Ramblin Round: An Adventure or Two: 8/31/08

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Best Cliffs - McAfees Knob/Tinker Cliffs

We've been told by many that McAfees Knob is the most photographed place on the entire AT mainly becuase of the cliffs that jut out over the valley below with a vertical drop underneath. It is located just north of Catawba Virginia and is frequented by many dayhikers, but luckily it wasn't crowded at all when we were there early on a sunday morning. We passed Tinker Cliffs the same day as McAffes Knob and they were equally amazing. Tinker Cliffs are a little more remote and afford slightly better views, but lack the picturesque rocks of McAfees so its hard to pick a favorite.

The trail followed along the edge of Tinker Cliffs providing breathtaking views along this quarter mile long stretch

Best Swimming Hole - Dismal Falls

Dismal Falls came as a very nice break from an otherwise hot few days in southern Virginia. It was located about half a mile on a side trail in an stretch of the AT where there weren't many other noteworthy places to see. There was a great swimming hole right underneath the falls and a tentsite just behind a large rock that allowed us to camp near the falls without getting all of our stuff soaked by the mist in the process. The creek was wide and littered with large boulders that made exploring the area a lot of fun. We were very tempted to take a zero day here, but we were running low on food and needed to keep going.

Our Campsite

View From on top of the Falls

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Best Waterfall - Laurel Fork Falls

The best waterfall we saw the entire trip was probably Laurel Fork Falls. The waterfall was on the Laurel Fork River about 30 miles or so after Roan Mountain (I think). Like many of the other spectacular sites on the trail it came with a cost - a very steep/rocky hike down, but obviously well worth it. Not only were the falls nice, but the river was a godsend because we were in desperate need of a bath (it had been about 5 days). There was also a great shelter with a nice spring located high up on a rocky area close the falls.

The trail wrapped around this rocky area just above Laurel Fork River

Hiking through a blooming rhododendron tunnel on the way to the falls

Laurel Fork Shelter

The Laurel Fork River

Best Rock Outcropping - Dragons Tooth

Located a few miles south of Catawba Virginia is an amazing Rock Outcropping known as Dragons Tooth. One of our favorite aspects of this formation was the climbable rock face that allows one to scramble up to the top. On top the top we had great 360 degree views of the surrounding area - kind of like you would have from a fire tower. The climb was a little scary but well worth the effort.

Climbing up was a little easier than climbing down

Brian on the top

Favorite Places: #1 (Tied) Roan Highlands

A view of Big Hump

Located in the Northern Section of North Carolina is Roan Mountain. It starts out with a tough 2000ft climb as you gradually make your ascent through everchanging forests until you reach the open summit with great views of the surrounding areas. It was also the location of the Cloudland Hotel, built in the 1800s as a resort - only a few ruins now remain. From there it was a short hike over to Roan High Knob - a wooded summit that has a great shelter and cold spring located right in the middle of a spruce/fir forrest. From there you make your way down to a gap with a parking area (this is where we met mom and dad). We hiked back up to Roan High Knob to spend the night with them at the summit. It was a cold night up above 6000 feet and a little rainy - the shelter on top of Roan High Knob is a 4 sided cabin (formerly a fire marshalls cabin) and is the highest shelter on the trail. The next day we hiked back down to the gap then up to Round Bald and Jane Bald. The weather was a little cloudy so the views weren't great, but watching the clouds sweep over the open grasslands was pretty cool. The second night we stayed at overmountain shelter. This shelter was an old barn and could probably sleep 30 people - which is nice because it is one of the most popular shelters on the trail because of the amazing views it affords of the valley below. The next day we hiked up to the humps. Big hump was our favorite part of this section - an extremely large open grassland with views of the beautiful surrounding north carolina mountains. Luckily the weather cleared up really nicley for us as we made the trek across the open summits. From there it was a long downhill hike to the gap below where mom and dad had parked the car. A really great July 4th weekend.

The Open Peak of Roan Mountain - not many ruins to see, but great views of the surrounding mountains.

The top of Roan High Knob - some of the most beautiful forests that we saw during the entire trip. Nestled in these trees was the cabin and an extremely cold water spring.