Sixteen people signed up for Andy Willgruber’s Jump Mountain hike this fine fall day (Katharine Maus, Lee Wenzler, Lindsay Brown, Pete & Bev Fink, Dave Abdallah, Jodi Frederiksen, David Crowe, C.J. Woodburn, Clai Lange, John Brandt, Kelly O’Rourke, Dave Borszich, Marian Styles, Iva Gillet, and Bill Holman). A pretty drive led us to a parking area just west of Goshen Pass. Perhaps invigorated by the weather and scenery (or perhaps being gluttons for punishment), no one joined Bill for a 5-mile substitute to this strenuous route.
A swaying cable bridge over the Maury River launched the hike with a bit of excitement. Only three people at a time can safely cross, and everyone avoided taking an unauthorized swim by not stepping into the void left by a missing slat in the floor of the bridge.
Today’s route is in the Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve and the Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Of several lovely views during the hike, two proved stunning: one overlooking Lake Merriweather, and the other a nearly 360-degree view from Jump Rock (more than 3,000 feet high). Jeff Monroe, who sadly was not with us today, described the view in his blog as including the Shenandoah Valley and Great North Mountain all the way to Buffalo Gap, with a glimpse of Elliot Knob behind Little North Mountain.
Course that elevation meant that we did a lot of climbing throughout the day followed by a lot of descending. This was not a hike for weak knees. The elevation change was 2,600 feet and was about 8 miles. We finished hiking at 5 p.m. after navigating the bridge once more. A few people stayed in the area to camp, some went directly back, and some talked about stopping for refreshments.
A swaying cable bridge over the Maury River launched the hike with a bit of excitement. Only three people at a time can safely cross, and everyone avoided taking an unauthorized swim by not stepping into the void left by a missing slat in the floor of the bridge.
Today’s route is in the Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve and the Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area. Of several lovely views during the hike, two proved stunning: one overlooking Lake Merriweather, and the other a nearly 360-degree view from Jump Rock (more than 3,000 feet high). Jeff Monroe, who sadly was not with us today, described the view in his blog as including the Shenandoah Valley and Great North Mountain all the way to Buffalo Gap, with a glimpse of Elliot Knob behind Little North Mountain.
Course that elevation meant that we did a lot of climbing throughout the day followed by a lot of descending. This was not a hike for weak knees. The elevation change was 2,600 feet and was about 8 miles. We finished hiking at 5 p.m. after navigating the bridge once more. A few people stayed in the area to camp, some went directly back, and some talked about stopping for refreshments.
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Great photos! That is a stiff climb, and I am impressed with the number of folks that made the loop.
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