIAXwigJ7O4rfXZ2fY_M94Is43HdvfNYrCorfvkt8Qcw0P310pq4Lxe6mT12pVTDcnlGYQoRdJzrJodLEMOAFwgeiNK3c0td_HfnlgUUyEf8/s1600/P2240271not+a+problem.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YNOpoMmBgRoO70BujiR7IgT-tipCQY7JIAXwigJ7O4rfXZ2fY_M94Is43HdvfNYrCorfvkt8Qcw0P310pq4Lxe6mT12pVTDcnlGYQoRdJzrJodLEMOAFwgeiNK3c0td_HfnlgUUyEf8/s320/P2240271not+a+problem.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a problem. Photo by Tommy Bell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before this hike, I was thinking Winter was winding down. I was kind of bummed about that, not because I love cold weather, but because I hate hot, humid weather, and also partly because I had just had the good luck to win a pair of crampons from the writer of another hiking blog I follow, <a href="http://sectionhiker.com/" target="_blank">Section Hiker</a>, whose owner regularly tests and gives away gear. I figured it was going to be at least December before I would have a chance to try them out, on my usual Christmas visit to the Catskills. But, lo and behold, we had another wave of cold and snow, and I found out that the higher trails of Grandfather Mountain were supposedly very icy! My buddy Tommy had been wanting to return there as well, so it ended up being a no-brainer where to hike this weekend. I wasn’t really expecting to need full crampons for the hike, only my usual microspikes, but I figured I would at least have a chance to put them on and try them out somewhere. Well, there turned out to be far more ice than I would have ever imagined. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
started up the Profile Trail on dry ground, and I had doubts about just
how much ice there was going to be. But around the 4,500’ elevation, a
little snow started to appear and the trail slowly became more and more
icy as it climbed higher and higher. We passed below the cliffs that
form The Profile, and the spectacular off-trail pinnacle of Haystack
Rock - a spot I have long wanted to visit. Since off-trail hiking is
frowned upon in the park, going there would be ill-advised, though I’m
certain a few people have found the appeal to get off the beaten path
too great, and have done so, especially when the reward is so obvious.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOywfsb0ppa7akKc3Sz4-NPI73KK-uZd31edJCCmRBya5WKRCvZeCdgTLu9TSl9vvq9KbasjXYRj2k6fATM2EjGOR1HudYEasD7uKcxX2d428MPaDEBnHkUha5eqYh5AENsDBmDA-Wvxw/s1600/IMGP9731Calloway+Peak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOywfsb0ppa7akKc3Sz4-NPI73KK-uZd31edJCCmRBya5WKRCvZeCdgTLu9TSl9vvq9KbasjXYRj2k6fATM2EjGOR1HudYEasD7uKcxX2d428MPaDEBnHkUha5eqYh5AENsDBmDA-Wvxw/s400/IMGP9731Calloway+Peak.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Calloway Peak</td></tr>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By
the time we reached the crest, traction devices were definitely a good
idea. The trail was mostly a ribbon of hard ice, with only intermittent
sections of dry or snow-only covered footbed. Even though I had
microspikes, I decided that I wouldn’t look like an idiot wearing full
crampons after all. Especially on the many of the steep, rocky sections,
the ice was heavy and treacherous enough that it was probably pushing
the limit for microspikes anyway. With my new footgear though, I could
feel the 10 steel points on each boot bite into the ice, and felt
remarkably sure-footed. I was able to walk on the ice in most places as
though it were dry ground, a liberating feeling.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lCsHUDqDiJUu4INS06bdBPEiSp30CyehV9njW0sHADV2d7yMos3e_SsCs3eoSZvWX6dxA5DL3klyv_qb_q8gWZ78kGjIXDWXndHYekzUYWx6Kld9iRLCipwDEgBWQeN0zskghq986MQ/s1600/IMGP9738towards+Attic+Window.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lCsHUDqDiJUu4INS06bdBPEiSp30CyehV9njW0sHADV2d7yMos3e_SsCs3eoSZvWX6dxA5DL3klyv_qb_q8gWZ78kGjIXDWXndHYekzUYWx6Kld9iRLCipwDEgBWQeN0zskghq986MQ/s320/IMGP9738towards+Attic+Window.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward Attic Window Peak</td></tr>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
gaining a little more elevation and climbing a couple of short ladders
we made it to the 5,964’ summit of Grandfather Mountain, a.k.a. </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=17280" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Calloway Peak</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
The views from this highest point in the Blue Ridge are always great on
a clear day, as this was, and include the crest of the even higher
Black Mountains, the apex of these Eastern states. We took it all in for
a few minutes, then reversed our route back down into the gap to the
southwest to continue our icy trek.</span><br /> </span></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
terrain flattens out briefly beyond here, but soon enough we were back
on steep, ice-covered rock. There are definitely spots here where you
would not want to fall in Summer conditions, but that number increases
exponentially with ice because of the possibility of falling, then
sliding over something that you do not want to slide over. A good many
of the cliff faces up here are well over 100 feet high. Even if you
don’t go over a cliff, there is still the hazard of gaining momentum and
sliding into something, like another rock. Today it seemed that many of
the places you would least want ice had the most. But we were careful,
and had no real issues, only awe and great joy at being here on this
spectacular ridgeline of crags and wind and views.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaJtFEVhrCvzfhFy_dhVOuThwNwVUmOO05YdtWYp0wgajVHzEDn9_C560DEoFQrDX6w-mt-IBYBMTLY61tOMGriwL4xVU1QklLpVc4qclvJ2buRDWH_WyQRl4bf2xMi6Siva5-VBAh0U/s1600/IMGP9755chute+below+Attic+Window+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaJtFEVhrCvzfhFy_dhVOuThwNwVUmOO05YdtWYp0wgajVHzEDn9_C560DEoFQrDX6w-mt-IBYBMTLY61tOMGriwL4xVU1QklLpVc4qclvJ2buRDWH_WyQRl4bf2xMi6Siva5-VBAh0U/s400/IMGP9755chute+below+Attic+Window+.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy below Attic Window Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.13187135183480259" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After reaching the top of </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=112195" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Attic Window Peak</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
we headed down the Class 2 chute (maybe Class 3 with ice) on its west
side, then through the short underground section where the trail goes
beneath a huge jumble of room-sized boulders that have fallen off the
cliffs over the millennia. The most formidable section of trail turned
out to be just ahead, on the climb up </span><a href="http://listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=108426" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">MacRae Peak</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
a.k.a. Raven Rocks. Just above the gap, a short ladder scales a low
cliff at the bottom of a steep slab of bare rock. There is a
rubber-covered steel cable with knots in it, anchored on both ends, to
act as a handrail of sorts on this, an appropriate safeguard for when
the rock is wet. It seemed totally inadequate, even laughable, for the
several inch thick layer of clear ice that plastered the rock today. You
wouldn’t fall to your death here, but it wouldn’t feel good either. But
we were game, and again had no problems. Amazing what you can do with
the right gear! We were careful nevertheless. We actually met a guy
coming down this with no spikes, but he certainly was envious of ours,
and we didn’t envy him. I have no idea how the guys we later saw in
tennis shoes fared on this, but it couldn’t have been pretty or
graceful.</span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip08ukQ7jOt0U2yXAHqL0qiSyWGw7P2RVdtneu-pX8FElfiopUGMnMdAdBRxb6nnBGFmJszsTHuStDcxthUOYP8f_f0kA2fwKaGmDzKDEug69ypYM6LAeG4hbWGEeOtNa32JU1mEjC_Io/s1600/P2240270Grandfather+Trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip08ukQ7jOt0U2yXAHqL0qiSyWGw7P2RVdtneu-pX8FElfiopUGMnMdAdBRxb6nnBGFmJszsTHuStDcxthUOYP8f_f0kA2fwKaGmDzKDEug69ypYM6LAeG4hbWGEeOtNa32JU1mEjC_Io/s320/P2240270Grandfather+Trail.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading underground temporarily. Photo by Tommy Bell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Minutes later we were climbing the ladder onto the overhanging summit block of this spectacular peak, one that would probably be a short, but technical and exposed climb without the ladder. It has an airy feeling to it for sure, and the violently gusting wind only exacerbated that feeling, tending to make one avoid the edges. But the views are simply superb, with the wild cliffs of Attic Window Peak close by on one side, and the almost exotic forms of Hawksbill and Table Rock off in the distance to the other direction. Of course, you have to take the good with the bad. This summit also gives one of the closest views of that monstrosity of a condominium on nearby Sugar Mountain that blights so many other summit views in this part of North Carolina, an eyesore that, in my opinion, should never have been built. But what’s done is done, and I find I can usually ignore it. Actually, I am often amazed at how far away it can be seen from, and sometimes use it as a very distinguishable landmark when trying to identify other nearby peaks.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rqAi9qo6j4foKTm6X4EZUfJm_sSZKKxGXyQyOxnc0h91v1AGbW0BYd8SL3RL0NNLElo4IGUt8nQ0yTDspu2hk-QeJS2UYxrQmz41xSk9kP74GAV5YW3dfE5KDrWOkzttxZM4r0Ke_l0/s1600/P2240276icytrail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rqAi9qo6j4foKTm6X4EZUfJm_sSZKKxGXyQyOxnc0h91v1AGbW0BYd8SL3RL0NNLElo4IGUt8nQ0yTDspu2hk-QeJS2UYxrQmz41xSk9kP74GAV5YW3dfE5KDrWOkzttxZM4r0Ke_l0/s640/P2240276icytrail.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icy trail up MacRae Peak. Photo by Tommy Bell</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCrnTEZ2TC46j9Nm8zHwYN5nmXcAf7MaaZ9bCg9m9RJj5bmYOiiBdruyvsxz6vCtJeuIf71j7AXELlSOMhXZ9iQtABVCIhT2fk5L1MoQmK62eWTnxNjGnsvakU1iSDmsCFGe4UY-6kIQ/s1600/P2240286McRae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCrnTEZ2TC46j9Nm8zHwYN5nmXcAf7MaaZ9bCg9m9RJj5bmYOiiBdruyvsxz6vCtJeuIf71j7AXELlSOMhXZ9iQtABVCIhT2fk5L1MoQmK62eWTnxNjGnsvakU1iSDmsCFGe4UY-6kIQ/s400/P2240286McRae.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Topping out on MacRae Peak. Photo by Tommy Bell</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-eBuIRercXbIKRfnEIL_b2WgG-ENFVF7KYWfGRPa10fZi1E6d-jjVhFb5pnZbSIfKKxK9jFDeed2bFXFy8Qil3pf4chrW9iWGZDXyiKjUxGm_EwzgzhWJ60uuqvRNUF-fB2ywHZkOzU/s1600/IMGP9768Attic+Window+from+McRae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-eBuIRercXbIKRfnEIL_b2WgG-ENFVF7KYWfGRPa10fZi1E6d-jjVhFb5pnZbSIfKKxK9jFDeed2bFXFy8Qil3pf4chrW9iWGZDXyiKjUxGm_EwzgzhWJ60uuqvRNUF-fB2ywHZkOzU/s400/IMGP9768Attic+Window+from+McRae.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attic Window Peak from MacRae peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7YBo45bdV9SzmysQ3tryghdrqUr2v_KlayV_XRNYnN8rRET575WAQ81OcEYRQODM264R2UI03bqvcylN6SLCLXXqzjHslYYHxcA5tNfmDxpssGp7LRHfgMZxJFHl2rh1bSWnjn369L8/s1600/IMGP9774TommyOnOverhang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7YBo45bdV9SzmysQ3tryghdrqUr2v_KlayV_XRNYnN8rRET575WAQ81OcEYRQODM264R2UI03bqvcylN6SLCLXXqzjHslYYHxcA5tNfmDxpssGp7LRHfgMZxJFHl2rh1bSWnjn369L8/s640/IMGP9774TommyOnOverhang.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy on an overhanging outcrop on MacRae Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFgxvnk1jw9WhtohAr9petshKrjilGkfPNiDrNq2t-NqFef2a29RJnlgHcZLSimDOdX97Y60kBMRiOEf2EhyphenhyphenZIMHQL9s0Unm_X3hz48Qglc69vuoZqeREs7bBAI1JmOelbdnuA83j3IM/s1600/IMGP9781MacRae+Peak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFgxvnk1jw9WhtohAr9petshKrjilGkfPNiDrNq2t-NqFef2a29RJnlgHcZLSimDOdX97Y60kBMRiOEf2EhyphenhyphenZIMHQL9s0Unm_X3hz48Qglc69vuoZqeREs7bBAI1JmOelbdnuA83j3IM/s640/IMGP9781MacRae+Peak.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had one final view of MacRae Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We
decided to skip the high ladders and more cables that descend the south
side of the peak, followed by looping back around the west side on the
Undercliff Trail. No doubt it would have been spectacular, maybe even
scary, but we opted to simply backtrack from here, satisfied with the
day. Headed back down the Profile Trail, we stopped briefly at Shanty
Spring to admire the large icefall there and poke around at the nearly
invisible beginning of the long abandoned Shanty Spring Trail, the route
I used on my very first visit here back in 1991. A little farther and
