Rocky Top/Lewis Peak/Big Run Portal Loop

On Tuesday, Sept. 25 I parked at Brown Gap (MP 83) and hiked down the Rockytop Trail (ROCKY is right!), took a side trip over the Lewis Peak Trail to the Park boundary and up to Lewis Peak, then descended to Big Run Portal.  I then ascended on the Big Run Portal Trail up to the Big Run Loop Trail and returned to the car.  Lots of miles and some terrific views.

From the parking lot I descended via the Madison Run Trail to the Madison Run Spur Trail to the junction between Big Run Loop, Rockytop, and Madison Run Spur trails.  Taking the Rockytop Trail, I descended right along or right next to the ridge top, along lots of rocks.  This allowed for great views right and left. 

Then I turned onto the Lewis Peak Trail which was fabulous.  The trail first went up a little, then down into the gap, then finally slabbed up the side of Lewis Peak.  Between the Rockytop Trail and the summit (including some bare ledges on the western side) the views were fabulous.

The rocks there apparently have prehistoric worm holes in them

I continued down the Lewis Peak Trail beyond the summit (even though it only goes to the boundary of the Park where there is no public access) and it turned out to be a delightful trail.  Lots of walking along rocks with blueberries and pines next to the trail.  It reminded me a lot of Maine.  Also there were great wildflowers.

Then I turned around and hiked back to the Rockytop Trail, seeing the actual Rockytop.

It looked like the trail was going to go to the top but in fact it only went over the left shoulder.  Then I thought maybe the next "rocky top" was the peak.

But that too proved illusory.  It seemed that a fire had swept through the area and cleared out all the tall trees, leaving lots of interesting rocks protruding.  But the trail skirted that peak too.  Then it descended with continuous and dazzling views to the West.

Absolutely stunning trail.  At the bottom there was a very forbidding sign saying the Big Run Portal Trail was closed at the boundary and there were all kinds of obstacles put in the way.

But since the guidebook includes that 0.2 miles, I hiked it.  Then I hiked up the Big Run Portal Trail looking eagerly for the famous "portal".  I only got glimpses through the leaves.  Perhaps the portal is best seen in winter.

I reached the bridge where I had lunched the last time I was on the trail and ascending along wonderful pools, stopping for a swim when I could resist it no longer.

Finally, at the end of a very long day, I reach the Big Run Loop Trail which ascended steeply to the Rockytop Trail and took the Madison Run Loop and FR back to the car.  Thus ended an almost perfect day of hiking:  lots of views, lots of water, lots of miles.  Total for the day 19.4 miles.

Total miles hiked so far:  421.2.  Total unique side trail miles:  274.6  Total trails:  109.  I discovered yet more errors in my excel table (double counting Moormans River trails and double counting overlap distance with Discovery Trail).  Making total side trails 170 and total sidetrail miles 406.2.  Here are new thermometers.