Since hike leader, Marit Anderson Gay, works on Saturdays she is offering a monthly mid-week hike. The first one took place, Tuesday, June 17 with a 10 mile hike from the Blue Ridge Parkway/Fork Mountain Overlook MP 23. We trekked the Mine Bank-St. Mary's River Trail-Bald Mt. Loop. She was joined by Mark Trail. Grace from Lynchburg inquired about the hike, but was interested in a walk with waterfalls, so we will try to plan that for her in the near future.
The hike began with a descent on the Mine Bank Trail. After an hour we turned onto the St. Mary's River Trail with multiple stream crossings. Rhododendrons were still in bloom and the George Washington National Forest kept us cool on a day when the temperatures were rising in the valley. We climbed up to Green Pond and walked along Forest Service Road #162 picking up trash as we went for a little trail maintenance. We then took the Bald Mountain Trail on a strenuous down and up section to return back to the Fork Mountain Overlook. The 10 mile hike was quite enjoyable, but we were tired after the 5 hour route. Much of the trail was overgrown, so we plan to bring some clippers next time!
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| Some of the interesting things we saw on the trail |
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| Chicken of the Woods mushrooms |
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| Polyphemus moth |
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