the trail of ice began to disappear.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5f3cKnvDP0mE-9u7nudXkjDQCMd84Ly6ADE0Lph_FCXWpDDHWc731GV15ajWgIWZ-weiaehpz-LeoMdRw3sdG0jBusmcBsvUHygSp3sdYR-WToxf_8PLInItkY99RUfJaej20_oj6EU/s1600/IMGP9795Grandfather+Profile%252CHaystack+Rock%252CandWataugaView.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5f3cKnvDP0mE-9u7nudXkjDQCMd84Ly6ADE0Lph_FCXWpDDHWc731GV15ajWgIWZ-weiaehpz-LeoMdRw3sdG0jBusmcBsvUHygSp3sdYR-WToxf_8PLInItkY99RUfJaej20_oj6EU/s400/IMGP9795Grandfather+Profile%252CHaystack+Rock%252CandWataugaView.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Profile, Haystack Rock, and Calloway Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even
as I write this a month later (way behind on my blogging), similar
conditions still persist on this amazing mountain. As of March 23, the
state park website offers these warnings, tempting me to head there
again, to the trail of ice, before Winter really is gone:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3/24/13 Fresh snow and ice. Trails remain slick.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Please be advised:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
even with warmer weather, higher elevation trails will still have slick
conditions for some time. There is still snow and ice below Calloway
Peak and to Grandfather Mountain Attraction with intermittent deep snow
drifts along the ridge line. Proper gear and clothing, adequate
food/water and winter hiking experience are necessary for hiking at
higher elevations. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Caution:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Ice traction is essential. Be alert to ice, snow and possible downed tree limbs on the park's trails.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Grandfather%2520Mountain/Grandfather%2520Mountain.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.111972,-81.805087&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of the trails on Grandfather Mountain. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Grandfather%2520Mountain/Grandfather%2520Mountain.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.111972,-81.805087&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<br />
Hike Stats:<br />
7.7 miles, 3,050' cumulative elevation gain via profile trail and back<br />
<br />
<a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5859788656206184561?banner=pwa" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a><br />
Pictures from other hikes to Grandfather Mountain<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GrandfatherMountainNC03?noredirect=1" target="_blank">July 2011 </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GrandfatherMountainNC02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">July 2008</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GrandfatherMountainNC?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2007</a><br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxzN091aG9hSkNQdFE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and maps</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/grmo/main.php" target="_blank">North Carolina State Parks Grandfather Mountain site</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/grmo/directions.php" target="_blank">Grandfather Mountain State Park maps and directions </a><br />
<a href="http://www.grandfather.com/" target="_blank">Grandfather Mountain private attraction site</a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/tanawha-grandfather-mtn/151688" target="_blank">SummitPost page </a>- has additional links for each peak and routes<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.048091,-79.650879&spn=6.05507,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.048091,-79.650879&spn=6.05507,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Profile Trailhead coordinates:<br />
36.12175,-81.83009<br />
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain%2FGrandfather%2520Mountain.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=15" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvOL6HvcsRAzVNH1kAUHzpYjZYlWJi0gd3Uk4IQAS6sIu4_KRsnt0pW3UDfJjSjRqP5fYZmbfrsmU-EWlFt4hODH8sVn9Z7I6cdrGdQubYmkhyWyoWjkK3pH-s8xeMRfthSFEKBDjDkk/s1600/GrandfatherMtnqrcode.12818084.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvOL6HvcsRAzVNH1kAUHzpYjZYlWJi0gd3Uk4IQAS6sIu4_KRsnt0pW3UDfJjSjRqP5fYZmbfrsmU-EWlFt4hODH8sVn9Z7I6cdrGdQubYmkhyWyoWjkK3pH-s8xeMRfthSFEKBDjDkk/s1600/GrandfatherMtnqrcode.12818084.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-10383761851806803122013-02-09T10:23:00.000-08:002014-04-13T22:41:13.368-07:00Clinch Mountain - The Back Of The Dragon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dCAF9-PPWV6cRFnfBwr-DhL-pW4qBgx8kWCMOSp6As1wfad3vwUpnO91zGvIF6E1v_mJ91hGKQZolp5-NEgIIs_cMfQAHtfKJ0Rmm1fJIimQuryWOOau0T72BXq2Bv4Ekohtm-V4tMg/s1600/IMGP9651knife+edge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0dCAF9-PPWV6cRFnfBwr-DhL-pW4qBgx8kWCMOSp6As1wfad3vwUpnO91zGvIF6E1v_mJ91hGKQZolp5-NEgIIs_cMfQAHtfKJ0Rmm1fJIimQuryWOOau0T72BXq2Bv4Ekohtm-V4tMg/s640/IMGP9651knife+edge.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
I turned onto Route 16 North in the town of Marion, Virginia recently, I
noticed a sign I hadn’t seen before proclaiming the road “The Back Of
The Dragon”. While perhaps an appropriate moniker for this very curvy
road that very nearly makes a complete loop at one point, I couldn’t
help but think it was a knock-off on the section of US Highway 129 that
winds around the western end of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
That is another exceptionally curvy road that has long been referred to
as “The Dragon” or “The Dragon’s Back”. As it turned out though, the
name seemed like a great way to describe the hike I was about to do.
After a slow two dozen miles across Walker and Brushy Mountains, then up
Clinch Mountain, I parked on the crest of the latter and stepped out
into an icy wind to begin the day’s adventure.</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I
had done the first two miles of this hike before, years ago, so I knew
there were some good views, but I had forgotten just how spectacular
this route was, and knew nothing about what lay beyond where I had
turned around last time. Almost immediately the ridgeline narrowed down
to a few feet wide, and soon thereafter small drop-offs began to appear
on one side or the other. The crest became increasingly narrow, until it
was literally a sharp spine of bare rock, usually with a cliff on the
north side and a steep slope on the south. While the cliffs were nothing
like you would expect on an alpine </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ar%C3%AAte" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">arete</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
on a major mountain, they were certainly high enough in many places to
demand respect and sure-footedness. Without trees, it would have felt a
great deal more exposed in many spots, and a fall would likely be fatal
in several of these. Occasionally it would widen out a little, but
rarely for more than a few yards. There were bits and pieces of either
game or hunter paths, but for all practical purposes this hike was, and
is, a bushwhack. Briers were quite abundant, but rarely so thick that I
couldn’t pick my way through them. Usually, I found I was able to walk
right on the knife edge, but at times there were overly thick briers, or
the exposure became too great for comfort. Almost without exception I
was able to bypass such difficulties on the south side by dropping down a
few feet or yards, often still on the steeply sloping slabs of
sandstone, many of which extended a considerable distance downhill.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZV2R3QkfcbFgTxAiLmSKX6xZ31bp0_9tlpVuFp2vJ7gbHb139K00lD_jJEdSQbGWtD6bJDTY8Kz3kZjGLmWTT5gz8FqDzTuR4GKkYT7dy0XHxphRtwWwAZA9T8cUkUSCrhij5p5q6dKg/s640/IMGP9622NarrowRidge.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much of the first four miles along the crest of Clinch Mountain varied from narrow...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrQ9V5Xss6j7pMQmUsYzoBB_2h1tjAkeEWTi5UpC138s-htGlSXAAv4kwXXWA3qN2skBwtPTUIedQJHBfqU0RJF41GswZrqT8oUrP6fv9pHO2oIhCznbDNR7HC_-fM7CtQBNcjG-_iMM/s640/IMGP9624NarrowRidge.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to narrower...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEljDZuJ-rNm13bbkhypGuWbx7wxeMOPyN_5onJI6KEzLt7Suc-cRhHfVh0yI47TPm2DjxFpSOdaZaLDuCjyKRewLMwPuzZ6sXBnbTJQUiXI8PHtUveSn_ETO-Co_tPLlZ3xZO6z3YM_M/s640/IMGP9623NarrowRidge.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...to even narrower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWjDl1P1Erw_qZxEHIwbaCcOC7F9WR6uHEiTX-qbHH3cmgZnhReJ-52-joeXq8Tg7Nzxz7lbh3eekKQikhaf_q_coC2NxEiu23rtQox-HAMQ5CYNqBQnWqsIHdl0IzG8bMXAbTXNjIVU/s1600/IMGP9636KnifeEdge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWjDl1P1Erw_qZxEHIwbaCcOC7F9WR6uHEiTX-qbHH3cmgZnhReJ-52-joeXq8Tg7Nzxz7lbh3eekKQikhaf_q_coC2NxEiu23rtQox-HAMQ5CYNqBQnWqsIHdl0IzG8bMXAbTXNjIVU/s640/IMGP9636KnifeEdge.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you say knife-edge ridge?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fuH8plbIRu_U7g_LFKzNX5AKlxTGQiFjqIsDO31CSz1FpeAWACV7pg1CvVOeDm6Ja-mSVzytmCgG4r4ks2ehCZ9FrBl6ZGKKYT8D4MNZJV5fHlOl77aRb8Mgb4GRBmF1h29I3I-A7v0/s1600/IMGP9634arch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fuH8plbIRu_U7g_LFKzNX5AKlxTGQiFjqIsDO31CSz1FpeAWACV7pg1CvVOeDm6Ja-mSVzytmCgG4r4ks2ehCZ9FrBl6ZGKKYT8D4MNZJV5fHlOl77aRb8Mgb4GRBmF1h29I3I-A7v0/s320/IMGP9634arch.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A natural arch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
about a mile, some limited views begin to appear, and a little farther
there is even a small natural arch which is perhaps four feet high and
fifteen feet long right on top of the ridgeline. Then the real views
begin to appear in steady succession, and the route becomes even more
interesting, literally like walking along the back of a dragon. At
various points there are views in nearly every direction, a couple of
them essentially 360° panoramas. There is also one particularly notable
overhang at one point, which looks like the famous overhang on McAfee
Knob tilted upward at a crazy angle. It begged for a person standing on
it in the picture, but alas, I was alone.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCw0iNLEXYWC1hKxtpBOmTRH3sJPVatgrSW-CEQv8yOmRyGPdh3tQO9AyGHNc_c6pS9nHA9X0kY8Z0gs-orfO2ymiQQmKvQkcXIIayLA1TxZIFu7CIxg8H6n5HLGcABdKr7LIef-vO0I/s1600/IMGP9653overhang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCw0iNLEXYWC1hKxtpBOmTRH3sJPVatgrSW-CEQv8yOmRyGPdh3tQO9AyGHNc_c6pS9nHA9X0kY8Z0gs-orfO2ymiQQmKvQkcXIIayLA1TxZIFu7CIxg8H6n5HLGcABdKr7LIef-vO0I/s640/IMGP9653overhang.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crazy overhang ahead needed a person on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7HufyViloZ9s5wWpvP3zx1h3GsyKtZPrqQC7Iifzwjmlui0HVIlOM9MYaSvDycgHmzbFy6zNalRw99oMPjzL1MYjjMNph_QfX8KoWkO2iqJ19lTY6wQA0Ak-q6JB8GZgKLFuj1QCYeg/s1600/IMGP9660thorns.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7HufyViloZ9s5wWpvP3zx1h3GsyKtZPrqQC7Iifzwjmlui0HVIlOM9MYaSvDycgHmzbFy6zNalRw99oMPjzL1MYjjMNph_QfX8KoWkO2iqJ19lTY6wQA0Ak-q6JB8GZgKLFuj1QCYeg/s320/IMGP9660thorns.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were lots of nasty thorns!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ease
through some briers, walk a knife edge, drop down the south side a few
yards to bypass a difficult section, climb back up, enjoy an awesome
view. Repeat. This was the process for much of the first four miles. The
views included such sights as Mount Rogers and Whitetop, Chestnut
Ridge, Knob Mountain, and Thompson Valley among others. Eventually the
crest starts to broaden and the last good view is at around the 4 ½ mile
mark. This would normally be a good turnaround point, but I had another
goal in mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ever
since my buddy Shane Ashby and I finished bagging all the ranked (300’
prominence) Virginia 4,000 Footers three years ago, and actually, all
the 4,000’ peaks down to 200’ prominence, I have slowly been knocking
off the few remaining named, but unranked 4,000 Footers as well, just to
say I’ve been on them. One of the eight remaining was just over a mile
ahead now. <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104099" target="_blank">Redoak Ridge</a> is 4,580’ above sea level, but it is certainly
no peak, only a bump with 80’ of prominence on the ridge extending
southwest from the state’s sixth highest peak of 4,710’ <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=17539" target="_blank">Garden Mountain</a>,
a.k.a. Balsam Beartown - a major Virginia summit with over 2,000’ of prominence.
