Multi hike: AT South from Rockfish Gap/Mint Springs - November 18, 2018

Hike Part 1- AT South from Rockfish Gap

Hike Part 2 - Mint Springs Park

Flexibility was the word for the day on November 18.  Dan and Jeanne Ralston were supposed to lead the 10 mile hike from Rockfish Gap to the Paul Wolfe Shelter and back, but unfortunately Dan had a medical accident the day prior. So Marit Anderson and Mark Perschel, who had planned to take the hike, were asked to take charge.  Marit had a concern about the hike knowing that the Blue Ridge Mountains had been hit hard by the ice storm earlier in the week.  Indeed, the Shenandoah National Park was closed and many of the treetops were sheared off the top as we approached Rockfish Gap.  Nonetheless, the five hikers including Jocelyn Prostko, Michael Matz, Nancy Handley, Mark, and Marit began the hike on the Appalachian Trail south.  Downed trees, branches, and ice shards littered the trail from the get-go.The group hiked for about 45 minutes and after talking to a thru-hiker camped below the trail with information that the trail was covered with continuous downed trees the next 4 miles, the consensus was to turn back and head to a lower elevation to find decent hiking. We piled into our cars and drove to Mint Springs Park in Albemarle County.  Marit led a familiar 4.5 mile loop on the Big Survey Trail, Fire Trail, Little Yellow Trail, Hollow Trail, and Lake Trails, which have an 800 ft ascent, so actually is a good workout.  Temperatures continued to climb and the group had a delightful time with a lunch stop at the bench overlooking the King Family Vineyards.  At the end of the excursion we clocked in with 6 miles of hiking and were pleased with the flexibility of the fivesome to make it a good day on the trails.

The Appalachian Trail from Rockfish Gap south was littered with downed trees and branches

We had a nice hike on the trails at Mint Springs and lunch at the overlook

submitted by Marit Anderson