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  1. #1
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    Rock Castle Gorge, Virginia

    Had to work late Friday but was able to get a great trip in to Rock Castle Gorge, off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Rocky Knob in Virginia, this past weekend. It's only about an hour and a half away. My friend TJ and his son were able to come with me as well.

    I had last hiked this trail in 2007, and had forgotten how steep it can be. It was a fairly strenuous hike, first day down into the gorge, and the next day back up. It is a beautiful loop trail with the backcountry campsite situated at the bottom (next to a stream) about halfway through the loop. The campsite had in the past been the site of a CCC camp from when they were building the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are still some remnants of houses back in the woods, as up to 30 families used to live in the area before the Parkway came. In total it's a little over 10 miles I think.

    We had a great time, had the big fire Saturday night, and another wonderful hike back out. It seemed everywhere there were streams flowing, and we had perfect weather except for a few sprinkles as we got started on the way out.

    I had a little mishap with some missed footing in the stream at the campsite and ended up getting all of my clothes wet, but most of them dried out enough to wear around. Ooops. Next time I will bring a bit extra just in case.

    In any event, a very successful trip. I still have the sore muscles to prove it.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/brownpa...orgeApril2011#
    Attached Images Attached Images


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
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  2. #2
    richtorfla's Avatar
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    Thanks for sharing your trip! The pics are great. VA. is a beautiful state. Miss living there as I grew up in Norfolk. The only thing I don't miss is the poison ivy. For some reason I am very allergic to VA ivy. I can be two foot away from it and get it. Down here in Fl, I have tromped through it here and so far never got a rash. Man those pics make me need to get back up there!

  3. #3
    Senior Member Hawk-eye's Avatar
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    Right pretty place! So ... how is the tick population shaping this season so far?

    WARNING: Will discuss Rhurbarb Strawberry Pie and Livermush at random.


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  4. #4
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    No ticks to speak of, but the millipedes and centipedes are out in force. And the teensy biting noseeums (midges?) were noticeable but not too bad after the temps dropped a bit. I slept without a bugnet and was fine.

    Richtorfla, you'd love the trip I'm sure of it. I did see some huge poison ivy vines, but it wasn't everywhere.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
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    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  5. #5
    Herder of Cats OutandBack's Avatar
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    Love the stream shots.
    It's been a long winter and so nice to see all the green coming back to the forest.

    Glad you were able to get your cloths dried.

  6. #6
    Senior Member MedicineMan's Avatar
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    NCP thanks for posting.
    Now didn't the BRP displace the AT esp. in that area?

  7. #7
    Senior Member eflat7's Avatar
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    I need to do that one. I am still working to get my CUIS pics up! Too many trips I want to do.

  8. #8
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MedicineMan View Post
    NCP thanks for posting.
    Now didn't the BRP displace the AT esp. in that area?
    Yes, according to the history:
    The trail to Rocky Knob is narrow and steep, and affords outstanding views. Just downhill from Rocky Knob, an Appalachian Trail shelter serves as a reminder that the famous "AT" used to wend its way along this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway before its relocation to the west in the 1950s.
    By accident, we bypassed the view from Rocky Knob and that old shelter. We went straight on a red blazed trail to the Saddle, and ended up missing that part of the trail entirely. Next time I'll make sure to get there.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
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    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
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  9. #9
    Tripod's Avatar
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    Nice pictures, we would like to get back to Virginia again. Thanks for sharing.

  10. #10
    Member Visionmonger's Avatar
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    LOVE that trail! I ned to get on it again now thanks to your pics!
    "If you push something hard enough it will fall over."
    -Fudd's first law of opposition.

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