It has a name on the map though, so I wanted it. It also didn’t hurt my
desire that the top was white with rime, and I could see that there was
some snow up there. I started getting into snow just a little higher
up, around the 4,000’ elevation. A little higher still and the rime
started to appear in the trees, always a beautiful sight. Then, near the
top, red spruce started to appear and I was again in my favorite type
of forest - the boreal. No views, but a beautiful spot nevertheless. ( Actually, in hindsight, there may be more views nearby after all. Upon studying satellite imagery while writing this, I noticed that there appear to be more cliffs just to the north of my route, which could look into the head of Thompson Valley and beyond.)</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A2nRe-fibdMOKNEqIPna_sXKLG4lwfSgtklYUlqSxMSfxOicISCbMhaICF0WmK4kWMpYcaOVFzKTDQt6r2_-e-8FWKxOiwK_CtDEpdUMUSnQOJS-Hhysk3EHk6c6wIFYzbeBtI_uOJM/s1600/IMGP9681Peak4150,ShortMtn,KnobMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A2nRe-fibdMOKNEqIPna_sXKLG4lwfSgtklYUlqSxMSfxOicISCbMhaICF0WmK4kWMpYcaOVFzKTDQt6r2_-e-8FWKxOiwK_CtDEpdUMUSnQOJS-Hhysk3EHk6c6wIFYzbeBtI_uOJM/s400/IMGP9681Peak4150,ShortMtn,KnobMtn.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great view west of Thompson Valley, Peak 4150, Short Mountain, and Morris Knob.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Half
of the next ½ mile was pure Hell, as I dropped down to the headwaters
of Cove Creek and climbed back up to Beartown Ridge. The rhododendron
near the creek was pretty hideous. I don’t think I had to crawl anywhere
or take my pack off, but there were a few places where it took me most
of a minute to take one step. Pry back the interwoven branches, tuck
them behind my back, grab a couple more, climb up into the bush and take
a jerky step forward, then repeat. It was slow going, with a few choice
words uttered aloud. Much to my relief, it eventually thinned out into
more open woods and I reached the top of 4,689’ <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104096" target="_blank">Beartown Ridge</a>, another
unranked bump, but one I had been on several times before.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD-hrQz0TQBpWGpbWPjaAb4D1HhZCZfuwe4hPlNWn1t5gc3yWh7GRVxbn5gHs7v0x2wWRQX7Mi1aAThTBsxENVv5wyTLsSulof1u2UzTyglnjtbbMQgZvkR4DdwC1b3eyt3K4_yhvH-4/s1600/IMGP9667Rogers&Whitetop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD-hrQz0TQBpWGpbWPjaAb4D1HhZCZfuwe4hPlNWn1t5gc3yWh7GRVxbn5gHs7v0x2wWRQX7Mi1aAThTBsxENVv5wyTLsSulof1u2UzTyglnjtbbMQgZvkR4DdwC1b3eyt3K4_yhvH-4/s400/IMGP9667Rogers&Whitetop.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking toward Virginia's two highest peaks, Mount Rogers and Whitetop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS40Y3YbuS70gv56ZuSVxZLjvuWjfLtaSxQRLtrZSg4QtrESrwuR2CKROjD0K4h_dC3cMFOYoHd6HQg9wcfY_0swplYrtRoNNTJiH0g_crK94aGBXCTh_SFTQ2Eq7nfTNcXfUDa623El4/s1600/IMGP9678Redoak+Ridge+rime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS40Y3YbuS70gv56ZuSVxZLjvuWjfLtaSxQRLtrZSg4QtrESrwuR2CKROjD0K4h_dC3cMFOYoHd6HQg9wcfY_0swplYrtRoNNTJiH0g_crK94aGBXCTh_SFTQ2Eq7nfTNcXfUDa623El4/s400/IMGP9678Redoak+Ridge+rime.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime on top of Redoak Ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlAsaumbKURD6dhKWJzGOFWUkAPts9lNWAa6EuT0QfgkQnilkQoNi4ZpwVVsRNoqa6DmYewfp7OhqSVu_jetaxAsda1Sz41XKvzRLjBPkiGS7F2Fk2zdMrzRVNzsj3xzF6JZgG8YaZ_s/s1600/IMGP9687rime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlAsaumbKURD6dhKWJzGOFWUkAPts9lNWAa6EuT0QfgkQnilkQoNi4ZpwVVsRNoqa6DmYewfp7OhqSVu_jetaxAsda1Sz41XKvzRLjBPkiGS7F2Fk2zdMrzRVNzsj3xzF6JZgG8YaZ_s/s320/IMGP9687rime.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little snow and rime up high.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
hike would actually make for an adventurous route to get to Balsam
Beartown (less than 1 mile away now) and even Hutchinson Rock, but
certainly not the easiest one. I decided to forego it this time though,
and bushwhacked down to Roaring Fork and back up onto the south end of
Chestnut Ridge. Then I made my way down into Poor Valley and began the
long roadwalk back to my vehicle, though I was lucky enough to catch a
ride the last mile or two. I can’t say I would recommend the latter part
of this hike to anyone unless they went to the effort to have a second
vehicle waiting at the Appalachian Trail parking lot in Poor Valley. In
that case, it could make for a long but awesome trek, potentially
including Balsam Beartown, Hutchinson Rock, The Swag, and the section of
the A.T. on Chestnut Ridge. Regardless of the longer option though, I
am already looking forward to eventually returning here with a friend to
once again walk the “Back of the Dragon”.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Clinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon/Clinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.050627,-81.47231&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
The route of this hike. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Clinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon/Clinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.050627,-81.47231&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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</div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My hike - 14.2 miles, 2,940' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To last good view (#29) and back - </span>4.6 <span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">miles</span>, 1,560' <span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/100160961763276678204/albums/5855625887916971073" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources:</span><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxza2VhTE1QMlVfb2c/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">gpx files and topos </span></a><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FClinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon%2FClinch%2520Mountain%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.048091,-79.628906&spn=6.05507,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FClinch%2520Mountain_Back%2520of%2520the%2520Dragon%2FClinch%2520Mountain%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=36.952175,-81.082893&sspn=0.11729,0.264187&ie=UTF8&t=p&ll=38.048091,-79.628906&spn=6.05507,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Trailhead coordinates:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">37.04104, -81.51839</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=37.04104,+-81.51839&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.027581,16.907959&t=m&z=17" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_A-NITqnG_Ovehq7nkW5IPw6MKjfoBUVS8TAoPcwPbd_e8m3cbTN8iXHysMw9EIdxaeDsTxTmExmwSSG7U9KMEZdeOFKKHYha7-p0HAnG0VsG5Y9WUkirFfn9roMyV7KUeDzcDTwdtI/s1600/qrcode.12193386ClinchMtn.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_A-NITqnG_Ovehq7nkW5IPw6MKjfoBUVS8TAoPcwPbd_e8m3cbTN8iXHysMw9EIdxaeDsTxTmExmwSSG7U9KMEZdeOFKKHYha7-p0HAnG0VsG5Y9WUkirFfn9roMyV7KUeDzcDTwdtI/s1600/qrcode.12193386ClinchMtn.png" /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>
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<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5637297197137154" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-21397391592210300922013-02-02T06:45:00.000-08:002013-05-27T12:32:00.769-07:00The Cascades and Butt Mountain - Waterfalls and Views<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUdfMnhRhrxb4k2b9cV-Ma6YR_F3FQu2BSoqGpHlstMIzyBzk3HU58-QlqTVRYpBBSzdgKMfPLE43HKRMF5ISAskogMo0pEdOirbdRG5gI2lj87bAl2WuQv7nESuCBh-IGIe7lrM0ZcA/s1600/IMGP9594Cascades.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUdfMnhRhrxb4k2b9cV-Ma6YR_F3FQu2BSoqGpHlstMIzyBzk3HU58-QlqTVRYpBBSzdgKMfPLE43HKRMF5ISAskogMo0pEdOirbdRG5gI2lj87bAl2WuQv7nESuCBh-IGIe7lrM0ZcA/s640/IMGP9594Cascades.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What
could be better than a hike with both an awesome waterfall and great
views? I had intended to do just that by visiting both these spots, The
Cascades and <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104142" target="_blank">Butt Mountain</a>, on the same hike. I changed my plans,
however, when the day to do the hike arrived. We were several days into
our coldest weather all winter, when temperatures had dropped to around
10° for the lows and the highs had stayed below freezing. It is always a
treat to see the Cascades frozen, even partially so, and something <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a> enjoys as much as I do. But combining the two destinations adds
up to a bit more mileage than she cares for, not to mention the
difficulty of the off-trail part of the hike below Barneys Wall I wanted
to do. So I decided to leave Butt Mountain for another time. Turns out
it was the next weekend, so I’m going to still include both hikes in a
combined post, albeit as two different hikes.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ll
start by saying that, in my opinion, The Cascades is probably the
finest waterfall in Virginia. Some may be higher, some may have more
volume, some may be just as beautiful - but none that I am aware of
combine all three so well, save possibly Falling Springs in Alleghany
County. But that one loses points for being roadside, rather than at the
end of a gorgeous creekside hike. That is how a visit to The Cascades
begins. A short distance up an old jeep road that forms the usual return
route, there is a bridge across Little Stony Creek that leads to the
beginning of a scenic two mile footpath right along the water’s edge.
There are large boulders, deep green pools, and small cascades all along
this pristine trout inhabited stream, and the trail is often inches
from it. There are also lots of wildflowers, though not in January. This
section of Little Stony Creek is contained within the walls of a
steep-sided gorge between Butt Mountain and Doe Mountain, but the
headwaters of the stream originate higher up in a large 3,000-4,000 foot
elevation basin bounded by those two mountains as well as by Big,
Potts, and Salt Pond Mountains, the latter is one of the highest peaks
in Virginia at 4,361’ above sea level. Mountain Lake, one of only two
natural lakes in Virginia, is also one of its sources. Having that large
drainage area above the gorge is what allows creek to already have a
respectable volume by the time it reaches waterfall topography.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">About
halfway to the main show, the trail crosses back to the north side of
the steam again. After climbing some presumably CCC era rock stairs, a
tributary stream spills off a cliff face, forming a sometimes impressive
wet weather falls. Today it was mostly a flow of clear ice, and it was
only around this point of the hike that we started to see significant
amounts of ice in the stream. Lower down, somewhat disappointingly, it
had been mostly open water with the only noticeable ice being around
turbulent sections where the resulting mist had frozen on surrounding
surfaces. Now things were looking more promising. Rather quickly now,
the stream became mostly frozen over with only channels of open water.</span><br /> </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJaG67F0vbGO8LPaqNCuSYQ0HmkBSIr2ao6VRoEwZ8IQoG9zOb3wH0QhQesDCMONTTuwdgYdbEqYBZ5CQIJUtB0nLMV3V6YUzm655IB4HIE9qhun23Q2mmW9Ggnp-iRHgjN8S_en_egc/s1600/IMGP9597icicles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJaG67F0vbGO8LPaqNCuSYQ0HmkBSIr2ao6VRoEwZ8IQoG9zOb3wH0QhQesDCMONTTuwdgYdbEqYBZ5CQIJUtB0nLMV3V6YUzm655IB4HIE9qhun23Q2mmW9Ggnp-iRHgjN8S_en_egc/s320/IMGP9597icicles.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icicles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Nearing
the falls, the opposite side of the creek becomes cliffbound once again
and a roar is heard ahead, then, suddenly, the falls themselves come
into view. The 68’ high cataract leaps over the brink and freefalls
about half that distance before crashing onto sloping rocks and fanning
out into a cascade twice as wide for the remaining half of the drop. The
water then merges into a huge, deep pool surrounded by high
amphitheater walls. It is an idyllic setting, but also one you are
unlikely to have to yourself unless you come early in the morning,
preferably on a weekday.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Today
huge icicles hung from the cliff walls surrounding the plunge pool and
from the edges of the falling water. The creek itself was still visible
as it made the leap into the air, but the lower cascading half was no
longer over rock. Now it was a solid mass of white ice, built up into a
mound several feet higher than the underlying bedrock. It was quite a
striking sight, in some ways just as awesome as in 2007(?) when there
was so much ice that no flowing water was visible and you could walk
halfway up the falls to the vertical columns of ice forming the upper
half. The pool at the bottom was only partially frozen over as well but
something about the combination of ice and liquid water added interest
and balance to the scene. It did not disappoint.</span> </span></span></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2yz71DQVtI0?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From
here, another trail leads up stairs and to the return route on the jeep
road. But you can go the other way on the jeep road and continue
upstream another 4/10 of a mile to a junction. A right turn here drops
back down to the creek just upstream of the 20’ high and less visited
Upper Cascades. While certainly not as impressive as the main falls,
they are still a pretty sight and considerably less well known. The
other thing you can do at this junction is bear left and uphill on the
Conservancy Trail for a mile or a little more to the top of the
spectacular cliffs of Barneys Wall. The view out is limited by higher
ridges but the view down into the gorge is very airy and exhilarating.
This same trail also provides a hiking route to the spectacular views of
Butt Mountain and Lookoff Rock. It continues up to a rough road that
leads an additional 1.7 miles to Butt Mountain. It is driveable but the
roughness keeps traffic very light, especially in Winter. This is the
hike I had intended to do along with The Cascades but put off until the
following weekend.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As
it turned out, there were a few days of heavy rain after this hike and
many of the local streams and rivers flooded in spectacular fashion.
When I decided to return here the following weekend, I found that the
Cascades trailhead and the trail itself were closed to public access. I
started trying to think of some other hikes nearby I could do. Among
others, Rice Field came to mind, as did exploring a couple of new
trails in the Mill Creek area of Pearis Mountain. But looking at the
map, I saw that there was a road that approached Butt Mountain from the
south and climbed up to around 2,500’. It ended on private property, but
only a short distance from the National Forest boundary. I figured it
couldn’t hurt to go take a look, and maybe knock on a door or two to ask
permission to access the public land from road’s end. Luck was on my
side. After I explained what I wanted to do and why, I was granted
permission to cross the property and continue my hike to the top of the
mountain. As it turned out, the lady of the house was a hiker herself
and had hiked up the mountain from here before. She have me some good
info on the route, and afterwards even went so far as to tell me that
they had bought the property so they could spend more time in the
mountains. She even told me that they wouldn’t have any problem with an
occasional hiker stopping by in the future to ask permission if I showed
the route I used in this post.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhI3bD8NDXKkwNev68Ep7jN6nNRQIdPeT7MI4d8VTSTjMkmALYe9aTUxFs-c69d9aLe6wIQTyfdR62buVpk_q-EQJpiwuC8X1mz-jB7mRjTqYrbv6NNRPglS1_SlcwTmECvFeQafJqlI/s1600/IMGP9598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhI3bD8NDXKkwNev68Ep7jN6nNRQIdPeT7MI4d8VTSTjMkmALYe9aTUxFs-c69d9aLe6wIQTyfdR62buVpk_q-EQJpiwuC8X1mz-jB7mRjTqYrbv6NNRPglS1_SlcwTmECvFeQafJqlI/s200/IMGP9598.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the large boulders at 3,900'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
hike wasn’t even a bushwhack like I had been expecting. There was an
old woods road that led all the way up to the broad plateau at 4,000’.
There wasn’t anything particularly exciting about this route, but it was
steep enough to be fun and a bit of a challenge, and certainly more
pleasant than walking two miles along the road on top. It’s not that
that route is particularly bad, just that walking on an open road where a
vehicle may drive by lacks appeal. There were also some impressively
large boulders around 3,900’ but I didn’t see any real views here. Of
course, I didn’t explore far off the trail either. Once on the plateau, I
turned left onto a lesser trail that led me over a small top that is
labeled as <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104160" target="_blank">Lookoff Rock</a> on some maps, notably the Trails Illustrated
Blacksburg/New River Valley topo. There is not any sort of a rock or
view here, nor anywhere close by, and I believe that it is labeled such
in error. The actual Lookoff Rock is almost certainly the flat-topped
cliffline on the summit of Butt Mountain, which this trail continues
about one-half mile farther to.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uNH9qvUyrRxtYiBu0YEvzjpOH6f3k91U3q-MtYMq1btr0KiBbpIY7Gl1NdQo2wGLyPDqsRGXlZt5kBMVBpUbbtm3Ob5jBjy2d6_EbY3NNp7Mo6Z8nSSiY3V096LgVmrtjEx4JAnnBj8/s1600/IMGP9605onButtMtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uNH9qvUyrRxtYiBu0YEvzjpOH6f3k91U3q-MtYMq1btr0KiBbpIY7Gl1NdQo2wGLyPDqsRGXlZt5kBMVBpUbbtm3Ob5jBjy2d6_EbY3NNp7Mo6Z8nSSiY3V096LgVmrtjEx4JAnnBj8/s400/IMGP9605onButtMtn.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lookoff Rock, with Pearis and East River Mountains in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn3XEGDi3gaSIDcizgyq_PeTgi7GDFwuK_k2KYPgRTr4WjsVGwefpWiXTxXYxagwoXBk3u-PHasNROO9qz5-hXqqKJ9d2Yr1OddJ1OJmNbFlUZXF1CNdC7mwdmuk1dc-cGqJKyRTM_Nk/s1600/IMGP9602Lookoff+Rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisn3XEGDi3gaSIDcizgyq_PeTgi7GDFwuK_k2KYPgRTr4WjsVGwefpWiXTxXYxagwoXBk3u-PHasNROO9qz5-hXqqKJ9d2Yr1OddJ1OJmNbFlUZXF1CNdC7mwdmuk1dc-cGqJKyRTM_Nk/s320/IMGP9602Lookoff+Rock.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butt Mountain cliffs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
4,200’ summit is the highest point on a sizable plateau-like area,
similar to many mountains in the Catskills. There is a dilapidated old
firetower still standing here, but the bottom two flights of stairs have
been removed and climbing it would be an iffy endeavor. It’s not a big
loss though. The nature of the topography is such that even if it was
safe to climb as in years past, the views in every direction but west
are somewhat underwhelming. The vista to the west and southwest however
is quite spectacular and the tower is not necessary for that. The
hundred yard long cliffline here allows wide open views in those
directions. Much of Virginia’s New River Valley is in sight and the
angle on Pearis Mountain is especially nice. These cliffs are made up of
layers of sandstone blocks and there is a really neat talus cave in one
area. It has an opening at the base of the cliffs but there is also a
15’ pit-like entrance right on the clifftop. Don’t fall into it! While
the visibility was quite good when I first got here, I actually watched
some of the mountains to the west disappear in the approaching snowstorm
and decided to head on down in case it got serious. It never did, but I
had gotten my hiking and peakbagging fix once again and explored a new
trail in the process.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Cascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mountain/Cascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mtn.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.362431,-80.602904&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Trails to the Cascades and Butt Mountain. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Cascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mountain/Cascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mtn.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.362431,-80.602904&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<iframe height="500px" src="http://caltopo.com//map?id=3T0V" width="500px"></iframe>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This map shows the National Forest boundary on the south slopes of Butt Mountain. The trail enters public lands first at around 3,000', then leaves it again before re-entering near the edge of the plateau. Permission is required to cross the private property at the lower part of this route. To view a larger map click <a href="http://caltopo.com//map?id=3T0V" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cascades - 4 miles round trip, 700' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Upper Cascades - add 1 mile round trip, add 200' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Butt Mountain from Cascades TH - 10.8 miles round trip, 2,040' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Butt Mountain from south - 5.8 miles round trip, 1,760' cumulative elevation gain</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesVA05?noredirect=1" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from Cascades hike</span></a><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ButtMountainVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Pictures from Butt Mountain hike</a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from other hikes to the Cascades and Butt Mountain</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesVA04?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2011 - The Cascades</a> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesVA03?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2010 - The Cascades</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesVA02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2010 - The Cascades </a> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2009 - The Cascades </a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ButtMtnVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">April 2009 - Butt Mountain </a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/TheCascadesBarneySWallVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">February 2008 - The Cascades and Barneys Wall</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/CascadesVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2007 - The Cascades</a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources and Contacts:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=73639" target="_blank">Jefferson National Forest Cascades page</a></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - Note - There is a $3 parking fee for the Cascades Day Use Area</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://media.gatewayva.com/sve/specials/happytrails/pages/cascades.htm" target="_blank">Happy Trails Cascades article</a> </span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxzYm8zT2tYN3Raa2s/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx and kml files, topo maps</a></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FCascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mountain%2FCascades%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=37.075724,-81.612282&sspn=0.234198,0.528374&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br /><small><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=https:%2F%2Fdl.dropboxusercontent.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FCascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mountain%2FCascades%2520TH.kml&aq=&sll=37.075724,-81.612282&sspn=0.234198,0.528374&t=p&ie=UTF8&ll=38.065392,-79.628906&spn=6.053642,9.338379&z=6" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small>
<br />
Trailhead coordinates:</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">37.3538,-80.59919</span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FCascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mountain%2FCascades%2520and%2520Butt%2520Mtn.kml&hl=en&sll=37.824103,-79.42392&sspn=1.854856,4.22699&t=m&z=15" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJXSUbBy5HG-BLm0g2YqaJzR9VQuXBqC_X6mvZm1s6UHHotJ6YTT56benHvbcH3q5YzBIJGlZzQvd4MIv6s1UOob6YdOzTALtDAimELPFjWrYzNMNKnolDu637DmA6IYxR1Kk_seRBUs/s1600/qrcode.12071609Cascades.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJXSUbBy5HG-BLm0g2YqaJzR9VQuXBqC_X6mvZm1s6UHHotJ6YTT56benHvbcH3q5YzBIJGlZzQvd4MIv6s1UOob6YdOzTALtDAimELPFjWrYzNMNKnolDu637DmA6IYxR1Kk_seRBUs/s1600/qrcode.12071609Cascades.png" /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.44364409471906197" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-90475913170536350972013-01-26T04:12:00.000-08:002014-04-13T22:39:04.328-07:00Sand Mountain and High Rocks - My Backyard Treasure<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQhruQ_x_yXH2pbk1fqN0Gf7crqk9zzzXySG9nBxT1e4KhmV8SnVbRRStMSZB7nsiGZXDi4gor61LYbfeaNFfCpWoTJlOQ95LqPLZmaBP8vpok3karZI_jXlyZ0ZgBs3K6NEJUHDvWLs/s1600/IMGP2783the+good+life.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQhruQ_x_yXH2pbk1fqN0Gf7crqk9zzzXySG9nBxT1e4KhmV8SnVbRRStMSZB7nsiGZXDi4gor61LYbfeaNFfCpWoTJlOQ95LqPLZmaBP8vpok3karZI_jXlyZ0ZgBs3K6NEJUHDvWLs/s640/IMGP2783the+good+life.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the good life on High Rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
is a saying that “if you’re lucky enough to be in the mountains, then
you’re lucky enough”. Well, I’m even lucky enough that I can look out
the window at home and see one of my favorite places in the mountains.
And I can be on a trail, headed there in five minutes. I will almost
certainly have it all to myself (as I did on my most recent visit)
because, seemingly, no one goes there. It must be a secret, hidden in
plain sight. This is a place that always lets me know where home is when
I’m on other mountaintops, because I can see it from quite a few other
peaks in the region. And when I’ve been farther away or on a longer
trip, I know the exact spots where it will first come into view, like a
beacon, and let me know I’m almost home.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE2ztYmfmoDpOEFBvVTax-j8Kf303OEiDUJ4jnn1TTb_8ftXNq1VR8K7AL2tL7AOCbRka3I1zdB7y5FFEXbMME6M2Q0NbQeqxkNNMEY5QEvQecQ27yfExNTGTzyc7Mb69reOVGY7UhI0/s1600/IMGP0406evening+light-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQE2ztYmfmoDpOEFBvVTax-j8Kf303OEiDUJ4jnn1TTb_8ftXNq1VR8K7AL2tL7AOCbRka3I1zdB7y5FFEXbMME6M2Q0NbQeqxkNNMEY5QEvQecQ27yfExNTGTzyc7Mb69reOVGY7UhI0/s320/IMGP0406evening+light-001.JPG" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My backyard view of Chimney Rocks, High Rocks, and Sand Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104346" target="_blank">Sand Mountain</a> rises to 3,721’ just south of the Wytheville town limits. It’s
summit is conspicuous because of the large microwave tower on top, but
on a sunny afternoon the brightly gleaming quartzite cliffs on the next,
slightly lower, rise to the east draw the eye even more. That is <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104388" target="_blank">High Rocks</a>, probably the most dramatic spot and best hike in Wythe County.
