We started by hiking up Grindstone Mountain on the Wild Oak Trail. This is a long, steep climb as several noted but we able to get most of the hard part done while it was still morning. We had lunch on a mossy overlook near the top looking to the West. Iva passed out cookies and others offered to share other food (but not the hike leader who violated the chapter’s tradition by not providing treats). Our great concern was for the mountain bikers who have increasingly taken over the trails on Shenandoah Mountain making hiking sometimes scary, dangerous experience as they race down the trails with little warning. Fortunately the only mountain bikers we encountered were speeding down the trail when we were off it having lunch.
Soon after lunch we turned on to the four mile Grooms Ridge Trail which despite the best efforts of the trail overseers was somewhat overgrown in sections. Andy and Michael Smith clipped as they hiked, helping hack back some of the overgrowth. In so doing, Michael was able to spot some unique wildflowers with his usual talent for such. We saw many healthy looking chestnuts as well as ghost stands of trees killed a few years ago by the gypsy moths. At the summit, Kelly pulled out her peak finder app so that we could locate all the adjoining Knobs in this area. After resting on the knob in the midway point of the trail to enjoy the great view we began our descent downward with Marian Styles leading the way. We again enjoyed having Samara join us, as she recently moved here for a UVa fellowship. As well, Art traveled from the Richmond area for one of Dr Seth’s infamous hikes. Kelly was worried that the hike would fall short of the 9 miles advertised but a road walk back to the parking lot made in 9.2 miles.
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