.September 3, 2006
Today Lynn and I drove up to Skyland to continue our trek across Shenandoah National Park. The other day I had climbed to Stony Man Mountain, the 2nd tallest mountain in the Shennies. It was completely fogged in, but today the weather was perfect so I decided a couple extra bonus miles would be well spent. Lynn came with me as I made my second climb to the summit. It was a short hike, less than a mile. I was glad I returned. Here's a few pictures of the view I missed a few days ago.
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From here I ran back down to where we parked and continued along the AT. The AT doesn't go directly to Skyland. It would be a couple more tenths of a mile. I had been there before when I drove the Skyline Drive back in 2002 so I didn't return. Lynn, however, did check it out. Here's some pictures she took.
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Ironically, there isn't much off a view from here. There are much better views on the AT and Skyline Drive.
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The deer are so close to being tame here. I found it even more so near the Skyland area.
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This one really surprised me. I thought she would be nervous as she was laying down, but she let me walk within a few yards of her.
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Near the south entrance to Skyland I went by a stable.
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There are no horses allowed along the AT, but the AT does cross paths with this equestrian trail for about 50 feet so I guess they let the rule slide a little.
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Here's a look ahead to Hawksbill. At 4050 it is the highest mountain in Shenandoah National Park. It's not on the AT but I can't pass up the chance to climb this.
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More views
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I met Lynn at Hawksbill Gap and we began the non-AT climb. It was about 1.7 miles round trip. Just shy of the summit is Byrd's Nest #3 Shelter.
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There was such a great view from here. You could literally be in your sleeping bag in the shelter and watch the sunset.
Almost there
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Hawksbill Summit
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The near 360 degree view was incredible.
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I ran down the mountain back to the car and once again hopped on the AT. Here's a look back at the Skyline Drive
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Back on the trail
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View from Franklin Cliffs.
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My beautiful blue sky is disappearing.
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I heard a branch break from high above. Lynn and I had seen a bear climb down a tree the day before so I looked all around. I didn't see anything. It must have been a large bird or squirrel. Just then I heard a loud noise from a tree about 15 feet away. I looked up to see a bear scrambling down the tree and I was just a few feet from the bottom of it. Black bears will not bother you unless you are in their territory. Well, I was in his territory. I ran down the trail. I didn't want to be at the bottom of the tree when he got there. The bear crossed the AT where I snapped his picture. Unfortunately, my flash went off unexpectedly resulting in a dark picture. I lightened the picture in PhotoShop. I know, I know. It kind of looks like one of those blurry pictures that people send in when they claim to have seen Big Foot, but it's the best bear picture I was able to get.
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After a day and a half of sun, it looks like the rain is coming back.
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The AT then makes a wide semi-circle around Big Meadows campground. The trail stays in the woods but Big Meadows is a wide open area on the top of the mountain. I drove through here one evening a few years ago and the deer were everywhere. Lynn checked out Big Meadows today. Here's some photos she took.
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I passed the back side of the lodge at Big Meadows.
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I've lost count how many deer that I've seen today, but then again, I can't count very high. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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I wasn't expecting a cemetery up here in the middle of nowhere.
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Another reminder
that horses aren't allowed on the AT.
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All the deer in the park look so healthy, but this one looked awfully thin.
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I hope she isn't sick.
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Almost all the deer I saw in the park were does.
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Lynn met me at Milam Gap, Bootens Gap, and finally near the Bearfence Mountain Hut. Before meeting her the last time, I made another side trip to the top of Bearfence Mountain. Here's the view.
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One more day in the Shennies. I am getting used to seeing bear. Maybe I'll see one more before I finish tomorrow. I then have 2 more hikes planned near the Blue Ridge Parkway before I jump ahead to do a section near Roanoke where I will finally get to meet Runtrails(Sue) and her husband Jim as well as their dogs Cody Pup and Tater. I am amazed how much wildlife you see here. Tomorrow maybe I'll see a woolly mammoth, sabertooth tiger, or tyrannosaurus rex.
This was my best day in the Shennies. I climbed the highest 2 peaks, had great weather, saw lots of deer, saw a bear, and most of all got to hike with Lynn throughout the day.
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