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Blog
Posts on Hiking in Wintergreen Resort and Nelson County
Kim Chappell is a graduate from
the Realtor Institute and is an agent with Wintergreen
Resort Premier Properties, the official real estate
office of Wintergreen Resort. Kim also lists and sells
property in beautiful Nelson County. Contact Kim
Chappell at
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com or 434-238-2430. The
Free Daily Blog is posted on both
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com and
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com
For a free hiking map of the
Wintergreen Resort trails, stop by the Wintergreen
Resort Premier Properties office in the Mountain Inn.
Wintergreen Resort has 30+ miles of hiking trails that
are marked and maintained.
Get Ready to Hike the Trails
My husband is planning a Nelson
County hike on the Appalachian Trail this Fall. He will
hike from the Shenandoah National Park to Rt. 56 in
Tyro, VA. We enjoy hiking on the AT. This time it will
be to take photos and write stories about the trail in
Nelson County. We will be adding the log to both web
sites. In the next few months, I will be including
information about preparing for any hike, especially
hiking on the AT.
Future stories will be about
packing for overnight trips, the AT blazes and side
trails and the AT in Nelson County and Virginia. If you
have Nelson County Hiking reviews that you would like to
share, please send them to
kim@ExperienceNelsonCounty.com
One of the questions that I receive
often is about the contents of the “hiking day pack”
that I have mentioned a few times in my blog stories.
It is important to take a day pack with you on any
hike. One never knows what may happen, and you will be
thankful that you have supplies. Carry this pack even
if you think you will only be on the trails for a few
hours.
I have a Ridge Runner pack,
purchased as a day pack from LL Bean. It cost less than
$70. Here is a list of supplies that I carry for a
day hike. Even if you are only planning on being on
the trail for a few hours, plan to be on the trail for
an extra 12 hours. In later posts, I will be providing
lists for overnight and longer hikes. Our Nelson County
AT hike will cover a few days so we can enjoy the
scenery.
Map and Compass (even if I am
familiar with the trail)
Water, at least 1 quart
Extra Clothing: Even a sweatshirt
in the Summer and a hat
Food: Enough for an extra meal of
high-energy food
First-aid kit with blister
treatments (I purchased mine at Blue Ridge Outdoors in
Wintergreen)
Extra pair of socks
Whistle (Blue Ridge Outdoors)
Garbage bag to carry out trash
Flashlight with extra batteries
(even if you think you will only be hiking in the
daylight)
Emergency Tarp (Blue Ridge
Outdoors)
Sharp knife
Fire Starter (like a candle with
waterproof matches)
Toilet paper and small trowel to
cover
*During the hot summer, carry 2 or
3 quarts of water
I use an Avon product that is a
combination of sun screen and bug repellant.
I suggest that you carry the
whistle, even if you are just hiking or walking on some
of the easy Wintergreen or Stoney Creek trails. Three
blasts of the whistle is the signal for “help needed”.
Wildlife also will usually run from the sound of the
whistle.
Follow the Blazes
Both the Appalachian Trail and the
trails in Wintergreen Resort are marked with paint
“blazes”. Wintergreen Resort has over 30 miles of
marked trails for abilities from easy to difficult.
Trails are marked for daylight travel in both directions
with blazes. Blazes can be found on trees, posts, and
rocks.
The Appalachian Trail blazes are
white. They are six inches high and two inches wide.
Blazes in Wintergreen Resort vary in color depending on
the difficulty of the trail. Visit Wintergreen Resort
Premier Properties in the Mountain Inn for a free
Wintergreen Hiking Map. The map has trails marked by
ability. Most hikers learn the system of blazes very
quickly.
Appalachian Trail Blaze Tips:
While hiking on the Appalachian
Trail, side trails are light blue. Other intersecting
trails are other shapes or colors.
Two white blazes, one above the
other, signal an obscure turn, route change or incoming
side trail. Be especially alert when you see two
stacked blazes.