Then there is also an even lower outcropping of shining boulders that is
well known locally as <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104627" target="_blank">Chimney Rocks</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My
very first visits to all three of these wonderful places were nearly 35
years ago, back when I was in my early teens, and were with my good
friends Landon Miller and his dad Artie Miller, then with members of my Boy Scout troop. I spent a
lot of time on various parts of Sand Mountain back in those days and it
played a major role in cultivating my love of mountains. Mostly, this
was when I was getting hooked on hunting, something I haven’t done in
twenty years. But I remember always thinking it was a real adventure
anytime I got to visit one of these high spots and their sweeping views.
And they definitely made me appreciate clifftops and firetowers, and
fanned a desire to visit more.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jmG9Umo4bUPH_XfXn_LTGqAgr1nE5jNeevTJrEWE45q13XkQvMdfdkTMkyIKlYTOjKr02KqMKkB_UKcpEAAyi52YNFyV_tiDB7CGSFlJIkuJ8rHLg5QCUouZifxnUkio5fny6U0YI-Q/s1600/009SandMtnFiretower009_manipulated2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jmG9Umo4bUPH_XfXn_LTGqAgr1nE5jNeevTJrEWE45q13XkQvMdfdkTMkyIKlYTOjKr02KqMKkB_UKcpEAAyi52YNFyV_tiDB7CGSFlJIkuJ8rHLg5QCUouZifxnUkio5fny6U0YI-Q/s320/009SandMtnFiretower009_manipulated2.jpg" height="320" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Mountain firetower, now gone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
was a 60’ high firetower still standing on top of Sand Mountain in
those early years of my visits. The cab was always locked but you could
climb the steps up to it and enjoy what I thought at the time were some
of the grandest views imaginable, despite the large microwave tower
obstructing part of the view west. Sand Mountain isn’t the highest peak
in the county, but it is one of only two with over 1,000’ of prominence.
And it is the peak with the most isolation in the county, being over
nine miles away from any higher peak. Combined with the 360° panorama
that the tower allowed, I understand why I thought that back in the days
before I had ever travelled to bigger, grander mountainscapes. But even
now, I still appreciate and admire the views from the various rock
outcrops near the top. Alas, in the late 80’s the tower was removed in
the name of “progress” so that another microwave tower could be built.
But the actual site of the firetower remains empty to this day and I
still lament its loss. There used to be at least five firetowers in
Wythe County. Now only one remains. I think it is a sad thought indeed
that we have lost these wonderful relics of the past because they were
“in the way” or considered liabilities.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsbj-B8wJxQc8_Rj-IalKaMOAUrSb3TVPXU4Hx_7Ics7dSLmu8FnLkuw3byvm1hnvMgNDA32kLG4vDc9ol4aAyFoL-8h5O7-rTFT5QoLC1WCCV618hbav9b5rIvcbHWo44-cpHH6vVIA/s1600/IMGP9168Leanne+on+Sand+Mtn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsbj-B8wJxQc8_Rj-IalKaMOAUrSb3TVPXU4Hx_7Ics7dSLmu8FnLkuw3byvm1hnvMgNDA32kLG4vDc9ol4aAyFoL-8h5O7-rTFT5QoLC1WCCV618hbav9b5rIvcbHWo44-cpHH6vVIA/s320/IMGP9168Leanne+on+Sand+Mtn.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The southern overlook on Sand Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
I want to celebrate what remains rather than agonize over what has been
lost. Despite the cluster of towers on top of Sand Mountain, it remains
a very worthy place to hike. The easiest way to get there is via the
gated access road to the towers, a moderate two mile hike. Well, one
final lament. This road used to be a bit more appealing, being little
more than a narrow, rocky jeep trail and heavily shaded. This too got
“improved” just a few years ago by grading and widening it, and trimming
back the trees. But already it shows signs of reverting to its former,
more appealing self as the coarse gravel washes away, ruts and rocks
reappear, and the trees grow back. There are some powerline marred
westward views behind you on the final steep push to the top, but better
views are just ahead. Walking a few yards past the summit benchmark ,
strangely stamped “High Rocks”, there is a nice, open ledge on the right
that provides a near 180° view to the southeast, south, and southwest.
Immediately below is the uninhabited valley of Venrick Run, a.k.a. Pump
Hollow. There is another trail in that valley, in the Crystal Springs Recreation Area, that provides an alternate, perhaps more aesthetic
route to the top. Rising above that valley’s other side is Lick
Mountain. Farther off in the distance, it is possible to see Buffalo
Mountain in Floyd County, though it might require having to lean out a
bit. More in view though is a long stretch of the higher Iron Mountains,
with higher still Point Lookout and Buck Mountains peeking over them.
Off to the south<span style="font-family: inherit;">west is Glade Mountain and the Mount Rogers High
Country. On a really clear day, Mount Rogers looks almost close enough
to touch, though it’s really almost 35 miles away.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> </span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGyMilHkst6AyXIWGNntlqnRc37AyBv7asO693Ol8A1u0rtpfxQa2LqqsztCyuJU-U2s6c2AddqHp3P_UP0FihjZ-MlWIqJpvODtCrCPS5YIMwZ-jrhbN10IJcwk-uKiAR1zvxnzmGRA/s1600/P1300087_Tommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGyMilHkst6AyXIWGNntlqnRc37AyBv7asO693Ol8A1u0rtpfxQa2LqqsztCyuJU-U2s6c2AddqHp3P_UP0FihjZ-MlWIqJpvODtCrCPS5YIMwZ-jrhbN10IJcwk-uKiAR1zvxnzmGRA/s320/P1300087_Tommy.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The northern overlook on Sand Mountain. Photo by Tommy Bell</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The
other great view up here is less friendly and a lot harder to get to,
but equally worthwhile if not more so. This outcrop is not visible from
the top, but is hidden about 75 yards north of the summit. It doesn’t
have a name on the map, though I have heard it referred to as Buzzard
Rock. The most direct way there is to drop down the steep hillside from
about halfway between the large microwave tower and the summit, headed
north and perpendicular to the crest of the mountain. There is no trail.
After about 25 yards the ground flattens out on a small saddle. Keep
going directly away from the top of the mountain while staying on the
highest ground possible and the terrain will rise a few feet at some
small rock outcrops. A few more steps and there is another very steep
bank that drops off abruptly about 20-25 feet. Some helpful person has
tied a blue rope to the rhododendron here. It’s not absolutely needed,
but it does make the slope easier, especially if the ground is wet or
snow covered. If you went down backwards, turn 90° to your right when
you reach the small flat spot at the bottom of the bank. Take a few
steps beside the rock outcrop now on your left and turn 90° right again
and scramble up on the rocks a few yards in front of you. It’s a small,
narrow perch, not really conducive to lounging, and you wouldn’t want to
fall here - but the view is another wonderful 180° panorama, this one
extending from west to north to east. Wytheville is laid out directly
below in the Great Valley, while Chimney Rocks and High Rocks are nearby
to the right. Farther off is Walker Mountain and the higher massif of
Clinch Mountain. It’s a great spot, but not as great as High Rocks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16Roch_J_0mookfhKR1ulZxkQGWsF6LKvJ2JaN0IeAhCiv6rwZOyxipDfcJZlcPxNztRy4wI-fTAE3CH7icyJbQz9u3BmCdugSbGwauE9hv-SHpYH8W6jMjXX5Zw_8S77EV302LXlCc/s1600/IMGP9562rime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16Roch_J_0mookfhKR1ulZxkQGWsF6LKvJ2JaN0IeAhCiv6rwZOyxipDfcJZlcPxNztRy4wI-fTAE3CH7icyJbQz9u3BmCdugSbGwauE9hv-SHpYH8W6jMjXX5Zw_8S77EV302LXlCc/s320/IMGP9562rime.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rime and Wytheville from the northern overlook on Sand Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Back
on top, it is a fairly simple matter to follow a faint path along the
crest of the mountain, connecting the paint splotches of the boundary
line between Town of Wytheville and DGIF property for 3/10 of a mile
east until you drop down into a saddle and rise slightly again to hit
the High Rocks trail. Turn right and continue another 100 yards or so to
the top.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
if that is your only goal, or if you wish to visit Chimney Rocks, it is
easier to start at another trailhead, where Route 640 (Broadway Road)
crosses the top of Sand Mountain at about the 3,140’ elevation. A good
trail leads 1 ½ miles to High Rocks, most of it easy - although there
are two short steep sections. Just past the top of the first steep
section, and just shy of the 1 mile mark, the flat saddle between Point
3563 and High Rocks is the best jumping off point for a 6/10 mile long
off-trail visit to Chimney Rocks. While there is a good trail up to
Chimney Rocks from below, it starts on private property with no public
access. It also basically ends at the rocks, though an intermittent
faint path continues toward the High Rocks trail and the jumping off
point above. Be forewarned that it is easy to veer off course when going
to Chimney Rocks from above. The ridge is broad and the route goes
north partway before veering northwest. If you don’t do this to stay on
the direct ridgeline, you will miss the rocks completely and continue
dropping off the mountain. Map and compass skills would be helpful, and a
gps makes it easy. Chimney Rocks is more of a big boulder pile than a
cliff, and it is possible to do a little scrambling around here while
also taking in the great views which are quite similar to those from
Buzzard Rocks, though a bit less expansive because of being some 300’
lower.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLsiA41RYth5v8K8SMs4aL1qMrSV9zZ2L7wlY4lvn-u8e0r8kN6Bc9eauj7DyOjXuM1fbMCZ0wzfRMn_0FwQpjkz0eegBkoKfuqovCZGqRRDL6mlvuoOAW6RRS97bxc3ZXL623ywDsm4/s1600/IMGP3933Leanne+at+Chimney+Rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLsiA41RYth5v8K8SMs4aL1qMrSV9zZ2L7wlY4lvn-u8e0r8kN6Bc9eauj7DyOjXuM1fbMCZ0wzfRMn_0FwQpjkz0eegBkoKfuqovCZGqRRDL6mlvuoOAW6RRS97bxc3ZXL623ywDsm4/s320/IMGP3933Leanne+at+Chimney+Rocks.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne </a>scrambling up Chimney Rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
High Rocks still awaits. From the one mile mark on the trail, continue
another three or four tenths of a mile on a flat terrace bordered by
much Catawba rhododendron, mountain laurel, and both pink and flame
azaleas. At the right time, in late May and early June, this is a
colorful display of pink, purple, white, and orange floral beauty, as is
the entire trail. If you look carefully, you just might spot one or two
pink ladyslippers as well. The trail leads directly beneath High Rocks
near its end, then does a U-turn into the gap between High Rocks and
Sand Mountain before making one final steep climb up the back side of
the rocks. It’s an easy walk-up onto the top of the rocks and one of the
nicest spots around this little part of the world, with grandstand
views and gnarled pines. It’s also a long way down to the ground off the
precipitous north side!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By
moving around a bit, it is possible to see an open arc of almost 270°
from these gleaming quartzite cliffs. The wildest scene is looking
southwest, ignoring the nearby towers on Sand Mountain. With the
exception of a couple of distant powerline towers and a small farm or
two, there is no sign of civilization, not even a road. There is only
forest and mountains in sight, culminating in the 5,729’ top of Virginia
on Mount Rogers, flanked by its companions of Wilburn Ridge and
Whitetop. Even more so than here, that high country is probably my
favorite place in Virginia and maybe even the entire Southeast. There is
something appealing about being able to see one favorite and special
place from another.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlvZJsOidZr3MRtw__Reln4OVYqPdENAl-iZAaA4mn0SF2fvKs9-__xlccRXW7B3bQ6EVI7lDcsHvQA90LSkJJZnog-2tnfztvYamDW7kI12KYy39c9H56dDzOFCMGHxG6vDXTyd3y1w/s1600/IMGP6899the+trail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlvZJsOidZr3MRtw__Reln4OVYqPdENAl-iZAaA4mn0SF2fvKs9-__xlccRXW7B3bQ6EVI7lDcsHvQA90LSkJJZnog-2tnfztvYamDW7kI12KYy39c9H56dDzOFCMGHxG6vDXTyd3y1w/s320/IMGP6899the+trail.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhododendron in bloom along the trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
there are other special places in sight too, like Chestnut Knob and
Clinch Mountain. Wytheville is again laid out below in its valley, and
Fort Chiswell is also in sight beyond the dramatic cliff face a couple
dozen yards away. Much of the Iron Mountains are in sight, along with
Point Lookout and Buck Mountains. So are Big Walker Mountain, Cove
Mountain, Draper Mountain, even Bald Knob which is the massif that holds
The Cascades and Mountain Lake some 45 miles away. Chimney Rocks is
visible 300’ lower and ½ mile due north. Much of the mountain land
immediately around is protected and publicly accessible as part of
either the 7,500 acre Big Survey Wildlife Management Area </span><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">(access permit needed)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
or the 1,800 acre Crystal Springs Recreation Area owned by the Town of
Wytheville. I’ve been to this spot well over 100 times and I never get
tired of it. I’ve been here on perfect Spring and Fall days, I’ve been
here on hot, muggy days to enjoy the breeze, I’ve been here on bitter
cold days with a foot of snow when you can see who knows how far, I’ve
been here in the clouds when you couldn’t even see 100 yards but when
the trees were coated with rime, I’ve walked up here just to clear my
