This was another day where the group converged, more or less, from different directions. Andy Willgruber met Rita Kieffer and John Brandt at Albemarle High School and drove this small nucleus to Exit 240 on I-81, where they met up with hike leader Ken Moss. We had all been keeping our eyes on the weather forecast for the day, which had increasingly threatened rain showers as the day progressed. Driving west we couldn't help but notice ominous dark skies hovering over West Virginia. From Mt. Crawford everyone transferred to Ken's car (leaving Andy's in a Burger King parking lot) for the drive to the trailhead on Briery Branch Road in George Washington National Forest. After waiting awhile for a planned link-up with Iva Gillet and Bill Holman, who were camping in nearby Sugar Grove, WV, the group decided there must have been a change in plans and elected to forge ahead up the trail.
We began by strolling down California Road and crossing Briery Branch before reaching the junction with the Lynn Trail near a hunting camp. This trail took us on a steady uphill climb of almost 2 miles before making a right turn on the Wolf Ridge Trail. This short section continued the climb, with a fairly steep portion included before finally reaching the Timber Ridge Trail, where things leveled out nicely for a pleasant ridgeline walk for almost three miles, stopping for lunch in the sunshine which had broken out as midday progressed.
We eventually emerged from the Timber Ridge Trail onto the paved Forest Service Road 85, which looped us quickly up to the summit of Reddish Knob (4,397 ft. altitude) on the Virginia - West Virginia state line. From here we enjoyed expansive views into both West Virginia and east toward the Shenandoah Valley. The weather had continued to improve, with partly cloudy skies and dry, cool air causing us to add a layer for warmth. An added treat was the beautiful display of Fall colors at this higher altitude...it seemed that the colors are coming early this year.
After taking in the glorious panoramas at the summit, we began the descent down the paved road towards the car parked 6.5 miles away...but just as we approached the upper Timber Ridge Trailhead, who should emerge onto the road but Iva and Bill, who had just completed their ascent from where our car was parked! They had arrived late at the trailhead... but only about 10 minutes after we had left! We all enjoyed the happy impromptu reunion, describing our exploits of the morning. Then they suggested that they could shuttle us back down the road to our car, since they had Bill's SUV parked at the summit (a friend from Sugar Grove had dropped them at the trailhead). After some debate of the merits of walking 6 miles on a paved road versus a shuttle ride, we determined to at least begin the descent on foot and then hitch a ride with Iva and Bill during their descent...so we began the walk, taking in the more scenic stretches of the road before being picked up by Bill and Iva for the ride back to Ken's car.
We had been discussing all day what to do for après-hike activities on our return drive home, but Bill said that he was going to check on a geocache he has on nearby Bother Knob, so we decided that with our time savings thanks to the shuttle that we could make that excursion, which sounded interesting. The weather by then was absolutely beautiful, without a cloud in the sky, so we weren't too eager to leave the mountains. We caught up with and followed Bill's SUV up a rough dirt (and at times muddy) road...Ken was sure his Subaru was smiling as we bounced along the road! After a couple of miles we all parked and continued on foot for the last mile, ending with a final bushwhack to the summit of Bother Knob. Iva took charge of Bill's GPS and masterfully found the geocache without a misstep.
We then headed back to our cars and parted company with Bill and Iva, who returned to Sugar Grove. The rest of the group returned to Mt. Crawford to retrieve Andy's car and then proceeded to Staunton, where we had dinner at Texas Steakhouse in celebration of Ken's birthday the previous day. With the shuttle ride and excursion to Bother Knob, we did about 9 miles on foot...considerably less than the 12 miles planned, but nobody was complaining! It was a great day to be out and everyone enjoyed the views and companionship.
We eventually emerged from the Timber Ridge Trail onto the paved Forest Service Road 85, which looped us quickly up to the summit of Reddish Knob (4,397 ft. altitude) on the Virginia - West Virginia state line. From here we enjoyed expansive views into both West Virginia and east toward the Shenandoah Valley. The weather had continued to improve, with partly cloudy skies and dry, cool air causing us to add a layer for warmth. An added treat was the beautiful display of Fall colors at this higher altitude...it seemed that the colors are coming early this year.
After taking in the glorious panoramas at the summit, we began the descent down the paved road towards the car parked 6.5 miles away...but just as we approached the upper Timber Ridge Trailhead, who should emerge onto the road but Iva and Bill, who had just completed their ascent from where our car was parked! They had arrived late at the trailhead... but only about 10 minutes after we had left! We all enjoyed the happy impromptu reunion, describing our exploits of the morning. Then they suggested that they could shuttle us back down the road to our car, since they had Bill's SUV parked at the summit (a friend from Sugar Grove had dropped them at the trailhead). After some debate of the merits of walking 6 miles on a paved road versus a shuttle ride, we determined to at least begin the descent on foot and then hitch a ride with Iva and Bill during their descent...so we began the walk, taking in the more scenic stretches of the road before being picked up by Bill and Iva for the ride back to Ken's car.
We had been discussing all day what to do for après-hike activities on our return drive home, but Bill said that he was going to check on a geocache he has on nearby Bother Knob, so we decided that with our time savings thanks to the shuttle that we could make that excursion, which sounded interesting. The weather by then was absolutely beautiful, without a cloud in the sky, so we weren't too eager to leave the mountains. We caught up with and followed Bill's SUV up a rough dirt (and at times muddy) road...Ken was sure his Subaru was smiling as we bounced along the road! After a couple of miles we all parked and continued on foot for the last mile, ending with a final bushwhack to the summit of Bother Knob. Iva took charge of Bill's GPS and masterfully found the geocache without a misstep.
We then headed back to our cars and parted company with Bill and Iva, who returned to Sugar Grove. The rest of the group returned to Mt. Crawford to retrieve Andy's car and then proceeded to Staunton, where we had dinner at Texas Steakhouse in celebration of Ken's birthday the previous day. With the shuttle ride and excursion to Bother Knob, we did about 9 miles on foot...considerably less than the 12 miles planned, but nobody was complaining! It was a great day to be out and everyone enjoyed the views and companionship.
Had no idea leaves had turned that much out west - thanks for the photos. I need to take a day and get out there this week. Sorry to have missed this trip, but was taking the Scouts all the way around the Rivanna Trail on a 22 mile hike.
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