Rock stacks or cairns are used
above the treeline on the Appalachian Trail. They are
also used in areas where snow and fog may obscure
painted blazes. (usually not used in Nelson County)
Distance between blazes varies. In
some areas blazes are within sight. In areas managed as
wilderness, you may only see four or five blazes within
a mile. If you have gone a quarter mile without seeing
a blaze, stop. Retrace your steps and find the blaze.
Often, a look backwards will reveal
blazes mean for hikers traveling in the opposite
direction.
Carry your maps and understand how
to read them before leaving on your hike.
Geocaching in Wintergreen &
Nelson County:
First, what is it? It is a fun
combination of hiking and searching for mysteries and
treasure. It’s a “sport” for all ages, it is for
individuals or groups and it is fun and educational.
Participants use a hand-hand GPS receiver unit to guide
you to a destination, where a hidden container (or
“cache”) is stored. Sound interesting? Go to:
www.Geocaching.com
One thing that I want to mention is
please tread lightly on our nature. Leave nature
the way you found it while Geocaching. Replace the
cache in a responsible fashion. (more on this in later
posts)
Getting started: Create an
account on Geocaching.com for a free membership. The
zip code for Wintergreen is 22958. Check it out, there
are several caches in the area of Wintergreen Resort.
Friends and family are already having fun with this
sport in the resort. Decide which cache sounds
interesting to you and print-out the details. Don’t
forget to bring something to go into the cache once you
find the box. Bring something that reminds you of your
hometown and you don’t mind giving away.
Create a waypoint in your GPS unit
for the cache, using the latitude and longitude
coordinates from the cache’s webpage. (on the print-out
from above)
Use your GPS unit’s navigate
feature (or equivalent) to produce an arrow on the
screen pointing you to the waypoint you just created.
Using the arrow as a guide, make
you way towards the cache.
Once you find the cache, take note
of how it has been hidden. You will need to replace it
in an identical fashion.
Open the cache and browse the
trinkets within it. You should always trade something
of equal or greater value to keep the sport fair. You
don’t have to remove any items and you can help re-stock
a poorly filled cache by leaving your item and taking
nothing.
Find the logbook within the cache.
Make a new entry in the book noting the date, time, your
caching site username and a sentence about your journey
to this cache. Then, hide the cache box exactly like
you found it.
Return home and log back into the
caching web site. Log your visit on the web site.
Thing you will Need for
Geocaching:
1. A GPS Unit: Prices range from
$100-$150.00 but be sure to check out eBay.
2. A computer with Internet and a
printer
3. Cache items for trading (Check
out the Wintergreen Logo store in the Mountain Inn if
you forgot to bring some items from home) Favorite
cache items include commemorative pins, patches, crafts,
etc.
4. A pen or pencil to signing the
log book
5. Your day pack (tomorrow’s blog
will provide a list of day pack supplies)
Variations on Geocaching:
Multi-Caches: Send you to more
than one waypoint prior to you finding the final chache
location.
Microcaches: smaller containers,
uses a small log sheet.
Puzzle Caches: May require you to
solve a puzzle of some kind to obtain the coordinates
for the cache.
Virtual Caches: These have no
container at all, but require you to find some
information at the location or take a picture to prove
you found it.
Locationless Caches: These are
like a Scavenger Hunt and challenge you to find an
object or landmark that could be anywhere. These are
not listed on geocaching.com.
Moving Caches: These begin with
the original coordinates of a real location, but when
found are moved to another location.
Nelson County and Wintergreen
Geocaching
Here is just one of the Wintergreen
Cache clues:
Located in
Wintergreen Resort. Access is free. Maps of Resort
and trails are available at
Trillium House. Please be mindful of possible
wildlife encounters in and around cache areas,
especially during warm weather. Bears and snakes are
among Wintergreen's many residents!
Park at the Three Ridges Overlook and wear shoes with
good treads.
Original Contents:
Wintergreen Golf Ball
Tennis Ball
Baseball
Flashing Ball
Rubber Ball
5 Marbles
Monster Duel TB (Found in Howlin' Good Time at Bark Camp
Lake)
Log book, pen, pencil.
Begin your quest at the Three Ridges Access Trail.
Keep your eyes open and you will prevail.
Fire and Brimestone can be viewed another day,
Your Fortune lies down a gentler way.
Continue your journey to where the crossroads appear.
Take a moment to rest and the way will be clear.
Walk both sets of planks, the treasure is near.
Once the boards end, take the way of the deer.
The forest's hand points to the sky,
knot to lead you but to catch the eye!
For the full information, go to
www.geocache.com, sign up and search on zip come
22958
A Hike in Fortunes Cove and the Mountain Cove
Winery
The Fortunes Cove and Mountain Cover area is another
one of my favorite areas in Nelson County. My family
has roamed this area since the 1700s. Family members
were still farming apples in this area until the 1980s.
When heading over to Fortunes Cove and Mountain Cove
Winery, be sure to take your time on Mountain Cove Road
and enjoy the scenery of Nelson County apple trees. I
will be blogging about Nelson County orchards later this
year.
The Fortunes Cove Preserve has hiking
and biking trails across 755 acres that stretches along
the crest of Woods Mountain. The preserve is the home
to a wide variety of flora and wildlife. This preserve
is open daily from dawn until dusk.
There are 5.5 miles of hiking trails that take
hikers through a loop around the preserve. There is a
stream along the base of the trail that is filled with
blooming wildflowers during the summer months.
The 5.5-mile loop trail climbs steeply from the
parking area, gaining some 1,500 feet in
elevation before reaching its highest point. Hikers
should be in good physical condition and should allow
six hours to complete the entire loop. A gravel parking
area and kiosk with trail map are at the preserve
entrance; there are no restrooms
The Fortunes Cove Preserve is also home to many
birds. You will probably see pileated woodpeckers,
northern cardinals, Carolina wrens, warblers, tanagers,
American restarts and scarlet tangers.
Other wildlife that lives in the preserve includes
Black bear, bobcat, white-tailed deer, red fox, raccoon,
and box turtle.
After hiking in The Fortunes Cove Preserve, head next
door to the Mountain Cove Winery. The Mountain
Cove Winery is one of the oldest continuously operated
wineries in Virginia. Most of the vineyard was
re-planted in 1997 and the winery is in full modern
production. There is a sales and tasting room that
includes a selection of wine gift items. The vineyard
now includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Norton,
Chambourcin, Villard Blanc and Traminette.
Be sure to bring a picnic to the Mountain Cove
Winery. There is plenty of outdoor seating available in
their wine garden and beautiful views. Visiting this
winery is like visiting a traditional Nelson County
farm.
The Allen Creek Nature
Preserve.
The Allen Creek Nature Preserve is
located at the corner of Stoney Creek East and Towhee
Court in Stoney Creek at Wintergreen. (For a map of
Stoney Creek, stop by the Wintergreen Resort Premier
Properties office in the Mountain Inn) From the
entrance of Stoney Creek, turn left onto Monocan Drive
from Rt. 151 North. Turn right on Stoney Creek East.
Turn left on Towhee Ct and there is parking on the
left.
The nature walk is 0.7 miles, over
relatively flat terrain that is suitable for the entire
family and many ability levels. (you may bring your dog,
but please keep them on their leash) The trail is well
marked with blue blazes with well-maintained bridges and
boardwalks. The preserve was designed and created by
the Wintergreen Nature Foundation. The preserve is open
year-round, but makes for a perfect Spring walk in the
Rockfish Valley.
Much wildlife is known to be in the
area, and this also adds to the experience. The
presence of wildlife can be discovered by their tracks
in the mud by the stream or in the swamp. This quiet
area makes a perfect walk-through for bear, bobcat and
raccoon at night. As a matter of fact, once you leave
the parking lot and begin the hike, it is hard to
believe that this nature preserve is in the midst of the
Stoney Creek community. We heard many birds during our
walk. I suggest carrying a field guide.
The forest floor has awakened for
Spring. For April, there is a pink blooms from Virginia
Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) and a white violet.
The ferns are starting to show. By summer this area
will be covered by a full canopy of shade and will
provide a cool retreat for preserve visitors. There is
a picnic table next to Allen Creek that makes for a nice
stop.
As the season progresses towards
Summer, be sure to bring insect repellant.
Shamokin Springs Nature
Preserve
With Spring, I have received many
requests for information on hiking either in Wintergreen
Resort or near the resort. Over the coming weeks, I am
going to be posting on many hiking options.
First, go by The Wintergreen Nature
Foundation (www.TWNF.org)
and pick up a map/brochure about the Shamokin Springs
Nature Preserve. TWNF is located in Wintergreen Resort
on Wintergreen Drive. (Across the street from the
WinterGarden Spa and Fitness Center) It is also a good
idea to stop into the WTG Nature Foundation to learn
about the wildlife that you may encounter on this walk.
You will see many birds, deer and sometimes a black
bear.
The Shamokin Springs Nature
Preserve is a thirteen acre area in the heart of
Wintergreen Resort, on Wintergreen mountain. The
parking area for this preserve is on the corner of Blue
Ridge Drive and Shamokin Springs Trail. The trail is a
loop, and you will finish back at your car.
This is one of my favorite parts of
the resort because cool air settles into this low area
and it is a wetland habitat. In the summer, the colors
seem richer and the temperatures are cooler than
anyplace else in the resort. This is also the area
where I have seen the most wildlife in the resort. Be
sure to bring your camera, but also be sure to remain
wise when encountering any of our wildlife. (there is
also a brochure at the WTG Nature Foundation that is
educational about the wildlife in Wintergreen Resort.
In an April blog, I will be discussing our black bears
The area near bridge #2 is my
favorite in the walk. There is a water garden created
from the mountain stream. Many springs flow through the
Nature Preserve and this has created a network of
waterways. Near these waterways, you will see many
species of ferns, especially near bridge #11. It is
these waterways that also bring the wildlife to the
Nature Preserve. I was just in the Nature Preserve a
few days ago, and our wet Spring has the water flowing.
April is a great time to walk this trail with the whole
family.
Here are just a few of the
wildflowers, plants and trees that you can expect to see
in April. Spicebush, toothwort, common blue violet,
bloodroot, marsh violet, round-leaf yellow violet,
common serviceberry, trillium and early watercress.
Crabtree Falls
Special Note about Crabtree
Falls: You should not visit Crabtree Falls unless
you are committed to Staying On The Trail. Over
the years, we have had 24 hikers slip and fall to their
deaths, including a hiker last week. All of these
hikers had left the trail and were trying to climb on
the moss-covered rocks of the waterfall. The rocks are
covered with a black moss/algae that is extremely
slick. This is also not the place to consume alcoholic
beverages. The trails are well maintained and provide
some wonderful views and photo opportunities of the
falls. There is no need to leave these trails to risk
life.
That said, Crabtree Falls is one of
my favorite areas of Nelson County. It is also one of
the most photographed places in the county. It is
beautiful any season. If you are visiting
Central-Virginia, Crabtree Falls is a must-see.
Crabtree Falls is on Rt. 56 in
Nelson County. You can reach Rt. 56W from either Rt.
151 or the Blue Ridge Parkway. On the average,
twenty-two thousand visitors walk the Crabtree Falls
trail each year. There is paved parking available
($3). There are no vendors for snacks, water or any
beverages. I always suggest that you bring a day pack
with snacks and water.
Some consider Crabtree Falls to be
the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. It
is the highest waterfall in Virginia. The falls consist
of five waterfalls (and many smaller ones) on Crabtree
Creek. Within a half mile the creek drops over 1200
feet. The land is part of the George Washington
National Forest. The trail is well developed with
wooden stairs, gravel paths, and railed overlooks. A
few years ago, I was walking this trail a few times a
week, and I am only a moderate hiker.
The trail is 1.5 miles to the
highest waterfall overlook (3 miles round trip) or you
can go 3 miles to Crabtree Meadows (6 miles round
trip). The first observation deck is only 700 ft past
the parking lot and is the perfect place for photographs
if you do not want to climb the trial.
There are benches a long the way if
you need to take a break. Take your time and you will
be rewarded with some great views and mountain scenes.
Past the first overlook, the trail
becomes gravel. There are nine switch-backs on the way
up to the highest fall. At the top of the highest fall,
there is an observation deck with an amazing view of the
Blue Ridge Mountains.
Along the trail, you will see old
hemlock, yellow birch, striped maple and American elm.
As a side note, the Appalachian
Trail can be reached from a .5 mile side trail out of
Crabtree Meadows. Crabtree Meadows is an open area with
apple trees. It is a national forest primitive campsite
with water.
When visiting Crabtree Falls,
remember your camera….
Paul’s Creek Trail and Water
Slide
Yesterday was the perfect afternoon
to head to Paul’s Creek for some cooler temperatures.
This hike is a family favorite for those visiting Nelson
County and Wintergreen Resort.
The Paul’s Creek Trail is located
from Stoney Creek at Wintergreen Resort. Enter Stoney
Creek at Monocan Drive and go to the end of the road,
take a left on Rodes Valley Drive, left on Crawfords
Climb and right on Paul’s Creek cul-de-sac. Park your
car in the cul-de-sac.
Even though this trail is only 1
mile round-trip, be sure to go prepared. This trail is
marked blue for moderate so wear sturdy walking shoes.
Also, like with all hikes, tell someone where you are
going and when to expect your return. I did notice that
my Alltel cell phone did work on this trail.
Some special notes for this trail
include the notice to bring or wear bug spray. We went
on this hike late in the afternoon, and there were lots
of bugs. Also, we noticed some areas of the trail that
have washed during recent storms. Watch your step.
The sun dips behind the mountains
early in this area and we noticed a decrease in sunlight
by 5:30PM. The temperatures were considerably cooler
along the hike. Watch for wildlife coming to Paul’s
Creek in the late afternoon and early evening.
Yesterday, we were the only hikers on the trail and
enjoyed the sounds of nature including the babbling
creek
Be sure to bring your camera on
this hike as the creek and waterfall scenes are
beautiful. About half-way into the walk to the water
slide, you will begin hiking next to Paul’s Creek. At
one point, you will cross the creek on stones for
steps. At the end of the hike is a series of cascading
waterfalls and even a swimming hole. Bill reports that
the water is still “very cold”—I didn’t get in
yesterday. This is a place to retreat the Summer heat
and even bring a picnic. There are several large rocks
to sit on for lunch.
The surfaces of the rocks have been
smoothed by rushing water over thousands of years. This
has created a natural “water slide”. Check out the
photos. Add the Paul’s Creek Trail to your list of
things to do in Nelson County and bring your camera.
A Novice Nelson County Hike
I have been receiving many
questions and requests for information about novice or
beginner hikes in Nelson County. For information about
hiking in Nelson County, also check out my Blog
Archive at
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com In the Blog Archive
is information about creating a day pack. Everyone
should carry a day pack on any hike—even if you think
you will only be on the trail for a few hours.
One of the best ways to get started
with hiking in Nelson County is to visit The Wintergreen
Nature Foundation. The foundation is located on
Wintergreen Drive on Wintergreen mountain. Visit on
line at
www.TWNF.org. They sponsor Saturday and Sunday
guided hikes for a minimal fee. The hikes are
educational and some feel more comfortable with a guide
along the mountain trails. The hikes leave from the
Nature Foundation in the morning. I have received many
rave reviews about these guided nature hikes. It is a
great way to introduce your family to both hiking and
the nature of Nelson County. (You do not need to be a
resident of Wintergreen Resort or even a guest of the
resort to attend the guided hikes)
Wintergreen Resort also has marked
hiking trails for all ability levels. There are several
“easy” hikes on both Wintergreen mountain and in Stoney
Creek. One of my favorite is in the Shamokin Nature
Preserve on Wintergreen mountain.
New Gear for Hiking
I have received many questions
about hiking from novice hikers about hiking in the
region. One of the popular requests is for a re-print
on the story covering what to pack in your day pack for
hiking. I will re-post the list shortly, but the first
list published this Spring can be found on my Blog
Archive in the Hiking library. I will be posting an
update to that list in the next few weeks.
Many questions are about safety and
emergency response.
Last month, we had a close-call in
our family. My Dad had a serious heart attack that
started while he was fishing back in the mountains of
Amherst County. After this close call, I did some
research and found Spot. Check out Spot’s
official web site at
www.findmespot.com.
Spot is a GPS handheld that is
solely for 9-1-1 situations. Or long-distance hikers
can use Spot to check-in with family and friends during
their trek. It is not a device to use for usual GPS
mapping as it doesn’t have a screen. The device is
satellite based and works in areas where cell phone
service is not available. (map on their web site) Once
you hit the “panic button” a message is sent to acquire
assistance.
From their web site:
ALERT 9-1-1: Use
this function In the event of a life threatening or
other critical emergency to notify emergency services of
your exact location and that you need assistance. The
GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the
appropriate agencies worldwide – for example contacting
9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders
in Europe.
How It Works:
Once activated, SPOT will acquire its exact
coordinates from the GPS network, and send that location
along with a distress message to a GEOS International
Emergency Response Center every five minutes until
cancelled. The Emergency Response Center notifies the
appropriate emergency responders based on your location
and personal information – which may include local
police, highway patrol, the Coast Guard, our country’s
embassy or consulate, or other emergency response or
search and rescue teams – as well as notifying your
emergency contact person(s) about the receipt of a
distress signal.
Spot has benefits beyond emergency response. The
system allows you to send “check-in” messages to your
family and friends during a long hike. There is even an
option for your friends and family to track your
progress on Google Maps.
Checking In with Family & Friends
CHECK IN: Also
known as SPOTcheckingSM, this feature allows
you to let your SPOTteam – the friends and family you
have chosen as your contacts – know that all is well,
notify them of your location, or save waypoints so you
can review your route at a later date.
How It Works:
When you press the OK button, SPOT acquires your
exact location from the GPS network and routes it
through the SPOT satellite network. Your contacts
receive either an SMS text message on their mobile phone
with your message and coordinates, or an email with your
message and a link to Google Maps™ showing your exact
location.
Important Note:
Unlimited Check-in usage is included as part of the
low-cost SPOT service plan.
Once you have activated your SPOT account, you can
change your contacts and customize your SPOTcheckingSM
message at any time
Currently, the price is $169.00 plus yearly
activation of $99. They are offering free 2-Day
Shipping. I think that this is new hiking gear worth
checking out.
Humpback Rocks Hike
To continue the series of posts on
hiking in Nelson County, today’s post is about the
Humpback Rocks Trail.
In the past, I have posted a few
stories about the Humpback area on the Blue Ridge
Parkway. Those stories are about the Humpback Frontier
Center (milepost 5.8) and live bluegrass music. The
Humpback Rocks Trail is in the same area on the Blue
Ridge Parkway.
This is a “destination hike” with
an amazing view from the scenic overlook. Bring a
camera on this hike. Since this is a Nelson County
destination hike, it may be best to hike on this trail
either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to
avoid any crowds.
The trail is near milepost 6 on the
Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a parking area with ample
space. (free parking here) There is also a posted map
of the trails in the area. Notice that the Appalachian
Trail crosses the Humpback Rocks Trail. Note that the
Humpback Rocks Trail blazes are light blue and the AT
blazes are white.
Bring enough water for this hike.
We ran into a few people yesterday who were looking for
water.
The trail is one mile to the
humpback rocks. The trail is well maintained, but it
is steep. At times, you do need to walk over
rocks in the trail. (but not scale boulders) At the
fork in the light blue blaze trail, you need to turn
left. By turning left, you will head to a scenic
overlook. If you remain straight, you will hike to the
summit.
The scenic overlook is worth the
hike. On a clear day, hikers can see for 50+ miles.
Add this hike to your “must do” list during Fall Foliage
Season in Nelson County.
Hike the Plunge in
Wintergreen
“The Plunge” provides amazing
mountain views. On a clear day, you can see 45 miles
towards Lynchburg. This is certainly a “bring your
camera” hike in Wintergreen Resort. The Plunge
trailhead can be found on Blackrock Circle on
Wintergreen mountain. Follow the yellow trail blazes
from the trailhead to an awe-inspiring overlook.
This is the shortest trail in the
resort at only .2 miles. Be aware that this trail is
considered “moderate”. My personal notes include that
anyone who hikes this trail needs to wear appropriate
shoes. Even though this is a short trail, you will be
walking over rough terrain with large rocks. “The
Plunge” is a short trail, but you can also pick up the
Brimstone Trail or the BlackRock Trail from The Plunge.
(marked with red blazes)
Here is a quote from the
Wintergreen Nature Foundation:
“The Plunge is an excellent
introduction to the beauty and natural history of the
area. The rock formations were created millions of
years ago and are called pedlar gneiss. The Plunge
provides an incredible overlook and family picture
spot.”
If you are interested in hiking in
Wintergreen Resort, stop by Wintergreen Resort Premier
Properties and pick up a free resort hiking map.
(located in the Mountain Inn) There are over thirty
miles of hiking trails in the resort.
New Wintergreen
Hiking Trail
Hiking is one of the most visited library “rooms” on my
Blog Archive. We are heading into some of the best
hiking weather in Nelson County. Many head to the
trails in late Summer and Fall. Wintergreen has over 30
miles of marked and maintained trails. For information
about the trail system, visit
www.twnf.org
In
late Spring, The Wintergreen Nature Foundation added a
new trail to its already impressive trail system. I
have heard many positive comments about the new trail,
Morgan’s Loop. It sounds like this could be a trail
that was established many years ago in Wintergreen and
now brought back for hikers. There are a few steep
sections on this trail, but all say that this new “hike”
is a winner. Here is information from The Wintergreen
Nature Foundation’s web site:
Morgan's Loop
Morgans Loop is a 0.3 mile trail
adjoining the Upper Shamokin Falls Trail and Loggers
Alley trail forming a wonderful 0.9 mile loop hike (We
are fully aware Morgans Loop is itself not a loop. We
just liked the name). Morgan’s Loop was named for its
founder, Chip Morgan. In the process of scouring the
Wintergreen wilderness for unique ferns and wildflowers,
Chip came upon the semblance of an old trail paralleling
the Upper Shamokin Falls trail. Upon careful
examination, old blazes were found suggesting this trail
had previously been constructed and forgotten within
Wintergreen history. This fascinating trail takes the
hiker through superb rock formations, great wildflower
beds and passes right by the top of the Upper Shamokin
Falls. This vantage point showcases yet another
beautiful spot in the Wintergreen wilderness. Hikers
beware! Morgans Loop is steep in places and rates as
moderate to difficult. Despite the difficulty, this
trail is a must see for all looking to explore something
new at Wintergreen.
Blue Ridge Railway Trail
Extension Opens
I love the Piney River Trail.
(Located off of Rt. 151 in the town of Piney River) The
real name of this trail is the Blue Ridge Railway
Trail. Until this past Wednesday, the trail was
1.75 miles long-each way. The trail extension is 2.75
miles. The trail now totals 4.5 miles, each way.
Perfect for a bike ride.
Why do we love this local trail?
It is well maintained, flat and perfect for the entire
family. You can hike/walk, ride a bike or a horse on
this trail. The trail provides views of the Piney River
and woodland areas. You can even bring your dog, just
keep them on a leash.
Picnic tables and benches are
placed along the route. It is a great place to bring a
picnic for the family.
Traveling south on Rt. 151, the
trail head will be on your left with ample parking.
(next to the Piney River Train Station) At the end of
the original 1.75 miles, you will cross a country road
and continue along the new extension.
Winter Hiking in Nelson
County
I have received many questions
about Winter hiking in Nelson County and Wintergreen
Resort. “Hiking” still receives many web hits on both
of my web sites. Read the blog archive on Hiking on
both
www.ExperienceNelsonCounty.com and
www.ExperienceWintergreen.com.
If you are planning on hiking in
Wintergreen Resort, please visit the Wintergreen Nature
Foundation first. The foundation is located on
Wintergreen Drive across from the Spa and Fitness
Center. Several of the Wintergreen hiking trails are
closed during the Winter months. This is for your
safety as many trails become slick and icy during the
Winter months. The Nature Foundation will have a list
posted of open and closed trails. Maps are available
for sale.
The Appalachian Trail is open
year-round. Many park at Reeds Gap and hike on the
trail during the Winter months. Yesterday, Bill parked
there and walked south on the AT and then cut over to
Love, VA (in Nelson Co) and walked back up the Blue
Ridge Parkway. He reports that it was a great afternoon
hike. Please note that the Blue Ridge Parkway tends to
close in the Winter months while snow or ice is on the
parkway. The parking area at Reeds Gap will always be
available, even if the parkway is closed.
One of our favorite walks/hikes in
the Winter months is the Blue Ridge Railway trail in
Piney River. This is a flat, well-maintained trail with
ample parking. I have hiked this trail in the snow
without problems.
As always, follow these hiking
rules in Nelson County:
- Keep all dogs on a leash—even
if you don’t see other hikers. This is for the
safety of your pet, wildlife and other hikers.
- Tell someone where you are
going and when to expect your return
- Dress is layers during the
Winter and take extra socks. If you have questions
about Winter dress for hiking, visit Blue Ridge
Sports in the Mountain Inn, WTG. Be prepared for
the fast weather changes that we have in Nelson
during the Winter
- Even if you think you are only
going to be on the trail for a few hours, take
plenty of water and enough food/snacks for an extra
meal.
- Take a flashlight. Some areas
in our mountains get dark very early in the Winter.
Humpback Rocks Hike
To continue the series of posts on
hiking in Nelson County, today’s post is about the
Humpback Rocks Trail.
In the past, I have posted a few
stories about the Humpback area on the Blue Ridge
Parkway. Those stories are about the Humpback Frontier
Center (milepost 5.8) and live bluegrass music. The
Humpback Rocks Trail is in the same area on the Blue
Ridge Parkway.
This is a “destination hike” with
an amazing view from the scenic overlook. Bring a
camera on this hike. Since this is a Nelson County
destination hike, it may be best to hike on this trail
either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to
avoid any crowds.
The trail is near milepost 6 on the
Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a parking area with ample
space. (free parking here) There is also a posted map
of the trails in the area. Notice that the Appalachian
Trail crosses the Humpback Rocks Trail. Note that the
Humpback Rocks Trail blazes are light blue and the AT
blazes are white.
Bring enough water for this hike.
We ran into a few people yesterday who were looking for
water.
The trail is one mile to the
humpback rocks. The trail is well maintained, but it
is steep. At times, you do need to walk over
rocks in the trail. (but not scale boulders) At the
fork in the light blue blaze trail, you need to turn
left. By turning left, you will head to a scenic
overlook. If you remain straight, you will hike to the
summit.
The scenic overlook is worth the
hike. On a clear day, hikers can see for 50+ miles.
Add this hike to your “must do” list during Fall Foliage
Season in Nelson County. |