mind and think, I’ve watched glorious sunrises and sunsets from here,
I’ve been here with friends and loved ones many times and I’ve been here
alone many more times. And I intend to be here many more times in the
future.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy6vGQGDBI2HrpV_weHhND5GqcSpWk9AsONerp22YPC6gCnNobHptdGknsj7YBJ8xB071rOE__JHHh2QnDHi6Qg3wAa7c_HhLQz4ApbGna9gIz2UtabVTGaNpeWnZsRVPSzHVdZvgtaA/s1600/IMGP7033Mt+Rogers+at+sunset+from+High+Rocks-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdy6vGQGDBI2HrpV_weHhND5GqcSpWk9AsONerp22YPC6gCnNobHptdGknsj7YBJ8xB071rOE__JHHh2QnDHi6Qg3wAa7c_HhLQz4ApbGna9gIz2UtabVTGaNpeWnZsRVPSzHVdZvgtaA/s400/IMGP7033Mt+Rogers+at+sunset+from+High+Rocks-001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mount Rogers at sunset from High Rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj_uPZup3ym8fWpI2bdjlAEBuAZeQ1gosEO-BcS-UaCk4RL9nZ3iPlAraBv2OyaSk1C6ISurzNsbr7GlH_MY3UvtMjw41sM-gY1wo-9dawEahNXK3DnEo3tOUfXDMFaFqSWwYcM0mcWk/s1600/IMGP2792Leanne+on+High+Rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBj_uPZup3ym8fWpI2bdjlAEBuAZeQ1gosEO-BcS-UaCk4RL9nZ3iPlAraBv2OyaSk1C6ISurzNsbr7GlH_MY3UvtMjw41sM-gY1wo-9dawEahNXK3DnEo3tOUfXDMFaFqSWwYcM0mcWk/s640/IMGP2792Leanne+on+High+Rocks.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Rocks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVWkdiTZ5COrYbP5s1k1TQ50qB8wU6I0t3WsWsdbtKaUcwfoEHAXYKg2-3eFwSaKj4383iQQJUeFXRgEOcyY_Revz1b15BkD01tirKKeVEDc6OYZZxtTaZmv8iRyI__LXee_elyEH8sQ/s1600/IMG_0185(Jeff).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVWkdiTZ5COrYbP5s1k1TQ50qB8wU6I0t3WsWsdbtKaUcwfoEHAXYKg2-3eFwSaKj4383iQQJUeFXRgEOcyY_Revz1b15BkD01tirKKeVEDc6OYZZxtTaZmv8iRyI__LXee_elyEH8sQ/s640/IMG_0185(Jeff).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tommy Bell and me on High Rocks. Photo by Jeff Simmons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50AQ2dZJE5ot9Zv5RxWgIvLB8ZSeTDjh0re7BJtoziLefeODwtMW2KLt6S2u5SowLjMHjGZfJ0d4dbI51bW2I_lMdsBgE7H9Gx9eBjKVY_1EtIJaK37z2C3BTcAj5f0NZZsk9gimJs70/s1600/IMGP7945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50AQ2dZJE5ot9Zv5RxWgIvLB8ZSeTDjh0re7BJtoziLefeODwtMW2KLt6S2u5SowLjMHjGZfJ0d4dbI51bW2I_lMdsBgE7H9Gx9eBjKVY_1EtIJaK37z2C3BTcAj5f0NZZsk9gimJs70/s640/IMGP7945.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/111087835550262936546" target="_blank">+Peter Barr</a> on High Rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3607273309293536" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
is one more significant thing about this spot. At the end of the trail,
just behind the rocks, there is a small granite bench - a memorial to a
really good friend of mine, as well as of many, many others. I worked
at the local newspaper for several years with a great guy by the name of
Sam Slemp. He was the photographer during his years there. Everyone
loved Sam and I’m getting choked up as I write this. He was one of the
friendliest and smartest people you could ever hope to meet. Always a
wry comment with a smile and a chuckle, Sam regularly walked on Sand
Mountain with his beloved dogs Bogey and Miss Daisy. He died too young
of a heart attack while on the job, covering an event at the town park
in Wytheville. Afterwards, a group of us from work and elsewhere got
permission from the DGIF to place a small memorial to him at one of his
favorite places. We took up donations and had a bench made and
transported up here. It’s top is inscribed with these words:</span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">SAM SLEMP</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1954 - 2003</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FRIEND TO MAN, DOG AND MOTHER NATURE</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Every time I see the bench I am reminded that I still miss him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Qn3blf9sVxHDe4WFFzNlfpR_yOKTvBKOUptQlpTXBMqjJp6H7gvQQMEBSnJ-TZC1Fvjbn0aZ0sAztLvadtt6ITsaB1PpC5gEdgDrxI_yGJKYJhy2hdKqdOKfQfeHpguLOkdTZUk0Fc/s1600/014SamSlempMemorialBench014-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_Qn3blf9sVxHDe4WFFzNlfpR_yOKTvBKOUptQlpTXBMqjJp6H7gvQQMEBSnJ-TZC1Fvjbn0aZ0sAztLvadtt6ITsaB1PpC5gEdgDrxI_yGJKYJhy2hdKqdOKfQfeHpguLOkdTZUk0Fc/s320/014SamSlempMemorialBench014-001.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">How
this whole area was protected for all to enjoy is worth a brief
mention. When the State of Virginia acquired it in 2001, it was one of
the larger remaining tracts of relatively pristine, family-owned land in
the state. It had been pretty heavily posted for years prior to that
and had no real public access. Much of it had been leased by the Matney
Flats Hunting Club and I had access to it through membership, but when
the club went defunct so did my access for several years. I was pretty
excited about it when it became known that an opportunity for Virginia
to purchase it as a wildlife management area had arisen. There is an
article about it by the Western Virginia Land Trust </span><a href="http://www.westernvirginialandtrust.org/green/articles/big-survey-dedicated-for-future-generations/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.
I am forever grateful that everything worked out due to the hard work
of the many individuals involved and parties involved. Now it is
available for all to enjoy, even though I rarely see anyone there.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9693473145843642" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Another
note on Sam that I just found out about - while many were involved in protecting the Big Survey, he was one of the first people
to help. Local environmental activist Liza Field heard
that a timber agent was discussing deals with the Shaeffer family about
logging and developing the property. Sam had just fixed Liza’s camera
and she told him that she needed to get photos quickly, to assemble a
slide show to take to the Western Virginia Land Trust director, Virginia
Outdoors Foundation, and others. He said "Oh, I've always loved the Big
Survey. Can </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">go?"
In Liza’s words “Sam took entire slide trays of excellent photos. It
was his photos that blew away Rupert Cutler, the land trust director who
let me show him the slides in his basement. From there, we sent his
photos to Natural Heritage division of DCR. Every critical juncture
involved in getting help (and you would not believe how many sources
needed to be convinced to help, when all the local authorities said it
could not be done and was too "ambitious") involved Sam Slemp's photos.” Thanks Sam!</span><br /> </span></span><br />
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Sand%2520Mtn_High%2520Rocks_Chimney%2520Rocks/Sand%2520Mtn_High%2520Rocks_Chimney%2520Rocks.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.907009,-81.071806&z=15&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
Trails and routes to Sand Mountain, High Rocks, and Chimney Rocks. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Sand%2520Mtn_High%2520Rocks_Chimney%2520Rocks/Sand%2520Mtn_High%2520Rocks_Chimney%2520Rocks.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.907009,-81.071806&z=15&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Hike Stats:<br />
Sand Mountain via Towers Road - 4 miles round trip, 1,250' elevation gain<br />
Sand Mountain via Rocky Road Trail - 5 miles round trip, 1,300' elevation gain<br />
High Rocks from Sand Mountain - add 8/10 mile round trip, 320' cumulative elevation gain<br />
High Rocks via High Rocks Trail - 3 miles round trip, 600' cumulative elevation gain<br />
Chimney Rocks from High Rocks Trail - add 1.2 miles round trip, 240' cumulative elevation gain<br />
<br />
Pictures from hikes to Sand Mountain, High Rocks, and Chimney Rocks:<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainAndHighRocksVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2013 - Sand Mountain and High Rocks (rime) </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA08?noredirect=1" target="_blank">December 2012 - Sand Mountain </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainSunsetVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">August 2012 - Sand Mountain at sunset</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA09?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2012 - High Rocks (sunset)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA08?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2012 - High Rocks (flowers)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA07?noredirect=1" target="_blank">November 2011 - High Rocks (sunset)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA06?noredirect=1" target="_blank">October 2011 - High Rocks</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA07?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2011 - Sand Mountain (above the clouds) </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksAndSandMountainVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2011 - High Rocks and Sand Mountain (flowers)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA05?noredirect=1" target="_blank">October 2010 - High Rocks (sunset)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/OnTheATWithPeterAndSandMountainVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2010 - Sand Mountain and High Rocks</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA06?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2010 - Sand Mountain</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksChimneyRocksVA02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">August 2009 - High Rocks and Chimney Rocks</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA04?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2009 - High Rocks </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainAndChimneyRocksVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">May 2009 - Chimney Rocks (flowers)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMtnVA02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">April 2009 - Sand Mountain </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">March 2009 - Sand Mountain (above the clouds)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMtnVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">March 2009 - Sand Mountain (rime)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">January 2009 - Sand Mountain</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksChimneyRocksVA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">December 2008 - High Rocks and Chimney Rock</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA03?noredirect=1" target="_blank">August 2008 - High Rocks (sunset) </a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocksVA02?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2008 - High Rocks</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/HighRocks1VA?noredirect=1" target="_blank">June 2007 - High Rocks (flowers)</a><br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainBigSurveyVAArchives?noredirect=1" target="_blank">Scanned pics from before 2007</a> (sunsets, flowers, firetower)<br />
<br />
Resources and Contacts:<br />
<a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/" target="_blank">DGIF Access Permit Info </a><br />
<a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=20" target="_blank">DGIF Big Survey WMA page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt/site.asp?trail=2&loop=MBW&site=MBW01" target="_blank">DGIF Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail page </a><br />
<a href="http://rec.wytheville.org/crystalsprings.php" target="_blank">Town of Wytheville Crystal Springs Recreation Area page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=625749&confirm_post=7" target="_blank">My SummitPost page for these hikes </a><br />
<a href="http://media.gatewayva.com/sve/specials/happytrails/pages/rocks.htm" target="_blank">Happy Trails High Rocks article by Sam Slemp</a><br />
<a href="http://media.gatewayva.com/sve/specials/happytrails/pages/sndmtn.htm" target="_blank">Happy Trails Sand Mountain article by Sam Slemp </a><br />
<a href="http://www.westernvirginialandtrust.org/green/articles/big-survey-dedicated-for-future-generations/" target="_blank">Western Virginia Land Trust article about Big Survey protection</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxzN2tOSDZvZVdIbG8/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx and kml files, topo maps</a><br />
<br />
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Trailhead coordinates:<br />
Towers Road 36.91555,-81.08809<br />
Crystal Springs/Rocky Road Trail 36.89995,-81.09311<br />
High Rocks Trail 36.90643,-81.04243<br />
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<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-38984856340427492782013-01-13T19:20:00.000-08:002013-02-11T04:14:27.648-08:00Peak 2900 - The Other Peak On Short Hills<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeckBgHhnBvufcqomBzzzbI36BCdb07e40DnyW7JhGRNIzyOagC6mUN_cygPGCLLzGs3X5Wxjj49MpBP404IA57ZqqpbaNdp_EOjOrMMROQJk-u84NrD2oPkIgoG4l0PShqOdTzzSajjs/s1600/IMG_2056Peak2900+summit_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeckBgHhnBvufcqomBzzzbI36BCdb07e40DnyW7JhGRNIzyOagC6mUN_cygPGCLLzGs3X5Wxjj49MpBP404IA57ZqqpbaNdp_EOjOrMMROQJk-u84NrD2oPkIgoG4l0PShqOdTzzSajjs/s640/IMG_2056Peak2900+summit_Dave.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephanie on the summit of Peak 2900. Photo by Dave Socky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Where
is Short Hills? Well, Short Hills is the somewhat uninspiring name of a
10 mile long mountain in the Valley and Ridge province of Botetourt
County, Virginia. True to its name, it’s not particularly high, even by
Virginia standards - the high point that anchors its southwest end is
only 3,217’ in elevation. That makes it rank as the 361st highest in the
state - not very impressive. It makes up for this in other ways.
