July 17 Rich Mountain Hike

Today's 7 mile hike in Moses Cone Park is along the park's carriage roads. For most of the walk, we were in active pasture and got to meet some of the residents up close. These guys didn't seem to mind us much, but were curious nevertheless.

 The Cone manor house is not along the hike, but nearby. We stopped here before and after to use the restrooms. The home was built 110 years ago and appears to be in great condition. Certainly the view back then did not include the row of condo buildings now so prominent.

We saw many late blooming wildflowers today including bee balm, mountain mint, fire pink, bellwort, jewelweed and of course lots of rosebay rhododendron. 

July 6 Backbone Rock to Damascus

Backbone Rock, just outside Damascus is an odd geological formation. The rock above is just 15 feet wide but rises more than 100 feet in elevation. The cut or tunnel was originally cut by a railroad. Don't walk out here with these fellows if you fear heights.

We passed this beautiful chicken of the woods fungus along the trail. When this fungus is just a bit younger you can boil it for about 15 minutes and eat it. Once it gets this size, it has just enough woody fiber in it to spoil the taste.

Lunch was at the junction of Backbone Trail and the AT. It was humid climb up - reminds me a bit of Doughton Park's Primitive Trail. The walk into Damascus was the same one I hiked yesterday. We saw the same flowers and views.

July 5 AT- McQueen Gap to Damascus

This 11.5 mile hike is all on the AT. It is the route countless thru hikers approach Damascus on. Damascus is one of the most celebrated Trail Towns on the AT and is a great re-supply place. The AT goes through town on its main street, Laurel Ave.

The only views we had today were a few glimpses of Damascus as we approached town. Otherwise it was a almost all day downhill along a ridge. This may have been the easiest 11 miles I have ever hiked. We saw lots of Black Cohosh (below) and Mountain Mint or Basil Balm.

July 4 Damascus to Green Cove and Back

Today's ride was intended to be from Damascus to White Top and back. As I rode the route up I needed to pay special attention to the inexperienced riders heading down. Folks heading down the route aren't always looking out for riders coming up and that is when accidents happen.

Things were working out well. I was riding at a good pace, not stopping much on the ride up. Then I began to hear thunder. It appeared to be closing in. I gathered my wits and rode hard to Green Cove. While at Green Cove, the bottom fell out. I was inside the visitor center at this point taking my time reading the historical data housed there. When the rain let up, I decided to not ride the final 3 miles to White Top. Turning around, I headed down.

It appeared to be good move. I rode several miles and then the rain came. It wasn't a hard rain, but enough to get me soaked. As things cleared up, I cleaned my bicycle and continued on. At about 4 miles from Damascus I stopped to help a fellow with a flat. We got him going. Just about a mile from there I blew a tire. Rather than change the tire, I thought I'd walk into Damascus and change it later. The tube I had was larger than the tire and it would have sufficed for a short distance but I'd be changing it again later anyway. That proved to be a mistake.

Upon entering Damascus, the thunderstorm bore down and really caused havoc. Debris fell in the streets. Parking lots and roads flooded. I sought refuge at an ice cream stand. Winds blew in several directions. The parking lot my bike was parked in flooded. Finally I limped to my car and headed to Abingdon. About halfway I noted dry pavement.

July 3 NC line to Damascus

Today I got a shuttle up to White Top. In stead of riding down immediately, I rode in the opposite direction to the NC state line. The trail is a bit rougher and wet in a couple areas. At the state line the trail continues on private land. 

The first stop for almost everyone on the Virginia Creeper Trail is Green Cove Visitor Center. It looked crowded today so I only stopped briefly before heading on. The trail to this point is in exceptional condition, but from here to Damascus, the trail tends to have random gravel in it making for a bumpy ride. 

There were tons of folks out on the trail today. Many walking, but most on bicycles. I don't think I was ever out of sight of rhododendron on this ride.

The 19 mile ride took a bit over 2 hours. 

July 2 Guest River Gorge Trail

This 12 mile ride in western Virginia is one of my favorites. It doesn't get a lot of use. I was the only one on the trail for the first 10 miles. Just after beginning, you travel through Swede tunnel and then over this creek above.

Lots of rhododendron today. I also saw some bee balm another very pretty flower.

At the turn around spot, I stood on the bridge looking at river for quite some time before heading back. Riding back, you realize you are riding uphill.

This pretty little waterfall disappears into a culvert under the trail.