Heading up Rt 441 (Newfound Gap Road), I was searching for the two car pulloff near the start of this offtrail adventure. Suddenly, we spotted a large group of colorful hikers working their way up a drainage. Eventually, I settled on a nearby pulloff and we began our hike. There is no trailhead and no official trail. I knew to look for an old section of road which got bypassed when the park improved Rt 441. Once on the old road, there is a faint and unmaintained trail. The trail heads up the drainage created by Road Turn Branch. It is here we ran into Bill Little, a senior hiker who decided the creek crossing was too precarious for him. He didn't seem the least bit concerned to have been left behind by his group.
Once we made the creek crossing, we came upon the cave pictured above. It is more substantial that it looks. The rock wall in front may have been larger at one time. This cave is called "Moonshine Cave". It sounded like there was running water within it but it may have been an echo from a nearby creek.
The November 2016 Chimney Tops 2 fire impacted the area nearby. We saw some fire damage in our vicinity but nothing like the nearby mountains. Chimney Tops (not pictured here) was visible and quite noticeably barren.
I assume Courthouse Rock gets its name because it is as large as a courthouse. It does appear to be quite large as you approach it. I'm told it is the largest free standing rock in the park. However, it is quite skinny as you can see in the photo second below.
We finally caught up with the group we spotted climbing the drainage. The same group that left Bill Little behind. After a short conversation, I learn they are the Thursday Hikers from Knoxville. I ask if Gary Anderson is among them. And yes, he is standing just a few feet away. I first met Gary while hiking off trail in White Oak Sinks in the rain. We both were carrying umbrellas during this chance encounter. I learned he was from my hometown and now lived in Knoxville. We corresponded for years but lost touch until today. While getting reacquainted, one of their group came by and offered some candy from a small duffel bag. He introduced himself and let us know he was 90 years old.
GA BARBER 1827
Its really is this skinny
Next stop is Road Turn Falls. Along the way, we ran into Bob and Tom, a couple former telephone guys. I had seen them getting out of their truck back when we started our hike.
After we had our fill of the waterfall and the frozen icicles nearby, we retraced our steps back to our vehicle. On the way, we ran into Bill Little again. He was back at the creek crossing and suggested we look for his truck back on Rt 441. There were drinks and treats there and we should help ourselves.
As we made our final turn to move away from the creek, I realized the old road made a very pronounced horseshoe turn with the creek bisecting the horseshoe. It dawned on me that this is how Road Turn Branch acquired its name.
No comments:
Post a Comment