2 posts tagged “eric jones”

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!

Old Rag

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!

Well Saturday was yet another beautiful late summer's day, perfect for a 9 mile hike on one of the mid-Atlantic's most beloved trails. Old Rag is a very popular destination for hikers of all skill levels, though it can be a bit more challenging for the beginner.

The mountain is located in the heart of Shenandoah National Park, in Sperryville, Virginia. It's also one of the few in the Blue Ridge to have an exposed rocky top, and I have to admit, the view as we approached Old Rag was spectacular. Because of this, Old Rag attracts quite a few climbers, and that day was no different. It was interesting to see such a mix of people, from those who appeared to be seasoned outdoorsman, to others who I would reckon venture sparingly from the city. As the park is in close proximity to Washington, D.C., I wasn't at all surprised.

As I said before, the day was beautiful, mostly sunny, and by mid morning the crowds had already gathered. I was forced to start from the overflow parking lot, adding another 1.6 miles to the total length of the hike. Not a problem, with such amazing weather, it just prolonged my stay outdoors!

The Old Rag trail begins amidst a vast array of flora. Oak and Hickory are in abundance, as is Mountain Laurel (I would have loved to have been here while it was in full bloom!) and a variety of mosses that speckle the landscape, covering both trees and the numerous boulders that have made their way down the mountainside, a reminder of Old Rag's storied past, and the power of mother nature. Erosion has over time brought a large number of these vast stone behemoths to rest near the base of the mountain, a tribute to the raw force of water. Freezes can routinely move large boulders as expanding ice can lead to the splintering of the mountain's stony top. Also, water that makes its way either around and sometimes under these boulders can freeze and expand, thereby moving these structures farther down the mountain as the warmth of late winter and spring melts the invasive ice, and with the force of gravity, acts to push the boulder down into the valley. Over time, theses stones can move great distances.

As you approach the switchbacks that ascend towards the mountain's summit, the scenery slowly begins to change as the deciduous forest becomes a playground for conifers, nettles, and the parks abundant wildlife. On this day, I counted at least 8 chipmunks, 2 deer, and saw the aftermath of traveling bear. It was here that I found a spring a few tens of yards from the trail. Quite refreshing on this hot, late summer's day, a day when I was walking briskly and keeping a strong pace.

After 2000 or so feet, the trail becomes much steeper, is littered with boulders, and on this day, a number of already exhausted hikers. I was moving quickly, in part to a handy walking stick that I fashioned from a fallen hickory tree. A great find! I managed to keep it in my possession until midway through the rock scramble that was ahead.

I soon began to enjoy the plentiful views that Old Rag has to offer, though surprisingly, I didn't need to look out amongst the valley. The stony outcroppings here are amazing. Alkali feldspar, a white mineral, and blueish-gray quartz are found here in great quantity, and offer yet another grand sight. So far, Old Rag was living up to it's hype.

It was here that Eastern White Pines became commonplace, the ground slowly transitioned from earth to stone, and the top of Old Rag became visible. I loved it! I was really eager to face the rock scrambles, and despite the minor annoyance of large groups that were bottlenecking at the more difficult portions, it was a blast. I've been called a gazelle before because of my walking pace and love of running, but today, I was all mountain goat! I scurried up the boulders like a squirrel up a tree! This, by far, was worth the drive and the crowds... some of the most fun I've ever had on a trail before.

After summiting, I have to admit, I was a bit tired. Not so much because of the hike itself, but mostly because of my rapid pace and the constant pushing and pulling of fellow hikers through the rock scramble. Honestly, I didn't find it overly challenging, but I could imagine that descending 8 or so feet here and there, the ducking under rocks, climbing large boulders with unsure footing could present a problem after a rather steep 2 1/2 mile hike leading up to this point. So I decided to take a break, eat lunch on a rather desolate and isolated outcropping, and enjoy the view of the valley and surprisingly large number of eagles who populated the sky. Breathtaking to say the least.

After a rest and some casual play in water that had collected overnight from a rather substantial rainfall in a few indentions on the rocky top of the mountain, I began my descent via the Saddle Trail. The southern side of the mountain looked different from the very start. Leaves typically turn earlier and more quickly with southern exposure, and the contrast from the northern ascent was quite prominent. It was beautiful, especially on this sunny day, and I actually stopped for a few moment to enjoy the scenery.

The next mile or so was relatively easy when compared to the ascent. The path itself was noticeably rockier, presenting a different kind of difficulty, especially if one was hiking without boots. I managed in my old, beaten up trail shoes, but still, my feet were a little sore. Despite that, I was happy, I was finally predominately alone on the mountain, and I loved it. From here out, it was basically me and Old Rag, with the exception of 6 hikers.

Before the rock scramble, the greatest views were by far the scenic overlooks, but on the southern side of Old Rag, I actually could enjoy the forest itself. I guess more than most, I can become "lost" while in the woods, metaphorically speaking. I love the peace and tranquility that comes from the solitude of an oft forgotten trail, and despite the large crowds behind me, I felt rather alone. Wonderful!

It was here that you could find a few day shelters, camping areas, etc., and I actually noticed a few tents here and there. The Saddle Trail soon met up with the Weakely Hollow Fire Road, and finally, a stream! Brokenback Run followed the fire road until it met up with the Hughes River. This portion of the trail was very relaxing, and rather colorful as a number of the parks 1200 plant species were in full to late bloom. In no time I was back to the trail's main entrance, and so ended another spectacular day of hiking in Shenandoah National Park.

As you might have guessed, I loved this hike, and highly recommend it. A must hike in my book!

Photos from the hike: