Staunton River - July 7, 2012
In spite of the dire heat predictions 7 PATC hikers: Ken Moss, John Brandt, Liz Lyons, Eric Christenson, Leon + Bailey and Bev & Pete Fink left Charlottesville for Graves Mill where we met Michael Seth and began our climb up the Staunton River Trail. The hike was originally scheduled to go to Bear Church Rock but weather warnings prompted a change of plans. We would hike up the Staunton River Trail until a cooling pool appeared and then take advantage of it. The trail started out warm and within 30 minutes we were in the water.
Continuing along we intended to have lunch at the stream near the McDaniel Hollow Trail junction. When we got there the stream was dry. The consensus was to go up further to the Stanton River Crossing. The character of the trail changed from the old road to a soft path through shaded woods where all memories of the heat disappeared. Thanks to Eric’s foresight in bringing a saw along, several downed trees were dealt with quickly. Before long we arrived at the lunch spot which proved to be an excellent choice…shade, cool water, mossy rocks and butterflies. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, we continued up the trail to the next crossing which was impeded by an extremely large downed tree – to big for Eric and his saw. At this point Ken said, “this is the wrong direction for beer”.
With that we turned around and began to retrace our steps until Ken and Liz spotted a large and deeper pool which no one could resist. After another soaking we headed down toward the cars, the temperature rising as we dropped in elevation. Arriving at the trail head several in the group couldn’t pass up one final dip in the Rapidan before boarding the cars and heading to Timberlake Grill to rehydrate and replenish our energy stores.
In spite of the dire heat predictions 7 PATC hikers: Ken Moss, John Brandt, Liz Lyons, Eric Christenson, Leon + Bailey and Bev & Pete Fink left Charlottesville for Graves Mill where we met Michael Seth and began our climb up the Staunton River Trail. The hike was originally scheduled to go to Bear Church Rock but weather warnings prompted a change of plans. We would hike up the Staunton River Trail until a cooling pool appeared and then take advantage of it. The trail started out warm and within 30 minutes we were in the water.
Continuing along we intended to have lunch at the stream near the McDaniel Hollow Trail junction. When we got there the stream was dry. The consensus was to go up further to the Stanton River Crossing. The character of the trail changed from the old road to a soft path through shaded woods where all memories of the heat disappeared. Thanks to Eric’s foresight in bringing a saw along, several downed trees were dealt with quickly. Before long we arrived at the lunch spot which proved to be an excellent choice…shade, cool water, mossy rocks and butterflies. After enjoying a relaxing lunch, we continued up the trail to the next crossing which was impeded by an extremely large downed tree – to big for Eric and his saw. At this point Ken said, “this is the wrong direction for beer”.
With that we turned around and began to retrace our steps until Ken and Liz spotted a large and deeper pool which no one could resist. After another soaking we headed down toward the cars, the temperature rising as we dropped in elevation. Arriving at the trail head several in the group couldn’t pass up one final dip in the Rapidan before boarding the cars and heading to Timberlake Grill to rehydrate and replenish our energy stores.
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