Hiking in the Blue Ridge

A Walk to White Rock Falls

2011-10-31T06:28:00.000-07:00

Autumn Turning to Winter with Fresh Snowfall

The trail winds through a Winter scene...

..headed toward the spring that cascades into White Rock Falls.

A beautiful spot for reflection, just undar a mile's hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Hiking on Old Rag Mountain

2011-06-16T15:49:00.000-07:00

Madison County's Granite Mountain Challenge

Stairs are provided (a natural formation) for a portion of the hike...

...as is natural air conditioning. A breeze almost always blows through this cave.

This trail takes you over, under and around a large number of boulders.

"Is this one of your favorite hikes?" asked Doug Riley, father of my mural partner. "Actually, I consider this the essential hike. " I reply. Old Rag is considered the best hike in Shenandoah National Park by most who compile trail guides. "It is the only hike in Shenandoah for which upper body strength is a serious consideration." writes one.

Yesterday we made a weekday visit to this solitary mountain in Madison County. It is in Shenandoah National Park but you get there by driving through the Hebron Valley where my German ancestors settled after a tenure in Governor Spottswood's mines. Route 231, the Blue Ridge Turnpike, runs arrow straight past the neat farms laid out in the first land patent. The Hebron Lutheran Church with its 1802 Tannenberg Organ is there as well. The Clore Furniture Factory attests to generations of German craftsmen.

And then there is the mountain. Rugged and feeling somewhat like an Alpine landscape transported to Virginia, Old Rag stands sentinel above the peaceful valley of my ancestors. The climb is rugged and the views are breathtaking. It is worth taking a weekday off as the weekend crowds are gone and you can really enjoy the climb.

I've hiked with a Nepali former Maoist, another Nepali son of a Gherka and a Ranger. Doug is right up there with the Nepalis in stamina (he's ten years younger than me) and we enjoy a brisk hike and some fun on the rock climbs. We enjoy a leisurely lunch at the top. I even pulled out my cell phone and found we had reception so we called our wives from the top, just for the fun of it.

We descended the Saddle Trail and came out through Weakley Hollow. It is about nine miles including the road walk to the parking area.

Guide to Hiking Old Rag Mountain [click to read].

The view from the top.

A Walk to Blackrock on a Cold Day

2011-01-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

Shenandoah's Rocky Outpost Offers Great Views

An earlier hike to Blackrock, in warmer weather.

The trail to Blackrock. It begins near milepost 85 on the Skyline Drive.

First view of the rocks.

Snow on the rocks.

The view from the top.

Trayfoot Mountain in the distance.

Furnace Mountain and Austin Mountain.

The blue-blazed trail to Trayfoot Mountain...

...leads through wind-twisted trees...

...through the Cleft in the Rock.

A frosty fern.

Winter color.

Twisted wood.

Blackrock derives its name from the growth of lichen on the rocks...

...which from a distance looks dark on the surface.

Mountain Laurel.

Frost.

A Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) made this footprint in the soft ground of the last thaw.

Winter's colors are a special treat.

Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah Park

2010-03-18T13:56:00.000-07:00

Falls Flowing Full from Snow Melt and Spring Rains

Dark Hollow Falls near Big Meadows in Shenandoah Park. Photo by S. Kirchman.

Bridesburg Cottage at Big Meadows.

Old Rag Mountain.

Shenandoah National Park has always been a special place to our family. As a girl, my Mother hiked Old Rag and White Oak Canyon. Skyland was always where we had family reunion. When my Mother and Father passed away we gathered one last time at Skyland to remember them.

Big Meadows was where my wife and I spent the first night of our honeymoon. Bridesburg cottage had fireplaces in the rooms and even in late May it was nice to have a warm fire.

This past Tuesday my son continued the tradition... proposing to his girl at Dark Hollow Falls! When she said 'absolutely' another generation made Shenandoah their special place as well!

My photo of Dark Hollow Falls, now even more of a favorite place!

Hiking Elliott's Knob

2010-02-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

A Quiet Mountain Hollow Stream Awaits...

Falls Hollow, pictures taken in September of this year.

...and a Rugged Hike Awaits as Well

One of my favorite places to hike is the trail up Elliott's Knob [or Elliott Knob]. I'm pretty sure I saw it as Elliott's on a Jedediah Hotchkiss map so I'm sticking with it. The trail makes its way up Falls Hollow along this little stream.

Here are More Pictures [click to view] taken along the trail up Elliott's Knob.

Coming out of Falls Hollow, hikers find a rugged mountain road to the top.

Abandoned fire tower at the summit.

Looking up at the fire tower.

Almost to the top, where a view awaits...

...of the Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.

Elliott's Knob as seen from Little North Mountain.

Elliott's Knob in Winter

2010-02-28T18:09:00.001-08:00

Augusta's Highest Point as Seen from Staunton

Snow still covers Elliott's Knob and outlines the road to the top.

Doyle River Falls

2010-01-30T15:59:00.000-08:00

Heavy Rains Make a Beautiful Scene

The Lower Falls.

Hiking Doyle River Falls Trail in Winter [click to read].