Austin Mountain Trail - December 10, 2016

Participants included Dan Ralston, Jeanne Densmore, Claire Cline, Taylor Putney, Art Bykonen, Patrick Cory, Marley McGrath, Anne Colgate, Mark Gatewood, Iva Gillet and Remy (pup). Not pictured: Mark Perschel.  John Brandt was on the trail, but was not able to connect with the group.

December 10 was a cold, windless day starting in the low 30's.  Marit Anderson was supposed to lead the hike, but a family medical emergency took her to Northern Virginia instead.  Fortunately her boyfriend, Mark Perschel, had pre-hiked the Austin Mt. Trail with her a few weeks earlier, so he was in charge of the day.  The group of ten other hikers met at Rockfish Gap and also at the trail head on Rt. 663 near Grottoes.  The route was begun at the western edge of the Shenandoah National Park and went up the Austin Mountain Trail, intersecting at the Rocky Top Trail, and then returning down the Madison Run Fire Road. Total mileage for the day was 9.6 miles with 1,603 ascent - with 1,000 ft elevation gain in the first mile. The talus slope and rocky terrain on the way up made for some tricky footing, but the descent was gentle down the fire road.  Interesting points along the way included discussion of the worm holes on the rocks, speculation about the area when the furnace was being used, and enjoying the ridge line views of Furnace Mountain, Trayfoot Mountain and the Shenandoah Valley.  Mark Gatewood did some trail maintenance by taking care of a blowdown. Everyone seemed happy with the hike and the day....glad Mark Trail could make it happen.

submitted by Marit Anderson