I admit it: hiking is an addiction, so we just came back from another weekend trip in Virginia. The first day took us to Prince William National Forest Park, where we walked a short 7 mile tour through ancient and beautiful forests on quite good trails. Then we drove further south, camped in George Washington National Forest and experienced first fall temperatures. To be honest, it was damn cold in the morning, but hot coffee got us going.
The goal for today was St. Mary's wilderness, which is a protected wilderness area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our hiking guide says there are two kind of hikers: those who were in St. Mary's Wilderness and those who soon will be there. So you see: we had to go there.
There are a few access points, we took the trail head from the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 23 (we passed it three times before we found the trail head). The most of the time unmarked trail (I saw two or three marker... that doesn't count in my opinion) leads first along a river with many cascades downstream and then climbs up again to an elevation of almost 3300 ft. At the bottom of the trail is a very green valley with old trees and river beds which have to be crossed. Well... you see... hiking near Baltimore is not alpine, but it can be quite nice though. Maybe we should try the Appalachian Trail next.
Prince William National Forest
At the 'High Meadows Trail' we found some antlers. (Don't ask why Bernhard is carrying a leaf.)
Blue Ridge Mountains, as seen from the trail head of St. Mary's Wilderness.
Never without tripod!
Autumn cascades in St. Mary's Wilderness.
At higher elevations, autumn colors are just about to come out.
We hiked the 7++ hour hike (marked as strenous) within 4 hours. This was what Bernhard usually saw from me (I was somehow motivated... or was it due to the new and good tasting cereal bar I've discovered recently?)
Strange trees (difficult to pass with a tripod on the back).
The trail.
On an old but still accessible jeep track we found this thing.
Broken glass.
The goal for today was St. Mary's wilderness, which is a protected wilderness area in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Our hiking guide says there are two kind of hikers: those who were in St. Mary's Wilderness and those who soon will be there. So you see: we had to go there.
There are a few access points, we took the trail head from the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 23 (we passed it three times before we found the trail head). The most of the time unmarked trail (I saw two or three marker... that doesn't count in my opinion) leads first along a river with many cascades downstream and then climbs up again to an elevation of almost 3300 ft. At the bottom of the trail is a very green valley with old trees and river beds which have to be crossed. Well... you see... hiking near Baltimore is not alpine, but it can be quite nice though. Maybe we should try the Appalachian Trail next.
Prince William National Forest
At the 'High Meadows Trail' we found some antlers. (Don't ask why Bernhard is carrying a leaf.)
Blue Ridge Mountains, as seen from the trail head of St. Mary's Wilderness.
Never without tripod!
Autumn cascades in St. Mary's Wilderness.
At higher elevations, autumn colors are just about to come out.
We hiked the 7++ hour hike (marked as strenous) within 4 hours. This was what Bernhard usually saw from me (I was somehow motivated... or was it due to the new and good tasting cereal bar I've discovered recently?)
Strange trees (difficult to pass with a tripod on the back).
The trail.
On an old but still accessible jeep track we found this thing.
Broken glass.
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