Flat Top Mountain Loop - November 30, 2013

Reported by Dan Ralston

It was a beautiful day for a hike with Hike Leader Dan Ralston!  Due to the closure of Skyline Drive because of snow and ice we decided to do the Flat Top Mountain Loop and it turned out to be a perfect hike.  We had crisp winter weather, a slight breeze, the sun peeking out between the light clouds and snow covering the ground beside the trek.  We were be able to enjoy the expansive panoramic views of the mountains; of both the Piedmont and the SNP.

We had PATCers popping up from everywhere to join the hike.  We started at AHS with Jeanne Densmore, Wanda Hamilton, Kelly O’Rourke, Kelly Guelli and Anne Colgate.  We made our way to the little country church to park and when we got there Dave Borszich drove up to join the group.  The hike was uphill from the church but the beautiful weather, the woodland farms and the feeling of a wonderful day’s hike ahead set the pace.  Kelly O’Rourke and Jeanne lead the charge up the mountain.

Once at the top we settled in on the sun heated rock outcroppings for a well-deserved lunch and a wonderful view.  Low and behold John Brandt and Clai Lange hiked in to join us.  So our original group of 6 was now a happy group of 9.

We stopped by a newly reconstructed log cabin and met one of the colorful locals hanging out with his Scottie dog whose name we had to guess.  Kelly Guelli guessed it right off!  However this blog being family oriented we won’t print the pooch’s name here.  But the dog did come to the name so we guessed it was for real.  We finished the hike laughing at the day’s events.

One the way back to Charlottesville we stopped at the Moss Vineyard in Nortonville for a tasting and then headed back to AHS.  A perfect hike with a perfect group of people in the winter forests of the Virginia Piedmont.