Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 17, 1993 TAG: 9305170278
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
LOCATION: Ascend from parking area in Reeds Gap on Virginia 664 at Parkway Mile 13.7 south of Waynesboro and follow Appalachian Trail southward.
LENGTH: 44.8 miles, one way.
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous.
This is a long and rugged stretch of the Appalachian Trail that can take as many as four days, but can be shortened by using several road crossings as jumping-off spots.
"The trail goes over some of the best parts of the AT in Virginia," said Leonard Adkins, author of "Walking the Blue Ridge".
There are magnificent views from sections that never drop below the 3,200-foot mark. Then there is the roller-coaster route where you plummet 3,000 feet from Three Ridges down to the Tye River, then climb back even higher, to the peak of 4,063-foot The Priest.
Rhododendron and hemlocks form a canopy, shading streams that hold colorful native trout. There is the contrast of remote slivers of virgin forest and cattle-dotted grazing land. Isolated campsites are abundant, including six shelters. Wild flowers carpet the forest floor.
\ 2. OTTER CREEK
LOCATION: At Otter Creek Campground, Mile 60.8, 25 miles north of Peaks of Otter.
LENGTH: 3.4 miles, one way.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate.
The trail begins at the campground and winds along Otter Creek down to the James River. Except for one steep section, its path is gradual.
"I kinda call it a family hiking trail," said Adkins.
Spring offers opportunities for viewing wild flowers. Youngsters will want to cool their feet in the creek during the summertime and there are flat rocks for sunbathing. The colors of the mixed hardwoods reflect brilliantly on the surface of Otter Lake every autumn. Icicles sparkle in the winter sun.
"If you want to get rid of the kids for a while, you can put them on the trail, then trace their progress by following them on the parkway, observing them from several overlooks, and meeting them at a prearranged spot."
The trail ends at the James River Visitor Center, the lowest point on the parkway.
\ 3. CHESTNUT RIDGE
LOCATION: Leave parkway at Mile 120.5 and follow Mill Mountain Spur toward Roanoke Mountain Campground for 1.1 miles to Chestnut Ridge Overlook. (From Roanoke, travel 0.2 mile past Roanoke Mountain Campground on Mill Mountain Spur.)
LENGTH: 5.3-mile loop.
DIFFICULTY: Moderate.
This is a close-in-to-Roanoke trail that can give you the feeling of being out in the wilds.
"It is a great place to go to take a couple hours' walk without having to drive miles from Roanoke. It is a real pleasant walk. There are no spectacular views, but the trail is very nicely graded with only a few ups and downs."
Because it is a loop, you can leave your car, cover all 5.3 miles and return to your car without retracing your steps. Traveling counterclockwise will put you into some of the more pleasant areas fast. If you get onto the trail early in the morning, you can avoid the crowds.
The pathway basically circles the Roanoke Mountain Campground and flows through mixed hardwoods with an understory of laurel and rhododendron. Don't be surprised to meet horseback riders because this is part of the Roanoke Valley Horse Trail.
\ 4. ROCK CASTLE GORGE
LOCATION: Mile 167.1 at Rocky Knob Recreation Area, south of Floyd.
LENGTH: 10.6-mile loop.
DIFFICULTY: Strenuous.
This is big country as far as the Blue Ridge Parkway is concerned, a 4,500-acre tract know as Rocky Knob Recreation Area. The trail was named a National Recreation Trail in 1984.
Cut by a cold-water stream, the gorge drops steeply from 3,572-foot Rocky Knob to 1,700-foot Rock Castle Creek, where it can be winter on top and spring in the valley.
"If I had to name my favorite parkway trail, this might be it. You start on the parkway and you go through nice, open meadows where there is gentle sloping land and a constant 360-degree view."
Then you drop into the gorge. Along the way are the faint imprints of some 70 families who once scratched out a living from the area.
This is one of only two places where there is backcountry camping on land that actually is owned by the parkway. That makes the hike an ideal over-nighter. Only an accomplished hiker should attempt to do it in a single day.
by CNB