Another cool but clear day dawns in Roanoke and we head off for another hike about an hour north of where we are staying. This time we will be in the George Washington National Forest.
We like this trail as soon as we step onto it. The terrain and landscape is quite different to anything we've hiked to date. It feels more European. In fact, Di thought the section shown in the photo below was quite "Black Forest" aka Schwartzwald in Germany. Cold again as you can see...
Much of the trail feels like an old cattle or wagon route and features more grass than we've had anywhere else. As there are not many leaves on the trees yet, the views of surrounding mountains and valleys are with you for the whole trail. Very nice. The trail also has a bit more of up and down variety, and loops, rather than just straight up for several miles and back down the same way.
After an hour we've made very good time and reached a ridge saddle so we take a break. Our first break is traditionally a banana or apple and we think this really works to keep us moving until lunchtime.
Along the way we encounter a few wet sections of the trail but otherwise it's dry and solid underfoot. We have 1 creek crossing. Hans jumps across it with ease but then helps to find a location where Di can do the same further upstream. Sad.
We continue hiking and reach Cow Camp Shelter, which is really well set up. Right next to the stream we jumped earlier was a new looking cabin , picnic bench and an outhouse (loo is Australian terms).
Nobody is at the shelter on this Sunday which surprises us. In fact this section of the trail has been deserted except for a few campers at an earlier tent site. We love having the forest to ourselves...but not for long as we soon reach the AT and as expected start to meet more hikers, both long distance as well as day hikers.
We head north on the AT and climb further until we reach this great vista point. Another quick break as we look over the lovely Shenandoah Valley.
We need to keep the fluids up even on a cool day...
Then a strange thing happened... we met up with a hiking group of about 8 people coming the other way and Di recognized a woman she chatted to yesterday at McAfee's Knob.
So they stopped to chat and say what a coincidence etc. Di explained that we were following a list we found on the internet written by a guy called Mike Vaughan. She laughed and says "that's him" and points to a guy in the group! Now that's a coincidence! They all laughed about how Mike was now famous in Australia. Di thanked him for his list and we were asked about other hikes we had done and encouraged to hike Old Rag Mountain further north. They took photos of us and we are sure we will feature in next month's RATC newsletter with gags around international coverage etc.
If you look closely on the top right of this photo you can see the group climbing the hill into the forest.
A quick walk down the mountain on a steeper and rockier part of the trail and we are back to the car park.
Distance is 9.85 km over 3 hours and 20 minutes. Not fast, but it was a beautiful and interesting trail.
We picnic on the grass with our sandwiches for lunch.
Hans then continues with the adjacent hike up to Mount Pleasant and back as we decided to do before we left our motel this morning.
Di opts out and sits in the sun stretching and blogging. Of course, she is also chatting to people who return to their car after doing the same walk we've just done and others.
The start of the Mount Pleasant loop has an interesting gateway and it is clear horses and bikes are not allowed.
Hans later finds out why - the trail in places is rocky and narrow going through shrubs.
While walking around the loop you are directed to a side trail that takes you to the top of the Mount Pleasant, which provides both east and west panoramic views. A bit like the two peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro... (with excuses to Monty Python...)
Views from the western peak of Mount Pleasant first...
Hans is taking a self portrait - the expression is due to a half chewed cookie.
Then across to the eastern peak of Mount Pleasant.
The trail is about 5.5 miles and has been named after a local hiker who did a lot of trail maintenance here.
Hans completes the full Mount Pleasant loop in 2 hours and 25 minutes, covering 9.6km, giving the hiking total for Hans 19.5 km just under 6 hours. That will do, Donkey, that will do.
We take the scenic route home - the Blue Ridge Parkway - again. We know it will take closer to 2 hours to get back but its such a lovely drive and you quickly get sick of the Interstate roads and trucks. The Parkway is in full spring glow and the photo below does not do it justice. The trees and grass are such a vibrant green and with the afternoon sun we just say "aahh" a lot.
Half way we stumble on to the Otter Creek Dam. It is more like a weir and fully flowing with the recent rains. Very picturesque so it is of course self portrait time.
There is a hiking trail on the other side of the creek, accessible via stepping stones... or is it? Di went to investigate it and then stopped...hmmm...
Perhaps the problem is more evident now? Really really long legs are required here.
We journey on in the car and take a side road down the mountain, with lots of tight slow corners and pass through a very cute town called Buchanan. We are very surprised we are only 5 miles from Interstate 81 and about 10 miles for our hotel. Buchanan town is not at all developed and has a lovely rural feel.
Home around 5.30pm after a big day and a vow not to move any further. We are hungry so snack on the salsa and corn chips, with some beer and wine cooler, before progressing to microwaved TV dinners for our meal. Quite tasty but perhaps not gourmet.
A great day and an early night. Good night.
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