Statistically, it has nearly 1,400’ of prominence. That gives it a more
respectable ranking of 39th most prominent in the Old Dominion, more
than all but 17 of the state’s peaks over 4,000’ in elevation. It also
has some unusual topography. From this high point, the southwestern half
of the massif forks into two parallel ridgelines a half mile apart that
extend northeastward for miles with a shallow, gently descending 200’
deep valley between them. At the end of that five miles the valley floor
drops more abruptly into the surrounding lowlands, forming a hanging
valley of sorts. But perhaps best of all, at least to my thinking, are
the two spectacular viewpoints near the summit. Along with my buddy <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107181476732555441998" target="_blank">+David Socky</a> and a friend of his, <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/103156096015016062646" target="_blank">+Tommy Tracy</a> , we did a hike here soon
after the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries had bought it as their
newest wildlife management area and established a public access point.
That was back in October of 2010. Despite some difficulties with dense
mountain laurel and steep terrain, that was a great hike, one I’ll
definitely do again one of these days. In addition to the views, we also
found a boggy area with grass-of-parnassus in bloom - a lovely flower I
had only seen in the Smokies before. And we also saw a bear. Some of
the pics are posted </span><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/ShortHillsVA" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But
where is Peak 2900, and what does that have to do with Short Hills?
Well, it is the only other <a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/glossary.html#Rank" target="_blank">ranked</a> peak on the Short Hills massif, and is
about five miles northeast of the higher summit. It is unnamed, and
therefore designated only by its elevation. We, or at least I, had hoped
to get to it on the hike in 2010. Things didn’t work out and we didn’t
get that far, but I have kept it in mind ever since, partially just to
be able to say I’ve been there, and partially to discover some more
potential views. In particular, there is a large outcropping of bare
rock about 1 ½ miles northeast of the summit that I’ve been hoping to
get to.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuzLm-KwBrHslhBnDsstymk9ooSRj3fk04RdbnN7Qxnsjylj0eTqj2bisKaOoaR9XX8cvKxYQ5mhr3BIexoNZ5kcT_SqD6rRmRIDoKaoiYchRPgjk8c6cL4Rfk_2yMYwFBJgO02tkaQ4/s1600/IMGP9506steepclimb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuzLm-KwBrHslhBnDsstymk9ooSRj3fk04RdbnN7Qxnsjylj0eTqj2bisKaOoaR9XX8cvKxYQ5mhr3BIexoNZ5kcT_SqD6rRmRIDoKaoiYchRPgjk8c6cL4Rfk_2yMYwFBJgO02tkaQ4/s320/IMGP9506steepclimb.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off-trail and headed up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A
free day arrived and I met up with Dave and also <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/108061690603090309396" target="_blank">+Stephanie Petri</a> to
give it a try. We headed up the same way that we had descended last
time, on an old woods road that makes it to within about 3/10 mile of
the southern ridgeline. Then the route climbs steeply off-trail to gain
the last 400’ of elevation. But up to this point, it was easy walking
even with a little snow on the ground higher up. And we also had the
good fortune to see a pair of coyotes as we hiked up the old road. They
crossed it about 75 yards ahead of us, and I don’t think they ever did
see us. About 100’ below the crest, and just above a short, steep
scramble, we found a small outcrop with some great views to the south.
These pale in comparison, however, to the essentially 360° views from a
much larger outcrop we found on the ridgeline a little farther northeast
the last time we were here.</span></span><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0427RToWCGNv8H8GXSHrQuMfs17hzsbv2_PUPcG97IKQC9Q1ooXNvQOdsjNWirwmZRVSlskOtBvzA04kguQK3fDi3mHajALty5FYTSYjEWL2Qnd4nOYo4h16pV1RnEg2ehyphenhyphenjSBKWxKk/s1600/IMGP9516PeaksOfOtter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0427RToWCGNv8H8GXSHrQuMfs17hzsbv2_PUPcG97IKQC9Q1ooXNvQOdsjNWirwmZRVSlskOtBvzA04kguQK3fDi3mHajALty5FYTSYjEWL2Qnd4nOYo4h16pV1RnEg2ehyphenhyphenjSBKWxKk/s320/IMGP9516PeaksOfOtter.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peaks of Otter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This
large rock has a splendid panorama of the Blue Ridge with the pointed
peak of Sharp Top especially conspicuous. But it also has a good view of
the Short Hills highpoint as well as of Peak 2900.</span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
To the north, with the exception of House Mountain, you can’t see
beyond the higher ridgeline across the high valley of Cedar Creek, but
there is a good view of much of that valley. This is also where
Stephanie got blown off a cliff by a violent 100 mph gust of wind. O.K.,
maybe a slight exaggeration. Maybe a big exaggeration. Actually, we
don’t know what happened. It was very windy though, and the rocks were
covered with snow. As Stephanie was clambering about on them, only a few
feet away from me, she suddenly pitched off backwards as I watched
helplessly. It was about a six foot drop, but fortunately the low shrubs
on the ground, as well as her pack, broke her fall very nicely. Either
that, or she is exceptionally tough! She walked away from it with
nothing more than a hole in her pants leg and a nice little scrape. And
no idea of just how it had happened.</span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlHxCKGhENlCAhp6Ov6-AZRuIubQQmuEFbmjE33s627cgy-ULaouiw66rZAoYDzfXrQMluZ5VO6H80R3pyBfr8JKeujzdivCqcP14pc8njmbbs1rBbzVqJc-q2THK__ZwlxtQdY3-ArI/s1600/IMG_2066damage_Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUlHxCKGhENlCAhp6Ov6-AZRuIubQQmuEFbmjE33s627cgy-ULaouiw66rZAoYDzfXrQMluZ5VO6H80R3pyBfr8JKeujzdivCqcP14pc8njmbbs1rBbzVqJc-q2THK__ZwlxtQdY3-ArI/s320/IMG_2066damage_Dave.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushwhacking damage!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After
enjoying the views sufficiently, we dropped down to Cedar Creek,
rockhopped across, and climbed up to the higher northern ridge. There
were a few blowdowns and briars, and no trail, but for the most part it
was fairly easy travelling over the next two miles to our summit. There
were a number of spots I had noticed on Google Earth where I had hoped
there might be a view, but most were surrounded by trees. One or two
small outcrops had open enough views to be worth taking a couple of
pictures from though.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXEhSdZTahyphenhyphenj-s1bNnYzDNQR6AR0FtL8P9Cg4fCFYqnqQByBc3pl8xYSgjsOx1nse_WShCCCuOfrqzWVKVKOZcMP_YnBbtCOu5SKsU-05Ibjf3tUQa2QIwdhlLDTNNpbgg7WqAjWn-uo/s1600/IMGP9522action+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXEhSdZTahyphenhyphenj-s1bNnYzDNQR6AR0FtL8P9Cg4fCFYqnqQByBc3pl8xYSgjsOx1nse_WShCCCuOfrqzWVKVKOZcMP_YnBbtCOu5SKsU-05Ibjf3tUQa2QIwdhlLDTNNpbgg7WqAjWn-uo/s320/IMGP9522action+shot.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dave crossing Cedar Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Soon
enough, but not quite soon enough, we made it to the top. We had been
under some time constraints, and were not early enough to continue to
the rock I had hoped to reach. But, fortunately, there was a small
opening at an outcrop on the top that offered a splendid view to the
northeast, really the only good view we had had in that direction. And
it got better. There was a considerably larger series of outcrops
visible a couple hundred feet away and a short distance down the north
slope. It was a bear of a little bushwhack through rhododendron and
greenbriar to get to them, but mercifully short. The reward would have
been worth a good bit more difficulty and a little blood. The outcrops
allowed for a wide-open 180° view that swept from southwest to north to
northeast. The views at the two extremes were especially nice, with
Sugarloaf and Grassy Mountains dominating to the southwest. Possibly
even better was the scene northeast of Big and Little House Mountains,
Big Butt and Jump Mountains, and a distant Elliot Knob crowning Great
North Mountain.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkg6FPdDvuaQPyUIir2zViu3lWovkP6LjI2SntNze-YohmnxVo44FX_fUukAA1haEPE9j6vEyf7wIRHWtxFZt31GZ7QTnfivz55kP9WD6J8yGzqeCFpn3tMqeOHmFl_ofOE4rS0nnR1c/s1600/IMGP9542from+Peak+2900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkg6FPdDvuaQPyUIir2zViu3lWovkP6LjI2SntNze-YohmnxVo44FX_fUukAA1haEPE9j6vEyf7wIRHWtxFZt31GZ7QTnfivz55kP9WD6J8yGzqeCFpn3tMqeOHmFl_ofOE4rS0nnR1c/s400/IMGP9542from+Peak+2900.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big and Little House Mountains, Big Butt, Elliot Knob, and Jump Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdk_25EQWle0n0uYZpamexMLZTZ4YYrcCxUCUqOePTn2lIpKpHl58it63IKR4QmeP-ZM3sET-2tAxdfJp_CuPq_C94F4uqJfJfe2LnUSIQFO6y8yDoWGFTBUDNvyanKdUnVItW7_snEI/s1600/IMGP9529SugarloafAndGrassy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdk_25EQWle0n0uYZpamexMLZTZ4YYrcCxUCUqOePTn2lIpKpHl58it63IKR4QmeP-ZM3sET-2tAxdfJp_CuPq_C94F4uqJfJfe2LnUSIQFO6y8yDoWGFTBUDNvyanKdUnVItW7_snEI/s400/IMGP9529SugarloafAndGrassy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugarloaf and Grassy Mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">From
here we backtracked a mile or so, and crossed Cedar Creek farther
downstream. It was quite thick and steep near the stream, on both sides,
possibly the hardest travel of the day. Fortunately, the worst part was
only about a quarter of a mile long. Then we hit a road on the ridge
that hugs the boundary of the state lands and joins up with an older
road that we were able to follow all the way back to the trailhead. And I
still have a reason to go back again - to explore the last few miles of
the ridgeline and get to those rocks.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Note - hiking on Virginia Wildlife Management Areas requires either a valid state hunting or fishing license, or a daily or annual access permit. See the link below under Resources for more info. </span></span><br />
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Peak%25202900/Peak%25202900.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.661401,-79.599466&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The route of the hike to Peak 2900. To see a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Peak%25202900/Peak%25202900.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=37.661401,-79.599466&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11.2 miles</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2,120' cumulative elevation gain</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.10364374046685843" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<table style="width: 194px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="background: url(https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left; height: 194px;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak2900VA?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite"><img height="160" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hMekBP3q7m8/UQ7-PyzpTvE/AAAAAAAAug0/kQ6KQk7f518/s160-c/Peak2900VA.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0 0 4px;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak2900VA?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Peak 2900, VA</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/Peak2900VA?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank">Pictures from this hike</a></span></span><br />
<br />
Resources:<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxzenFKYnpxMF9KRmM/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx files and topos</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=40" target="_blank">DGIF Short Hills page</a><br />
<a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/" target="_blank">WMA Access Permit info</a><br />
<br />
Trailhead coordinates:<br />
37.64325,-79.58867<br />
<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FPeak%25202900%2FPeak%25202900.kml&hl=en&ll=37.685994,-79.594574&spn=0.220617,0.528374&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=12" target="_blank">Google map for trailhead</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrBZ2SHPm-tlqjIzZRS1nzaqMFsIWuPmceF7h2vjVdqokNk2wIZoFS8Ydovu9_A7Z1cOCQm8a46T1rLmP3BPM_Egt1HvIQOBwOdMfagl3Zw37ctIXD9rxoUzM-0CifoPCRRWT7b3F8U4/s1600/qrcode.11436091Peak2900.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrBZ2SHPm-tlqjIzZRS1nzaqMFsIWuPmceF7h2vjVdqokNk2wIZoFS8Ydovu9_A7Z1cOCQm8a46T1rLmP3BPM_Egt1HvIQOBwOdMfagl3Zw37ctIXD9rxoUzM-0CifoPCRRWT7b3F8U4/s1600/qrcode.11436091Peak2900.png" /></a></div>
crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2654720028455834023.post-61788885185493853542013-01-05T15:27:00.000-08:002014-04-13T22:36:47.220-07:00Garden of the Gods, Virginia Style<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7RSPvQFgUU/T2OHM8-ayLI/AAAAAAAAliM/9xpt3slzCIs/s1600/IMGP6008Hawk+Rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7RSPvQFgUU/T2OHM8-ayLI/AAAAAAAAliM/9xpt3slzCIs/s640/IMGP6008Hawk+Rock.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hawk Rock"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Feeling
a little cash poor after a week in New York, staying close to home for
my outings for a while seemed in order. On January 1, <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/110045889022774159940" target="_blank">+Leanne</a> and I
upheld a little tradition we have that assumes that whatever you find
yourself doing on the first day of the year, you will be doing all year
long. So we did a short loop in the Crystal Springs Watershed, on some
newly constructed trails we had only recently found out about. This is
an area owned by the Town of Wytheville, and is contiguous with the
7,500 acre Big Survey Wildlife Management Area, an area I have spent
much time in over the years and the location of one of my dearest
places. More on that in a future post. To make a short story even
shorter, the loop wasn’t anything particularly exciting, but it was new,
and it wound around through pleasant, open woods in a small karst area.
