2 posts tagged “appalachian trail”

Loudoun Heights

Over the next few days I'm going to be importing some of my blog entries from a website that I no longer plan on hosting after this coming month. It's basically a hiking journal, has lots of photos, some product reviews... enjoy!

Fortunately for me, there are numerous trails within walking distance of my home, Loudon Heights Trail being one of them. I live in Bolivar, West Virginia, a small town immediately adjacent to historic Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The Appalachian Trail runs within a half mile or so from my home, and within close proximity are trails in Maryland and Virginia, Maryland Heights Trail and the one I chose to hike on this unseasonably warm day, the Loudoun Heights Trail.

So I packed lightly, took no food, just my canteen and my Leatherman Hybrid multi-tool (a relic from my nursery days) and walked out the door, cut through 2 of my neighbors yards and walked along route 340 until reaching the bridge that spans the Shenandoah River. The Appalachian Trails picks up here and is a connecting trail to the Loudon Heights Trail. After crossing the bridge, there is a walkway and steps that lead under and around to the Virginia side of the river. I followed the the trail through a slightly rocky, and at places steep, portion of the trail until reaching a small, almost still, stream. I took advantage of the cool water, played for a moment, and resumed my hike.

Within 10 or 15 minutes, I had crossed Chestnut Hill Road and was well on my way to reaching the orange blazed trail that parallels the blue blazed Loudoun Heights Trail. I imagine the 2 trails run within a few hundred meters of one another, the purpose of the orange blazed trail, to offer a variety of views from the rocky outcroppings found on Loudoun Heights. On my ascent, I chose the orange blazed trail, which itself ends on the Loudoun Heights Trail.

As usual, I stopped along the way, took pictures when possible, though most of them were obscured by the power lines that run up and over the mountain. However, I knew that once I made my way to Loudoun Heights, I'd have all the views I wanted!

I was hiking now on the blue trail, slowly descending down from a higher point on the mountain towards the overlook. The trail was obstructed by some recently downed trees, but nothing of consequence. Within a half hour I had reached the overlook. The view was stunning, and to this day, I'm surprised I had never completed this hike prior. I was greeted there by three older men, seasoned hikers from Bristol, Tennessee, who were out on a day hike on their last day in West Virginia. After a brief rest, a bout of picture taking, and a pleasant conversation, I grabbed my canteen, my camera, and began to head back towards home.

On my return route, I simply followed the Loudoun Heights Trail back to the Appalachian Trail, turned right and northward towards Harpers Ferry National Park. Instead of following the highway back to my home, I took a sharp right after crossing the Shenandoah River, into the park, and down to a little beach that's on the river, a perfect place to cool off and have a little late morning fun!

Granted, this hike was no where near as exciting as some of the more recent trails that I've done, but considering I could walk from my home to the trail, it wasn't bad at all. The views of the park were some of the best, rivaling Maryland Heights, and the route, peaceful and relatively quiet, a great way to clear my head and reacquaint myself with nature. A morning well spent!

Over the next few days I'm going to be importing some of my blog entries from a website that I no longer plan on hosting after this coming month. It's basically a hiking journal, has lots of photos, some product reviews... enjoy!

Overall Run Vista

Well it's official, I have the hiking/camping bug! It all started a few weeks ago when I camped at Abrams Creek near Mount Storm, West Virginia. That being said, I decided to head to Shenandoah National Park and hike the Overall Run Trail.It was a beautiful day for hiking with a mostly sunny sky and temperatures in the low 70s. Despite hiking alone, I had a blast. Amazing scenery, an abundance of wildlife (though I did feel disappointed in not seeing any of the numerous black bear that have been recently spotted on the circuit), and a relatively well maintained, though quite rocky trail, especially in riparian zones, made for a very enjoyable hike.

I arrived in Bentonville, Virginia a little after 1 pm. I parked off of Thompson Hollow Road, which happens to deadend at a private drive that leads to the Thompson Hollow trailhead. There were just a few cars near the entrance, so I anticipated just a handful of hikers and a relatively quiet day. Perfect for a much needed break from the stresses of everyday life!

