Hightop Mountain Soup Hike - February 4, 2017

submitted by Iva Gillet

     Cold and windy - perfect weather for a shorter hike nearby, so that it could be followed by a soup social and watching UVa basketball. While Iva Gillet collected Lindsay Brown, John Shannon, Marie Moss, Tony Alimenti, Lisa Lampe and Max the reliable hiking dog, Neil McKinney and Brian Muszynski from AHS, others were arriving at Iva's Briarleigh Farm. Assembling there were Gabriel Garrettson, Michael Seth, Leon Gorman, Dave Borszich, John Brandt, Pat Peason and Geoff Manning-Smith. We had two father/son pairs hiking today with veteran long distance hiker Mark Perschel and his son Mark, visiting from Alabama, and Eric Geilker and his son Adam, both joining us for the first time. Adam was recently featured in an article written by PATC member Jeannie Siler which appeared in the Potomac Appalachian January newsletter on page 21: http://www.patc.net/PATC/Library/Newsletter/PA-2017/January_2017.aspx about his flip-flop/yo-yo thru hike of the AT last year.  The final group was the Crozet Xpress driven by David Crowe, who brought CJ Woodburn, Rich Bard, Nancy Handley in addition to the Perschels. 

     After collecting two more dogs - Remy and Colt and piling into all 4 WD vehicles, we began the adventure, which commenced with the ascent up Snow Mountain Road. This a rugged gravel road that winds up Snow Mountain toward Smith Roach Gap.  Steep drop-offs, muddy roadbed, and water across the road, helped invigorate us for the fun ahead. It was very windy at the top, and we added layers before heading out.

     Bill Holman led four others on the shorter, three mile loop starting at the edge of the Shenandoah National Park. The others, and all three dogs, began further down the road, and upon entering the Park ran across a large blow-down. Giving back to the trail, as thru-hikers do, Adam Geilker led the assault on the tangled mess. We hiked the Smith Roach fire road to the Smith Roach Gap, and then headed north on the AT, climbing toward the Hightop Hut. A lovely, sunny day allowed us to enjoy the views around us. Both groups convened at the intersection of Hightop fire road and the AT, took pictures, and then Bill’s group descended to head back to the farm to heat up the soup and watch the UVa game.

     All others continued to the Hightop Hut for a quick snack and to see Adam’s entry in the hut log book from last September’s thru hike.  Brian and Colt led the group to the grand viewpoint on Hightop Mountain, where we enjoyed the expanse into the Valley.  Then we were back to the cars and to the farm for the three soups that Bill Holman had prepared for our lunch feast. Marian Styles had arrived before the hikers, so she joined the farm fun and ample food. Great conversations and outdoor friends are an unbeatable combination!