View from Hogback Mountain

Seeing Mountain Laurel

I was a little late getting out to see mountain laurel this year, but mountain laurel was still blooming nicely on June 18, 2011 at higher elevations. We set out to the highest point in the northern district of Shenandoah National Park, Hogback Mountain.

Getting There: Directions

Traveling south, we parked at a parking lot on the right side of Skyline Drive just past Mile Post 21. Heading back north, the Appalachian Trail crossed to the east side of Skyline Drive through some nice ferns before recrossing to the west side Skyline Drive. Just past a gate, there were a lot of columbine blooming where the AT turns off to the right. It’s a relatively short, not very steep climb, up Hogback Mountain. A hang glider take off point nearby provides some nice views to the west. The scenery and ease of hiking Hogback Mountain makes it a good choice for travelers that want to do some hiking, but do not have a lot of time.

Wildflower Viewing

In addition to the mountain laurel and American columbine, we also saw fly poison and beard tongue.

Nearby Lunch

Just three miles farther south along Skyline Drive, Elkwallow Wayside is a nice place to have a picnic lunch. There is no indoor seating, but sandwiches, sides, and drinks are available for purchase in the convenience store and there are picnic tables outside near the gas station.

Thanks to the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail Shop for sending me a comment that the Virginia Creeper Trail is reopen after a tornado destroyed a scenic, long trestle along the trail. Although the trestle has not been rebuilt, a gravel path has been created so hikers and cyclists can enjoy the entire length of the trail.

Having ridden the trail twice, the Virginia Creeper is my favorite rail trail in the entire U.S. For a challenge, you can ride both ways or take it easy and utilize bike shop shuttles to the top at White Top and ride down to Abingdon.

After a lunch at Sperryville, Virginia’s Thornton River Grille and wine tasting at Sharp Rock Vineyards (both highly recommended), we recently went hiking along Cedar Run to the lower falls. The falls aren’t as spectacular as the bigger ones on White Oak Canyon, but it was a beautiful short hike.

Cedar Run

Lower Cedar Run Falls

See Also: Hiking Cedar Run and Whiteoak Canyon

The severe weather outbreak of April 28th destroyed trestles on the Virginia Creeper Trail in Washington County, Virginia. The Virginia Creeper Trail is my favorite scenic rail-trail, a former Norfolk & Western rail line converted into a biker/hiker trail that passes through scenic farm land and mountains.

Trail Closure Message:

Damage to trestle #8 and the destruction of trestle #7 due to the storm has prompted the closure of the trail between Abingdon and Alvarado…

Photos: Virginia Creeper Trail Tornado Damage

It is National Park Week now, running through April 24, 2011. If you do not already have an annual pass to Shenandoah National Park, it’s a great time to visit now with the redbuds blooming and temporary free admission.

Black Bear in Shenandoah National Park

Of course, if you’re in east Tennessee or Western North Carolina, you can visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for free 365 days a year…

Skyline Drive and all trails are reopened. Here’s a final update provided by Sarah Robarge of WHSV TV3 covering the Warren Country wildfire:

The recent rain was good news for forestry officials fighting a wildfire in Shenandoah National Park, and after eight days, it’s 100-percent contained.

This was the biggest fire there in almost a century, burning nearly 1,800 acres.

Officials are using it to educate homeowners…

The full article contains some good information on Virginia’s Firewise program.

See Also: Shenandoah National Park Wildfire Photo