Saturday, October 29, ten hikers including leaders Pete Fink and Marit Anderson met up at different points and eventually arrived at Gravel Springs Gap in the Shenandoah National Park to do an adventure hike that Pete and Marit had attempted before - hike down the Big Devils Stairs Trail but return through the gorge where the original trail had been many years before. Two years ago this had been too wet and slick to attempt, but this day the conditions were perfect- dry and warm. The group included John Brandt, David Crowe, Trude Havik, Marie Moss, Dave Borszich, Michael Seth, Gabriel Garretson, and Iva Gillet with Remy, super hiking dog.
We hiked down the fire road to the Bluff Trail and then the Big Devils Stairs Trail. The views from the outlying rocks were spectacular. Colors were at their peak. We enjoyed a snack, took photos, and continued down to the creek bed below.
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| Iva and Remy admire the gorge |
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| Trude - happy this visiting Norwegian professor joined us |
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| Marit - glad to be out on a gorgeous day |
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Once we got to the southern terminus of the existing trail we had lunch and then used GPS and the rock stream bed to follow back up to the top. Lots of boulders, downed trees, overgrown brush, poison ivy, nettles, and creek water to contend with, making it an adventure for sure.
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| Gabriel and others enjoy lunch and homemade dark chocolate multi-chip cookies |
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| Dave, artist and hiker, contemplates the ascent. Phew! |
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| David is ready to go! |
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| Marie and Iva just keep climbing |
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| Pete - the leader - takes a breather |
Remy was the happiest dog ever today!
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| John ran, climbed, swam, and helped the whole gang |
The day ended late, a long haul for many, but we all made it to the top and rejoined the Bluff Trail making our way back to the parking lot. We hiked only 5.84 miles, but the mile steep ascent with 1,406 ft. gain over all the obstacles on a warm day, was a work-out comparable to hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Great job everyone! Pete and Marit will keep you posted for our next grand adventure.
submitted by Marit Anderson
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