You begin your trek on a private road that is roughly a quarter of a mile in length. You soon reach a cabled gate and within a few hundred meters cross a small creek that leads to the Thompson Hollow Trail which you will find on your right. The trail is blue blazed and intersects with the Tuscarora/Overall Run Trail within three quarters of a mile or so.

Most hikers head left on the trail, which is also blue blazed, for a shorter hike to the waterfall outlook of Overall Run. The ascent leading to the outlook is steep as it switchbacks up the ridge of Mathews Arm. At any rate, I chose a less traditional route, and went right at the intersection. For the most part, I did this because I wanted to play in the swimming holes that are located about 5 mins. from the Overall Run trailhead. I did make my way down to the water, however, the dry weather we have experienced this past summer had left the stream quite shallow. Still, it was nice to get wet. I also met a turtle along the way, an added bonus!

Playtime ended, and I soon got back on the trail and followed it for awhile as it meandered alongside Overall Run. After what seemed to be a half of a mile, the trail turned left rather sharply and eventually crossed the stream. The trail began to get rather rocky and remained so until I began the 3 mile ascent of Beecher Ridge. This is where I met the first of about 15 fellow hikers on the trail. We spoke for a few minutes and I learned that he was from New York, living presently in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and like me, had left his better half at home and had decided to enjoy a quiet walk in the forest. Within 5 minutes I was back on my way as the blue blazed Overall Run Trail met the Beecher Trail that led the next two and a half miles up towards the top of Beecher Ridge. The path, now yellow blazed, was steep, cool (thanks to a gentle breeze and change in elevation) and scenic. The hike became more challenging, though I'm a runner and the course presented little in the way of real difficulty minus the presence of a multitude of rocks which are frequently dispersed throughout the circuit. That being said, I highly suggest leaving your tennis shoes behind and wearing a hiking boot with a rugged sole. Remember, when hiking in the summer, waterproof boots will cause your feet to heavily perspire, so I'd recommend against it in warmer temperatures.

At the end of the Beecher Trail you'll make your way onto Mathews Arm Trail and within a half of a mile you'll find an intersection which leads upwards towards a campground and left back onto the Overall Run Trail. I went left and began my descent of Mathews Arm. It was here I decided to take a break for lunch, which basically consisted of a few energy bars and water (thanks for the Nalgene bottle, Margaret). Shortly after lunch I saw for the first time that day, a black snake. In fact, I saw 3 within the next few hundred meters. Unlike some, I love snakes, and found this to be quite a treat. I soon came upon a family stopped dead in their tracks, fearing that ahead one of the snakes they had recently seen was a copperhead. I trekked ahead and found a snake making its way quickly into the forest. I was unable to identify it though. I continued on and soon made my way to the waterfall outlook of Overall Run. The waterfall was nearly dried up because of near drought conditions, but still, the sight was impressive, not to mention the amazing view of the Massanutten Range. I rested briefly, enjoyed the scenery and resumed my hike. It was now that I began switchbacking down Mathews Arm. The path was steep, though beautiful, and as the terrain began to level, I found myself in an amazing area where the ground was so rocky and tall grasses so numerous that it was difficult at times to even make out the trail. I loved it! I felt more secluded here than at any point in my journey. Within about 10 or 20 minutes I met up again with Overall Run and began the last leg of my hike. I played briefly in the stream and then made my way back to the Thompson Hollow Trail. Within 25 minutes I had doubled back to the car and had completed my hike, and in amazing time! The hike, with a 30 minute lunchbreak, usually takes somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 hours, though I made it in about 3 hours and 15 minutes. See Margaret, all of that obsessive working out pays off!

Anyway, I highly recommend this hike. It's challenging and for a day hike, moderately lengthy at 8.5 miles, but it's worth it. You can also modify the trail to accommodate those who are not up for the entire circuit by hiking to the overlook and doublebacking along the Overall Run Trail.

Photos from the hike: