On a sunny, clear day 16 hikers followed Bill Holman and Mark Walkup from Johnson Cabin on the Vining Tract to the summit of Hightop Mountain, in a low impact bushwhack. CJ Woodburn, Iva Gillet and Bill had stayed at Conley cabin the night before to celebrate Geoff Manning-Smith’s 60th birthday. As a Vining Tract trail overseer, Geoff couldn’t imagine a better way to spend his birthday- trail work followed by a cozy cabin weekend with terrific food! CJ, Bill and Iva were able to run the shuttle to Swift Run Gap in advance of Pete and Bev Fink arriving with the other hikers from Albemarle High School. Joining from there was Jodi Frederickson, Dave Abdallah, Lindsay Brown, Clai Lange with new hiker Leslie McDonald, Marian Styles, Brian Muszynski. Ruth and Mark Walkup, being local Vining Tract overseers and Greene County residents, met us at the Blue Ridge Pottery, and Dan Ralston (also a Vining Tract trail overseer), Jeanne Densmore and Tom Miller met us at the trailhead.
The ladies were happy to use the Johnson cabin privy- a well decorated and bright one- and then off we went with Mark Walkup at point and Bill as sweep. We were able to follow an old logging road for much of this hike, meaning that the going was much easier. While Mark charged ahead, with the most ambitious following closely, the group spread out, as we ascended the east side of Hightop. We reconvened from time to time, before reaching an old homesite for a snack. From here, we traveled along another logging road and reached the base of the cliffs. This is where the SNP part of the bushwhack starts, with several different routes available. Reaching the top of the cliffs for our lunch break, the view was lovely, looking into Mutton Hollow and far beyond. The new hikers enjoyed the PATC tradition of “treats” provided by the hiker leader- Mission Home pumpkin bread and mint cookies in the shape of stars. Dave disappeared for some time, checking out the rock climbing challenges of the cliffs that Jodi and he would like to enjoy.
When we were replenished, we walked over relatively flat terrain to meet the AT just below the summit of Hightop. Mark led to several overlooks to the west, before Dan lead those interested to the tree covered Hightop summit, highest point in the southern SNP. From here, we traveled north on the AT, crossed the Skyline Drive, and returned to our cars waiting at Swift Run Gap. We are able to creatively pile everyone into the cars for our descent to Lydia. Dan then drove the shuttle drivers back to get the vehicles from Johnson cabin. All agreed that we enjoyed this unusual approach to Hightop and the camaraderie of hiking together on a lovely December day.
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