You can make things mean whatever you like, but what I took from this
is that I would be hiking all year long and still finding new places to
explore close to home. I chose to ignore any possible implications that I
wouldn’t do anything exciting all year, or that I would be stuck close
to home all year. I also had mixed feelings about the fact that I had
worked most of the day before hiking...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Not
being any richer the following weekend, and feeling unmotivated for a
big day or a long drive anyway, I decided I would go up on the Big
Survey and check out a couple areas off-trail that I had reason to
believe I might find some new views from. This would allow me to claim
another ascent of </span><a href="http://www.listsofjohn.com/PeakStats/Climbers.php?Id=104509" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Peak 3460</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">,
just so I could get in a peak for the day. It would also take me
through the “Garden of the Gods”, a neat little area of Lick Mountain
where there are a number of large rock outcrops strewn along a powerline
swath and throughout the adjacent woods. Several of these have rather
unusual forms and I have given them my own names, completely unofficial,
but descriptive and appropriate nevertheless. Not to be confused with
other better known, more spectacular, and larger areas having the same
name, including ones in Colorado, Utah, Illinois, and Hawaii, this
“Garden of the Gods”, as far as I know, is also completely unofficial in
its naming. It’s definitely not on the map, and though I had been there
quite a few times over the years, I had never heard it called that
before I stumbled across the name online a few years ago. That is still
the only place I personally have seen it named that - in a </span><a href="http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/Catesbeiana-pdf/cat23n1/Catesbeiana%20V23%20N1.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">newsletter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
published by the Virginia Herpetological Society. It was one of several
sites on the Big Survey where they went for a field trip to study the
native reptiles and amphibians, and they described it as “a ridge of
large limestone outcrops and boulders bisected by a powerline
right-of-way”. Actually, I think the rocks are a mixture of sandstone
and quartzite, but I’m no geologist. Regardless, I’ve done enough caving
that I’m fairly confident there is no limestone on this ridge.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWfgCmJy5B0/T2OHQCb187I/AAAAAAAAlic/mo3umkBQbII/s1600/IMGP6017moai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OWfgCmJy5B0/T2OHQCb187I/AAAAAAAAlic/mo3umkBQbII/s400/IMGP6017moai.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Moai". Leanne scrambled atop for scale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An
easy two miles or so, including taking a couple dozen steps off-trail
to bag Peak 3460 along the way, and I was in the Garden. Most of the
interesting rocks are spread along and around a 3/10 long section of
powerline swath from a small stream to the crest of Lick Mountain. Other
people may see different things, but to me, two of the most interesting
rocks are the ones I call “The Moai” and “Hawk Rock”. The former is a
towering formation with a head and face on top that probably looks more
like a “Rock’em Sock’em Robot” than anything, but has always made me
think of the enigmatic statues on Easter Island. The latter is a 10’-12’
tall hawk perched on the ground and looking back over its shoulder.
Then there is the spotted boulder of “Dalmation Rock” and the
free-standing pillar that I can’t decide if I prefer to call “The
Monolith” or “The Megalith”. One of the first formations you come upon
is an assembly of three large upright rocks standing closely side by
side. I like “The Three Gossips” as a name, based on a formation of that
same name in Arches National Park, but these three rocks, on a smaller
scale, probably look vaguely more like another formation there known as
“Three Penguins”. Farther in the woods is “Big Rock”. It doesn’t really
look like anything, but it is big, and it has a series of crevices
underneath it. You can also, with caution, climb to the top of it for
some limited views. Farther away still, in a disconnected area near the
possible viewpoints I came here to explore, is another scattering of
outcrops on the south side of the mountain. The most interesting
formation here is the “Bunny Ears”, two upright pinnacles positioned
side by side. Closer looking might reveal yet more rocks suggestive of a
name.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZogQVLA-KM/UQu6W_719AI/AAAAAAAAuU4/0HnYsVx8OAo/s1600/IMGP9484Three+Gossips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZogQVLA-KM/UQu6W_719AI/AAAAAAAAuU4/0HnYsVx8OAo/s320/IMGP9484Three+Gossips.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Three Gossips"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There
are some limited views north from the crest of the mountain where the
powerline crosses it, but on this particular hike I wanted to explore a
couple of areas farther east along the crest which I had studied on
Google Earth, as well as the cluster of outcrops where “Bunny Ears” is
located. The latter spot I had been to once before, and I had also
explored the crest from Lots Gap west to the tiny closed contour just
east of Point 3439, but not the 8/10 mile between there and here. I
simply followed the top of the ridgeline as closely as possible, though
there were some detours for blowdowns and briars which were quite thick
in spots. I ended up finding a couple of decent views from outcrops, one
to the north a short distance before Point 3439, and another to the
south from the small contour east of Point 3439. They were worth getting
to once, but probably not a second time.</span><br /> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tdQjbsRBTXU/UQu6ZW3QKMI/AAAAAAAAuUI/7y6BEjvFFhc/s1600/IMGP9485Wytheville.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tdQjbsRBTXU/UQu6ZW3QKMI/AAAAAAAAuUI/7y6BEjvFFhc/s400/IMGP9485Wytheville.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Wytheville from near Point 3439</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeU4BWk2U/UQu6d_bx8UI/AAAAAAAAuUY/knBhTG7JHlI/s1600/IMGP9490bunnyears.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gJeU4BWk2U/UQu6d_bx8UI/AAAAAAAAuUY/knBhTG7JHlI/s320/IMGP9490bunnyears.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Bunny Ears"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Upon
leaving the second view, I dropped down to the south into the other
area of outcrops and got a pretty good angle on the “Bunny Ears” then
made my way back to the powerline. From here I bushwhacked up to another
outcrop about 100’ below the crest of the mountain and 4/10 mile east
of Peak 3460. This one had some pretty good views of where I had just
been, as well as a wider view to the north and northeast. Not really any
good places to sit, but maybe worth an occasional return visit since
it’s only about 100 yards off of the trail which I then climbed up to
for the final leg of the hike. All in all, a well spent few hours close
to home with something old and something new.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Note
- As of January 1, 2012 the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries requires a permit for all recreational use on state owned
wildlife management areas, of which Big Survey is one. You are already
covered if you possess a valid state hunting or fishing license.
Otherwise you must purchase either a day ($4) or an annual ($23) access
permit. You may buy these from any license agent or online from their
website </span><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/access-permit/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sowZkC9OjvY/UQu6ftbdKEI/AAAAAAAAuUg/IRWLi_kkvS4/s1600/IMGP9491Point3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sowZkC9OjvY/UQu6ftbdKEI/AAAAAAAAuUg/IRWLi_kkvS4/s400/IMGP9491Point3439.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="gphoto-photocaption-caption">Point 3439 and the powerline
area where the "Garden of the Gods" is located. Most of the formations
are out of sight under the powerline, but the outcrop directly behind it
on the right is "Big Rock" and the highest rock above that is the
"Bunny Ears".</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br />
<iframe height="600" src="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Garden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods/Garden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.899597,-81.035843&z=14&bgo=1&az=1" width="600"></iframe>
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The route of this hike with side trips. To view a larger map click <a href="http://atlas.gpsvisualizer.com/map?url=http%3A//dl.dropbox.com/u/108330967/2013/Garden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods/Garden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods.kml&tl=1&wl=1&bg=GV_TOPO_US&c=36.899597,-81.035843&z=14&bgo=1" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hike Stats:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5.5 miles</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1,100' cumulative elevation gain</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Garden of the Gods only (out and back)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4.25 miles</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">860' cumulative elevation gain</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<table style="width: 194px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="background: url(https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left; height: 194px;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GardenOfTheGodsVA02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite"><img height="160" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wXed79dLG9U/UQu6KnazAiE/AAAAAAAAuU4/OFH3iEeqsvk/s160-c/GardenOfTheGodsVA02.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0 0 4px;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GardenOfTheGodsVA02?authuser=0&feat=embedwebsite" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Garden of the Gods, VA</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GardenOfTheGodsVA02?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from this hike</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pictures from other hikes to the Garden of the Gods</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/GardenOfTheGodsVA?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank">March 2012</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainVA03?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank">March 2009</a> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/100160961763276678204/SandMountainBigSurveyVAArchives?authuser=0&feat=directlink" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">There are also two</span> scanned pics from prior to 2007 in this album</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Resources and contacts:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/detail.asp?pid=20" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Virginia DGIF</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0BzuSBstS_vxzU0dIQkZqMmNqN0E/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">gpx and kml files, topo maps</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />Trailhead coordinates: 36.90369,-81.03585</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fdl.dropbox.com%2Fu%2F108330967%2F2013%2FGarden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods%2FGarden%2520of%2520the%2520Gods.kml&hl=en&sll=38.003385,-79.420925&sspn=7.399098,16.907959&t=m&z=13" target="_blank"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Google map for trailhead</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></a><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scan QR code to navigate to trailheads with Google Maps on your smartphone:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFqOAKCOi_MlcsdLRJ0yAEZyNQasuMsPBnn-kool40x8Z6Iq2Gs7hjrYsa8LhyphenhyphenZ6e7v7p5so8K9SA_JbW3XI34FklZVhOKe018404-gfnsJLaWJ02ybB7W4E630pgHKbsneUVZbnj7cU/s1600/qrcode.11312987GardenoftheGods.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFqOAKCOi_MlcsdLRJ0yAEZyNQasuMsPBnn-kool40x8Z6Iq2Gs7hjrYsa8LhyphenhyphenZ6e7v7p5so8K9SA_JbW3XI34FklZVhOKe018404-gfnsJLaWJ02ybB7W4E630pgHKbsneUVZbnj7cU/s1600/qrcode.11312987GardenoftheGods.png" /></a></div>
<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; display: inline ! important; float: none; font-size: x-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.6270634393525187" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></span><br /> </span><br />
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<br />crshortthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04596095471839669636noreply@blogger.com1