My wife and I spent this past weekend in the beautiful rural town of Floyd, Virginia. It's the kind of place that should probably be a well known Appalachian vacation destination by now, complete with miniature golf and go kart tracks. Thankfully, it is not. And that's just the way most of it's residents like it. Life moves at a slow, steady pace in this part of the world and it's just about the most relaxing place you could possibly imagine. Just off the famous Blue Ridge Parkway (which winds it's way a few miles from town) lies Buffalo Mountain, the highest peak in Floyd County. I managed to hike the mountain all three days I was in town and was shocked to have the entire mountain pretty much to myself. The rocky, exposed summit offers breathtaking 360 degree views of the surrounding farms and woods. It's a beautiful spot. Just don't tell anyone - It's our little secret.
Buffalo Mountain is named for it's Buffalo shaped "hump"
I returned to Blood Mountain yesterday (this time with a fully charged camera) with hopes of capturing some images of the stunning views from the craggy summit. The weather, however, had other ideas. A light drizzle fell as I climbed up the AT and a heavy fog shrouded any views from the summit. All was not lost, however, as the weather kept the crowds to a minimum and I had the peak all to myself. Plus there's a certain spooky quality that comes while hiking through the mist alone on one of Georgia's most famous mountains that you just have to experience for yourself. "No Quarter" by Led Zeppelin was the perfect soundtrack for the day.
BH Reece Trailhead.
Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel in full bloom along the AT
had to make an entry in the Blood Mountain shelter trail register
I thought I was in really good shape. After all, I've been hiking on a daily basis for months now. I've even taken to jogging some portions of Kennesaw Mountain here at home or carrying a backpack loaded with bricks (sorry for the humblebrag). I figured that I could cruise up just about any mountain I wanted. I was wrong. On Friday I hit the Rabun Bald Trail in the Northeast corner of the state and made the challenging 3 mile, 2200 foot climb up Georgia's second highest peak. The final mile or so of this hike is particularly difficult but the reward is well worth the effort - An old stone fire tower at the summit has been outfitted with a viewing platform with 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. And the fact that the three miles back to the car is all downhill is pretty nice too. I shot some video with my new GoPro so here's a short clip at the summit. Now maybe its time to add another brick or two to that backpack....
Edit - Now with full video
trailhead off FS7. Thanks to whoever left the hiking stick - It came in handy on the way down.
I even managed to fool a few trout in the nearby Chattooga River later that day
A few weekends back my wife and I celebrated our anniversary in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. We did a good bit of hiking and summited three of the park's most famous peaks - Stony Man, Little Stony Man and the stunning Mary's Rock. The pictures tell a much better story than me blabbering away.
Chester Gap Cellars, one of many small wineries that dot the Shenandoah valley
typical view from Skyline Drive, the famous 2 lane road that winds through the park
view of Stony Man from Skyline Drive - Can you spot the "face"?
the AT climbs up near the summit of Stony Man
hundred mile views from the summit of Stony Man
Skyline Drive as seen from Little Stony Man
good Virginia white
the AT near the summit of Mary's Rock
Mary's Rock summit. Awesome 360 degree views.
worth carrying the extra 12 oz. up the mountain
Our home for the weekend. It was even smaller than it looks in this picture.
