Overlook from Miller's Cove Parking Area on AT

 Today's journey took us on a nice walk in the woods.  The "payoff" wasn't quite what I had hoped, but it was still an enjoyable walk through the woods and we didn't encounter another soul.  From the Miller Cove parking area on the Appalachian Trail, (37.390512602, -80.1963488276) we headed on AT Northbound (across the street from the parking offshoot and over wooden bridge over the creek).  We walked until we reached the overlook/viewpoint shown in the photos below (~2 miles in).  Note - the first two viewpoints noted on the below map are just relatively clear areas, but not exactly viewpoints.  We missed them on the way up since we were expecting something more dramatic.

Screenshot from the AT conservancy interactive map showing our route.  This is ~2 miles each way, so ~4 miles total.

Casey at the overlook (viewpoint 3 on map above)

One of the cleared areas off the side of the AT.  As you can see, it's pretty, but not exactly a viewpoint (I assume this is viewpoint 1 marked on the map above).

Molly's Knob Loop - Hungry Mother State Park

 Casey and I stopped at Hungry Mother State Park en route to Asheville, VA in October and took the opportunity to hike Molly's Knob while we were there.  We did a roughly 5.5 mile loop which included an ascent to the top of Molly's Knob (see map below).  It was overall a nice hike with a simple, but beautiful overlook.  No rock scrambling was necessary and although the ascent to Molly's Knob was steep, I recall it being a moderate hike overall.

Trayfoot Mountain-Paine Run Loop - Shenandoah National Park

 We lucked out on our trip to Trayfoot Mountain.  We had no idea upon arrival that it was National Public Lands Day when we did this hike, so the entrance fee to the national park was waived.  The best payoff of this hike was at mile ~1.25, but the whole thing was pleasant.  There were two overlooks, a few nice creek crossings, and a very nice cleared backcountry camping area near one of the creeks.

We followed the directions found on Hiking Upward: https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/TrayfootMountainPaineRun/

Approaching Blackrock summit ~1.25 miles into the trip

View from Blackrock Summit.  This area was quite popular because of the rock scrambling, gorgeous views, and proximity to the parking area

Looking towards Buzzard Rock (to the left in this photo).  Smaller viewpoint than Blackrock summit, but also nice.

The creek near our campsite

 

Rock Castle Gorge

 It had been years since we had done Rock Castle Gorge!  This time, we parked at Rocky Knob campground (i.e. "car camping" campground) on the Blue Ridge Parkway and took the ~3 mile hike into the gorge before spending the night at the backcountry campground near the base of the gorge.  Note that although the "backcountry" campground doesn't have running water, it does include bear vaults, fire pits, and a porta john so it's a nice "beginner" backpacking option.  There is also a parking lot that brings you within a few tenths of a mile of the "backcountry" campground.  Also note - you need to pick up a free permit from Rocky Knob campground if staying in the backcountry space.

The campsite at the base of the gorge

Honey and I nearing the end of the hike

Casey and pup nearing the end of the hike

Craig Creek Valley Overlook on AT - Brush Mountain East Wilderness

 It's interesting to me how different people find different pieces of hiking fulfilling.  Although this hike wasn't as much my cup of tea because our final destination "overlook" was really obscured, Casey really enjoyed the multiple creeks and woodsy ambiance.  We walked ~1.4 miles in to a somewhat obscured overlook ridge and then back again.  It was a quiet hike and if you like creeks, it was really nice.

From AT interactive map.  Park at 37.3793468795, -80.2502299672 and start directly across street from parking lot.

Our "final destination" - you can see that in the winter, views are there, but not particularly noteworthy compared to some of the more well-known overlooks in the area.

Sinking Creek Vistas on AT

 It's always a good day when you discover something so beautiful so close to home that you had yet to discover.  I can't believe that this stunning little section of the AT hasn't been more widely advertised as a place to check out.  If you like "meadowy" hikes with sweeping vistas, this is a must do.  And bonus - it's less than 30 minutes from Virginia Tech.

Vista on the far side of rt 42 from the trailhead

Vista between the parking area and rt. 42

Neat covered bridge on our drive in

The Keffer Oak

I bet it's even more splendid in the summer.

Vista right near the oak tree

Smart View Loop

Casey and I are continually seeking new day hikes in Southwest VA that we haven't yet done.  Smart View Loop fit the bill and was short enough for me to handle as I ease back into walking longer distances.  It was a nice, low-traffic, relatively easy hike with some pretty views.  The views don't begin to match some of the more well known hikes in Southwest VA such as McAfee's Knob, but they were still quite pretty and it was nice to spend a day outside and enjoy the quiet.

Photo of the sign at the parking lot.  The trail is 2.6 miles total if you do the exterior loop.

On the trail

One nice overlook

Overlook and a neat old cabin

Lake Drummond

 Ooph.  I have not been managing this blog well lately.  I ended up with a stress fracture in my foot at the end of the summer and thus commenced an extended hiatus from hiking.  Of course, with the pandemic in our midst, getting outside had been one of my primary sources of sanity to ride out the storm.  With the foot in a fracture boot, I took to kayaking in the late summer and into the fall as a safe way to get outside and stay off of my foot.  This is an overdue post, but I figured I'd share our trip to Lake Drummond.

If you're looking for a beginner friendly, kayak camping trip, look no farther.  With the luxuries of car camping (i.e. picnic tables, flush toilets, and a roofed/screened in pavilion) and the solitude of backpacking, this was a pretty neat experience.  It was ~ a 3.5 mile paddle each way from the boat ramp to the campsite and then another half mile paddle to the lake, so it wasn't anything too strenuous.  And, with only one turn and virtually no current, it's easy to navigate and paddle.  I'd absolutely go back!

Almost at the lake

Looking at the entrance to the lake just before sunset

Reflection on the still water

Having such a vast swath of water seemingly all to ourselves was surreal

More cypress reflections

Enjoying some Dairy Queen from the drive through window post trip (and she didn't even paddle!)