Redbud Time

Well it was redbud time in the Shenandoah Valley as I wended my way to the trailhead on Wednesday, March 28.  Because of construction on US 340, I got lost looking for VA611.  It starts a short way off 340 via Rileyville Rd. 

The woods were greening (especially the forest floor) in the valley along Jeremy's Run.  I hiked up the Knob Mt. Trail which is a fine trail that steadily climbs to the ridge.  Toward the top, since the trees still haven't leafed out, there were pretty great views to the west, south, and up the Jeremy's Run valley.  I saw a reddish/brownish hawk, a vulture, and a grouse as I reached the ridge.  Walking along the ridge was a delight.  Peekaboo views to left and right.  The top of Knob Mt. was no panoramic vista but, unusually, there was a marker identifying the summit.  The day was sunny and hazy.  By the time I reached the top I had stripped down to t-shirt and shorts and it was still pretty hot.  I hotfooted it over to Mathews Arm Campground from the summit.  It took less time to get to the campground road and longer to walk along the road than I had expected.  Mind you, I had previously walked this long road system (twice) when I hiked the Heiskell Hollow trail so it was no surprise but it wasn't particularly pleasant.  I sat down for a quick lunch at the picnic table next to the entrance kiosk for the campground and then took the lovely Elkwallow Trail over to the A.T. at Elkwallow Wayside.  By 2 PM it had clouded over.  I descended via the Jeremy's Run trail, taking a short sidetrip up the Knob Mt. Cutoff up (and up and up) to the junction with the Knob Mt. Trail.  Because of the heat, I got a headache and took an ibuprofen and a salt tablet when I got to the trail junction.  At 3, as I started my descent, the thunder started.  I quickened my pace.  Just after I started back down the Jeremy's Run Trail, the lightening and thunder got worse and I found myself in a thunderstorm.  I was very glad I had chosen to do the Knob Mt. part of the hike first.  In order to save time, I decided just to wade through all the stream crossings (13 I believe).  The sun came out briefly, about half way back to the car, but then the fireworks started again.  There were a fair number of blowdowns on the trail and a few were difficult to negotiate.  Jeremy's Run has a number of lovely cascades and pools that would make this a terrific summer walk.  It was such a pleasure to walk along it the 5 or so miles back to the car. 

Total miles hiked:  18
New sidetrail miles:  16.6 (according to guidebook)
New Trails:  4

Summer at the spring equinox

Yesterday I did a half-hike to test out my achilles tendon.  Parked in Nethers and did a circuit up the Robertson Mountain Trail and down the Corbin Hollow Trail (that completes the trifecta of Corbin trails).  I got a somewhat late start and by the time I was slogging up Robertson, it was pretty hot.  Old Rag was swathed in a cloud but it was all sun on my side of the valley.  The Mt. Robertson Trail is pretty much unrelenting up from its departure from the Weakley Hollow Trail to the summit.  I had rather low expectations because Artunus, who had been there before, said it was not worth the effort.  Imagine my surprise when I saw these great views from the summit! 

The descent down to the Old Rag Fire Road (my old pal) was rocky and steep at first but then leveled out.  Then I walked up the ORFR to the Corbin Hollow Trail.  The buds were just coming out on a few of the deciduous bushes. 

Quite soon I heard the stream bubbling along and planned to stop for lunch once the trail pulled near.  I was amazed to see the bloodroot in bloom. 

Back during my thru hike, I didn't see bloodroot until late March in Georgia.  I also saw some cool looking funghi and a beautiful little white flower of unknown name.

I noticed on the opposite side of the stream valley that there were great rock outcroppping on what I assume was the Pinnacle Ridge.  Looked like a good place to visit!

Once again, I saw great trail work like this jack holding up a blowdown. 

Finally I reached the river and sat down for a gourmet lunch of PB&J while enjoying the little cascades nearby.  Quickly I returned to the Weakley Hollow Fire Road and back to the car, passing a number of budding redbuds along the way. 

My achilles tendon pained me a little, mostly going uphill, but I have no lasting pain.  So next week I hope to resume full hiking days. 

Total miles hiked so far:  131.5




Because Artunus wants me to show progress toward the SNAP 500 total, including the AT (even though I don't count AT miles in the numerator) here's my overall progress: