Sky Meadows

We awoke to the threat of snow....and were giddy!  Hiking in the snow??  Hell yeah baby!  We were excited to say the least.  We had already decided to hit a Sky Meadow Trail the night before. We opted for the North Ridge, South Ridge, Gap Trail loop.  It's about 3.5 miles, but COULD be be about 4.5 with an offshoot out and back off the North Ridge Trail that takes you to the AT.

We have our morning coffee, shower, pack up, feed the dog, feed ourselves and hit the road.  There wasn't a drop of rain or snow when we headed west on 66.  However, the farther west we drove, the more precipitation we saw.  I was excited...like a fat kid with their own cake.  Now I'll see if we really can do this 4 season...

We arrive at the entrance only to find a note on the door.  Um...no one's home.  Please put your entrance fee in this envelope.  We will trust you.  Ooooookay.  At this point, there is some small amount of accumulation that we can see on the roads and trees.  I love snow!!

Stupidly, we forgot a map....and didn't have good cell service to pick up a map on one of the MANY aps on our phones.  At some point, I will bite the bullet and subscribe to one so we can download maps to our phones, but right now, it's not been an absolute necessity.  We drive to the visitor's center.  Yup, nobody home there either!  Great!  Now what?  The kiosk isn't printing maps.  WTF does the trail start?  We really should be more prepared on these day hikes.  Seriously.  We could do something completely stupid and get totally lost or something.  It has been known to happen... hasn't it?

Luckily, a ranger drives up in the truck and we ask where the trial head is.  He was nice enough to point out the large sign across the way.  There's only 2 parking lots and everything pretty much starts and ends here.  Good to know!  Also, he shared a word to the wise about fog.  We need to be careful, because if the fog rolls in we won't be able to see that far ahead of us.  Good to know!  Thanks!  :)

We cross the street and head down the gravel road that pretty much leads to all trails.  The Gap trail is farther down the road, but we opted to start with the North Ridge Trail, and turn right up the stairs.  At this point, there's about 1/2 an inch to an inch of snow on the ground now?  It's pretty frozen, too.  I think there was some snow earlier in the week and it has simply refrozen.  These suspicions will be confirmed later on in the hike.

The North Ridge starts out with a decent incline.  It was a nice warm up.  I honestly swear at some point I will not heave like a chain smoker walking up a flight of stairs.  Seriously...it's getting annoying.  It's like my lung capacity is MUCH shallower than most.  It didn't used to be that way!  I need to start singing again to get it back maybe?  In any event, on we trek!

We start out hiking through a bit of field on the edge of woods.  It's a nice little scenic trail that winds into the trees about halfway or less?  I'm not measuring miles or anything...  But it does start some decent inclines not that far along the trail.  At this point, I can really see that there was snow at some point earlier in the week that has refrozen.  Some parts of the trail were slick because of this refreezing of snow.  I'm thinking, "This might be easier with some Yak Trax or something like that.  I'd have better grip and not wear myself out having to push harder to make it up the hill due to crap traction."

There are bits and pieces of old stone walls such as this one along the trail.  As you can see, the snow  was coming down at a pretty decent rate and there was a nice dusting over everything.  It was really peaceful and quite for the most part.  We didn't encounter many if any on the trail.  I love hiking both with groups for fun, and then in pretty much solitude for just the two of us.  This was the later of the two, that's for sure!

We climb, up and up and up.  I'm not sure how much of an elevation gain we did on this trek.  I think it was around 800 ft?  I'm too lazy to check right now.  It was a rather nice climb up a small-ish summit.  I noticed some tracks in the snow that were not human....or human friend.  I think they were bunny tracks.  They looked neat in the snow.  The bunnies were pretty active on this part of the trail, too.  There were several bunny prints on the trails.  I didn't take a picture though.  I should have.  Would have made for a neat picture.

We climbed the North Ridge trail up the mountain, crossed a stream a few times, and came to the intersection of the South Ridge Trail.  The North Ridge continues for .5 mile to the AT.  If you chose to take this .5 mile out and back, it makes for what most call the 4.5 mile loop.  However, it's actually 3.5 miles if you follow it as an actual loop without any jutting off of the loop.  There are several strategic benches along the trail.  I leaned against the one at this intersection to take some pressure off my feet.  They were okay, but starting to irritate me a bit.  :(

We opted to turn left and continue on the loop and not do the out and back part.  The South Ridge part of the loop was a bit rough.  There were some downed trees to maneuver under or over.  They hadn't cleaned much of that trail up from I'm guessing all the summer storms we had.  I didn't mind it so much.  It wasn't unbearable, but did make us feel like this was a pretty secluded trail that's not used much.  I really like those trails...the ones that aren't well used and are rather rustic.  I'd really like to be part of the starting a trail or helping a baby trail to grow.  lol

At this point, I couldn't tell if the snow had stopped, or if we were just in the woods and the trees were catching the snow.  There was about a decent inch at this point, I think.  It made for some pretty fun hiking.  As you can see, there's not many tracks in the snow at this point.  A little further along the South Ridge trail, we noticed some running tracks, I think?  of two people?  At least that's what it looked like to me.  Or make the same person twice?  *shrugs*  Then closer to the visitor's center, there were more human tracks and some human friend tracks now.  

It wasn't too cold.  I wasn't cold at all.  I had layered enough to keep myself dry and warm.  S had to strip a layer, I think at some point.  I probably should have, too, but I wasn't sure I'd be warm enough in just a base layer with my shell on top.  After our car camping debacle, I'm always afraid of getting too cold.  I probably wear a few more layers than needed, but until I get some more good gear and possible some mid layers, I will probably keep the base layer and the fleece jacket, which I LOVE!  It's so nice and warm!  And does the perfect job of wicking away my sweat perspiration.

The South Ridge trail leads you back down the mountain.  The decent isn't too steep, with but with the slick layer of ice under the snow, I had to be careful not to slip and fall on my arse.  It almost happened a few times.  Eventually, the snow stopped and more tracks appears in the snow.  We knew we were nearing the end of our little hike.  I didn't want to push it on our first snow outing.  I think the Yak Trax or some other ice traction over the show thingy would be best if we were to continue to hike in these conditions.  He has some that I got him for his birthday, but he didn't' put them on that day.

And, as the ranger stated, when the fog rolled in, we couldn't see very far in front of us.  Somewhere in that fog is a small valley with the Visitor's center, park office and a house or two.  They are invisible in this shot.  I wish I had taken one when we first started out so you could compare the two.  *shrugs*  20/20 hindsight.

At the bottom of the trail, there are the remnants of a homestead.  I can't seem to find the name of the ruins, but they're there.  Some stone chimneys and walls are all that remain from these homes of days gone by.  It was a nice settlement they had at the base of the mountain.  There was a nice stream for fresh water and good protection from wind.  Anyway, it's always neat to see things like that.

And with that, we caught up to the Gap trail and headed back to the visitor's center, the car, and then to REI!  LOL  Now, when we got back to the truck, I wasn't cold, but knew my jacket was wet.  When I got in the truck, I was fine, but at some point, the jacket started making me cold and I had to take it off to allow it to dry.  You really do have to watch and make sure your clothes do not stay wet or you don't keep wet clothes on when you're in the cold.  It really could do a number on you quickly.  I quickly took it off, and laid it over my legs, near the car heater to dry off on the way to REI.  Worked like charm!

Oh!  I'll leave you with this impromptu still life...my poles in the snow.

Stone Mountain Loop Trail

Stone Mountain Trails

Again with the crack of dawn.  It wasn't too bad as the closest place to get breakfast was 12 miles away, I think.  It apparently was the most hopping place in town for a Sunday morning.  Seems as there were several locals there.

We arrived at the park shortly after 8am.  We loaded up our gear, put on our hats and gloves, and then headed up the trail.  It started out easy, but they all do!  *snort*  We saw some deer as we entered the trail.  A short distance in, then there was a fork; falls to the left, summit to the right.  We headed right.  Either way, as we found out, stairs were inevitable.

About 1.7 puts you at the top of the summit.  Oh man is it gorgeous!!  There are about 3 scenic overlooks; all of them gorgeous.  I was amazed most by the erosion lines on the rock.  They were amazing!  Years!  They took years to make!!  S was in awe of the whole view.

We climbed down stairs, thinking those were the only ones.  Man we were WRONG!  The knees really didn't like going down all those stairs, but I trudged on anyway.  We trekked through woods, up and down hills and stairs until we came to the Homestead, which was literally at the base of the mountain.

It's amazing to think of a family living there at the base of the mountain.  There were several buildings for the little homestead.  The cabin looked small, but we couldn't see it from the inside.  There were two chimneys, so I'm sure it could have been nice and toasty on the inside.  Definitely a simple, but difficult life.

We are lunch and ran across the couples with dogs we chatted with at the summit.  Very nice people.  One gave us some tips on things to do while we are here.  The breeze picked up so we finished eating and headed on up the trail.

My left foot started to ac t up soon after.  I really do need to have that looked at.  My right foot was fine all day, but not the left.  So, now the frequent pauses begin.  *sigh*

The next stop was the decide whether to see the lower and middle falls.  It was a mile one way.  Meaning it would add 2 miles to our trek. Yeah, sure!  Only 2 miles, you say?  *snort*  There were a couple of decent downhill slopes and I'm thinking, "We're gonna have to climb those on the way back."

There was another fork dividing the lower falls with the middle falls.  On the map we had, they looked to be on the same path.  Well, they're not.  We headed for the lower falls.  Not quite sure we got to them, but saw a nice small falls and decided to head back.  The knees, hip and left foot were really bugging me by this time.

We stopped to photograph a few nice little white water sections of the stream.  It is always amazing how water can find the smallest crevice to run through and erode into a stream.  At times, you can only hear the water because it's running under a rock or a tree.

Stairs...there were several leading up to the falls.  These were apparently appetizer to the all you can eat buffet of stairs later.  S, "These aren't really falls.  It's just water running down a rock."  Me, "Well, the water IS falling down the rock."  They were pretty.  The striations in the rock were neat.  it was also neat how the falls appeared to be divided into two.  Not to mention the giant boulders at the bottom of the falls.  Those were impressive, too.

Now...the stairs.  Let's just say there are a shit-ton of the for me or anyone NOT in perfect shape to climb.  S said it was like climbing to the top of the Empire State Building.  There are roughly 300 stairs to the top of the falls.  With that being said, you're screwed either way.  Stairs down at the beginning either way and stairs to climb at the end either way.

About 2/3 the way up, there's a walk way taking you to an up-close view of the top of the falls.  This was interesting.  What you don't see from the bottom is the little side stream that joins the main stream.  This is the reason they don't want you to hop over the railing.  Again, the erosion of water just creating a path to run.  It's just amazing.

*sigh*  Now to climb the rest of the stairs.  I have no choice.  I.MUST.KEEP.GOING!!  Oh, did I mention the rhododendrons?  I don't think I did.  They are MASSIVE!  At one point, when we descended, it was just a forest of rhododendrons.  They formed an archway over the trail.  It was just gorgeous!  They were HUGE, too!  I don't think I've seen such large rhododendron leaves before...just gorgeous!

Back to the stairs.  I just kept telling myself that I have no choice.  I had to kept climbing and it was mind over matter.  There was no bailing.  No saying, "I just can't make it!"  There wasn't anyone to carry me the rest of the way.  I just HAD to do it!  Bottom line!  And I did!!  The feeling of accomplishment and spaghetti legs was prominent at the top of hell.  I DID IT!

I learned:
- That small nibbles really do give you boosts.  I really could feel them on this hike.
- My LEFT FOOT SUCKS!  I really do need to see professional help on that and probably my knees.
- Trekking poles ROCK!!  I honestly don't think I could have done this without them.  They also add a level of cardio than just pumping your arms.
- That I can climb a crapton of stairs.  *snort*
- I have eagle eyes!!  I spotted this on our hike.  Know what it is?  I bet you don't unless you've seen it before.  Ice!  It's ice that has formed from some water coming out the the ground at the base of a tree.  I noticed and had to snap this photograph.

 

Prince William Forest Park

Lessons learned in cold weather car camping...and other transcriptions from the Hiking Heffer's Hiking Journal.

S wanted to get back into hiking and camping and doing outdoorsy type stuff.  We'd gone on a couple of hikes on our own, but I had the brilliant idea of joining a hiking group (or 10).  We joined one that was doing a hike with a car camp...and it wasn't far from us!  HORAY!  Except, we had to drive south on 95...during rush hour...on a Friday.  *sigh*  Prince William Forest Park here we come!

Yes, traffic was hideous.  Of course it always is on 95 south.  It really should have only taken us about 45 minutes to get there, but well....

We arrived about an hour before dark and furiously worked to set up the tent for the night.  We haven't set it up in over a year so it took us a little while longer than anticipated to set it up.  We set up the Ritz of tents.  It's  a 6 person but is perfect for the two of us and the air mattress.  More on that later...

K1, one of the event planners, came to introduce herself and invited us over to their campfire, which was nice since we didn't have any wood to start one on our own.  H also stopped by an introduced herself.  Everyone was SO nice!  I was doing a *happy dance* in my head. 

Once the tent was finally finished, we wandered over to the "party" to meet some other members of the group.  First impressions are always fun:

K1 (event planner #1) - a bit on the quirky side, but very nice!
K2 (event planner #2) - quiet, but also very sweet
H - cute.  Very well traveled for what appears to be such a young age.  Smart kid too!
L - Hiliarious!  He had us all laughing pretty hard!

The fire was nice and tasty.  My feet were freezing!!  We practically had our feet in the fire, though, which is not a good thing.  L didn't light the best fire for night 1.  I was starting to doubt whether we'd survive the weekend.  My feet just WOULD NOT get warm. 

We excused ourselves to cook dinner.  We had jalapeno sausages and chips for dinner.  It didn't take long to cook or eat.  I was starving, but still freezing.  *sigh*  Then we rejoined the party for more laughs.  I was so tired and so cold.  I think it was around 9 that we hit the sack, or at least tried to.

Lesson 1 - Now I know what they mean when they say you need to keep dry to sleep warm.  My feet were freezing because they were moist.  I had worn my hiking shoes to work and...well...yes moisture did occur.  And it didn't occur to me to remedy this before it became too late.  I FROZE!

Lesson 2 - Air mattresses and cold weather camping DO NOT go together.  These are things a novice camper just doesn't think about...  Well, I DO NOW!  NO air mattresses for cold weather camping.

I shivered, I shook, I tossed, I turned.  You name it, I did it.  There was no sleep to be had for me, and well consequently for either of us.  I finally gave up after about an hour plus, crawled out of the blankets and sleeping bag, grabbed by bag, and put on not one but TWO pairs of socks.  Magick solution #1!  YES!  FINALLY!  *hears trumpets blaring*  SLEEP!  Which was short lived.

Around 5, the mattress (and my bladder) decided to wake me up.  The air in the mattress was too cold and was simply sucking the body heat out of me.  We both took a trip to the heated bathroom.  Can I just say...thank jebus for heated bathrooms!  *rewind*  A WHILE ago, we received new emergency packs at work and had to turn in the old ones.  I...let's just say...refrained from handing in certain items from the old pack.  A mylar blanket being one of them.  Well, before I left work, I tossed that puppy into my bag.  Boy am I glad I did!!  We opened that sucker up and put it on top of the mattress, but under the blanket that was on the mattress.  This reflected our own body heat  back to us and not allowing it to get sucked into the air core of the mattress.  YES!  Two more hours of sleep!!

We are coffee drinkers.  So, the first thing we did when we got up was put some water on to boil for some coffee.  Well, this drew a crowd.  The party was at our campsite that morning.  K1, H and L all stopped by for a chat, some cocoa, coffee, or mocha.  H brought over her Jetboil and made some oatmeal while we cooked up our breakfast scramble.  After we ate, we joined the rest of the group at K1s campsite where the rest of the members were congregating.

We piled into cars and headed over to the trail head.  Initially I was towards the front of the pack, which was a bit too fast paced for me.  I needed to head to the back.  However, it was like pulling teeth to get people to go in front of me when we stopped!  *sigh*  I am glad we had the trekking poles with us though.  That saved me more ways than one.  I lasted longer on my feet with those things, then if I didn't have them.  And it helped my knees on the descents.  This really was an up and down trail.

However, the trail wasn't all that scenic...  The fall color was pretty much gone.  This is pretty much what it looked like most of the time.  It does wind around the stream at points and that was pretty.  I didn't even see many fungi either.  Cause...I'm obessesed with photographing fungi.  You'll find out later. 





We stopped at a nice part by the stream and ate lunch.  Everyone was snacking on tuna and crackers.  We had kaiser bun sammies.  And I wonder why I'm still a heffer??  *snort*  So as you can see, there are SOME scenie parts of the trail, but...yeah, it was pretty brown most of the way.

The trailhead started at the Turkey Run Education Center.  and followed High Meadows Trail (A trail that begins on the ridgetop and descends to the South Fork of Quantico Creek, including a wide variety of habitats.  2.1 miles (3.4 km)).  Then we picked up the South Valley Trail ("The longest single trail found in the park, includes abundant beaver and other creekside wildlife habitat, with excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing.  9.7 miles (15.6 km)").  Then finally the home stretch on the Turkey Run Ridge Trail ("A moderately difficult trail between the Turkey Run Environmental Center and the South Fork of Quantico Creek.  1.4 miles (2.3 km)").

That last leg on the Turkey Run Ridge Trail was killer!!  My feet were kill me!  My knees were sore and my hip was really sore.  BUT, I trudged on like a trooper.  I was afraid to stop because I wasn't sure I would be able to get up again.  *snort*

Saturkey night camp cire was just as hilarious and fun as Friday night.  There were considerable more people to enjoy!  There was about 16 of us camping that night, but the campfire Satuday night could accomodate us all.  It was excellent!

There was a smorgasboard of food!  We brought our token marshmallows and hot cocoa.  There wasn't anyone starving, that's for sure!  We excused ourselves to cook our burgers.  I was FAMISHED!  Then went back for more fun.  I was toasty warm and tired.  Everyone kept thinking I was asleep, but I wasn't.  I was just enjoying the fire, the company, and the occasionaly haldful of chocolate covered toffee.

Sleeping was MUCH easier!!  K1 brought some extra sleepign bags and S used one Saturday night.  I bundled up in 1 pairs of socks, three shirts, and two pants in our sleeping bag.  I was toasty for a long time, but then some cold air snick in in the wee hours and I had to shift lower into the sleeping bag.  Problem solved.

Strangely enough, I slept past 7!  GO FIGURE!  I honestly thought I was programmed to wake up with the sun.  Who knew?  We packed up and said our goodbyes.  We headed home to pick up Missy...then do 7 loads of laundry. 

So, what did I learn?
Lower temperature sleeping bags are essential, but expensive.  :(
Air matresses SUCK the body heat out of you.  DO NOT use in cold weather.
It's okay to wear many layers to bed when it's cold...and yes I WILL sleep in them.
Rubber shoes will melt when close to the fire.
A teepee shape is a MUST for building a good campefire
Jumbo marshmallows are not better for smores.
You can dehydrate beef stroganoff....