First Day Hike 2018

Today was exceptionally cold.  So cold that I was glad we chose a nearby walking trail for our first day trek.  Our own newly paved Greenway from Food City to Leeman fleld was recently completed and provided the perfect location for our hike.  Or maybe more like a walk.  The trail is 1.4 miles one way.  We did a balloon loop with the loop portion being a lap around Leeman field for a total of 3.4 miles.  We had a group of 14 hikers who braved the 18 degrees with a wind chill warning in place.  I would estimate single digit wind chills during portions of the hike.  We bundled up and headed out.  It was frigid but there were nice views of the frozen river and we flushed out the blue heron that frequents that portion of the river.  Looking forward to warmer weather and more hiking!

The Brave Ones

The Sand Cave 2017

The hiking club headed up Ewing trail to visit the Sand Cave for the third time since our inception in 2013.  We have hiked it every other year.  The Sand Cave is within our own county, at least the trailhead is, and it is one of the most magnificent features I have ever seen.

The hike begins in Rose Hill at the Civic Park.  It is among the most difficult hikes we do, and involves quite a climb.  Once at the top on Ridge Trail, you think you have it licked, but the trail drops down over the ridge into Kentucky and the footing becomes a little tough.  But the high steps into the cave can be accomplished by even short legged people like me with the help of hiking sticks.  Once at the bottom, you must navigate a small stream that is created from a waterfall at the cave's entrance.  Then you are there, in a huge opening, that holds an acre and a half of sand.  It is an awesome sight!  If you want to get a nice picture, you then have to climb to the rear wall of the cave in loose, fine sand, and that is difficult too!  However, it is well worth it, and I don't mind returning in the future.

Waterfall at Cave's Entrance

Entering the Cave

From the rear wall

Steele Creek Park

The hiking club headed out to Steele Creek Park this morning.  The fall color is a bit lackluster this year, but the October weather has been great.  Today was no exception.  The day warmed quickly and we explored the park and hiked lakeside and other trails for about 4 miles total.  Steele Creek is quite nice.

Breaks Interstate Park

Today we drove northeast toward the Kentucky Virginia line to Breaks Interstate Park.  It was about an hour and 45 minute drive from Pennington.  None of us had visited the Breaks, or if so, had little memory of it, so we had to get oriented to things when we arrived.  We got a map and selected some trails to hike.  Most of the hikes are short, and don't stray too far from campgrounds, picnic shelters or the park road.  So we didn't have to gear up and carry a load with us like we usually do.  We first hiked about a mile and a half along Lake Trail.  It went downhill from the visitor center and along the lake.  We explored in both directions and walked across the earthen dam to a fairly new small water park area.  After we hiked back to the visitor center and took some pics of some historic elements, we picnicked at the site of the Appalachian Heritage Festival.  Here, they were making molasses, grinding cornmeal, woodworking, and such.  The younger ones enjoyed learning about these skills more than I would have expected.  After we all looked around the festival and finished our lunch, we went toward Loop and Overlook trails.  Here we had multiple views of the gorge that is the signature feature of the park.  We could see the steep face of the mountain cut by Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River.  We could see the river and hear its roar, and even could spot of few kayakers.  A train track ran along the river also, with several tunnels visible as well.  At our final stop, we watched some brave souls zipline along the mountain adjacent to the gorge.  It was a nice day; we have plans to return.

Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Only six of us were available this past Saturday to make the hike to the Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.  We met at our usual place at Dot and headed out around 8:00.  We found the trailhead easily just off I-26 exit 32.  There is a small parking area at the trailhead, but it did have nice restrooms available to utilize before the long hike began.  Yes, the long hike.  It is 4.8 miles one way.  Although the hike is lengthy, it is a great trail of packed earth and few rocks.  The ascent is gradual at 300 ft. per mile.  Our group took our time, as usual, and we made it to the tower around 12:30.  The day was beautiful, but a little warm for September.  Several of us took advantage of the shade on the deck of the tower for our lunch spot.  The tower is only a few years old and is well constructed.  It is 40 ft tall and 57 steps with handrails on each side take you to the top.  The trip to the top of the tower is well worth it, as you will be afforded 360 degree views.  After a lunch break at the summit, we took an access road for about 6 tenths of a mile before getting back on the main trail.  The shortcut made our round trip just under 9 miles.

Nice observation deck

Nice packed earth trail with gentle grade

Splashes of red making an appearance early

Sugar Hill Trail System

Had a nice Labor Day Hike on the Sugar Hill Trail System in St. Paul, Virginia.  We had a bunch of hikers today, 16 in fact, out to enjoy the trail.  The Sugar Hill trails have several features that made for a great hike.  One trail is along the Clinch River.  Another section is up on a cleared, bald area, which also was the location of a French Settlement.  Remnants of a chimney are still there, along with a covered picnic shed and a restroom, both of which were pleasant surprises.  Our group enjoyed lunch at the shed, and then hiked back out for about a 4.5 mile hike.  Part of the loop trail was closed due to erosion, but we took a modified route which worked out nicely.  This hike is kind of a hidden gem as it was quite enjoyable, offered varied features, and was not crowded.  The weather was perfect too!

Beautiful view from the trailhead

We walked about a mile along the Clinch

Views from the bald area on the ridge above the Clinch

Frenchmen Settlement remains

Flag Rock

Today we hiked some trails in the Flag Rock area, which the city of Norton is working to improve and expand.  Katie Dunn of the city of Norton volunteered to join us on the hike and show us around, and of course, make sure we found all of our turns.  Her husband, Wally Smith, UVA- Wise joined us too.  It was a little wet from recent rains, but everything was lush and green, and the salamanders were out in force enjoying the damp conditions.

The 5 mile loop starts at Upper Norton Reservoir and loops around, runs along an old forest road roadbed, and makes its way back to the reservoir.  The hike looped through several areas of varying foliage and conditions, meandered by interesting rock formations, and crossed a small stream, which made for an interesting hike.  We exchanged lots of trail and hike information with Wally and Katie as we hiked through the forest.  It was good to see the nicely marked trails and even more trails being installed.  We would like to return, perhaps in late fall or even winter, when the foliage doesn't obscure the views as much.