Humpback Rocks - November 23, 2013

Reported by Ken Moss

View toward Wintergreen.

This hike offered access to a classic regional destination, but from a different direction than most people take. Rather than hiking up the steep climb from Humpack Gap Parking, we drove further south along the Blue Ridge Parkway to begin our hike at the Humpback Rocks Picnic Area.

We followed a short side trail from the picnic area which connected us to the Appalachian Trail, which we then followed northward. Though there were still some decent grades along this section, they were generally short and didn't pose much of a challenge... and certainly less tedious than the slog up the trail most people use.

After a short stop to admire the view from near the summit of Humpback Mountain, Hike Leader Ken Moss cleverly led the group the wrong way on the trail for a few minutes, just to see if they were paying attention... happily they passed this test and we soon resumed our our hike in the correct direction toward The Rocks.

Once at Humpback Rocks we admired the views and also had a treat, witnessing a marriage proposal by a young couple, with our own Maynard Davis acting as the impromptu official photographer. The hike back to the cars was uneventful.

The entire group, including Wanda Hamlin, Joanne and Maynard Davis, Leon Gorman, Kelly O'Rourke and Dave Borszich, stopped by Blue Mountain Brewery on the drive back for a bite to eat.