Elevation Gain: 1,260 ft Hike Time: 1.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
Spy Rock would be a great hike to do after hiking Crabtree Falls as it's just a few miles up VA56 from Crabtree Falls near Montebello, VA.
Our original intent was to map this as a day hike and continue on the A.T. to The Priest Shelter and camp the night. Deep snow (1 to 2 feet) prevented us from continuing so we spent the night at Spy Rock.
We also did this hike in May 2008 so there will be photos from then plus photos from our snow hike. The views from Spy Rock are spectacular (360 degrees) giving you a great view of the Religious Range: The Priest, The Little Priest, The Friar, The Little Friar, and The Cardinal. This is a short hike but well worth it to see the views from Spy Rock.
We didn't complete the entire 8 mile loop, we stopped after reaching the Marbleyard. It was a fantastic hike, with the trail at times becoming a stream that you have to follow. You should plan to at least get your feet wet, it would be nearly impossible to avoid it with the many ... more >>>
This hike is one of the more challenging hikes I have ever done. I took my dogs along which I would not recommend doing. The large rocks that you must climb to reach the top led to me having to carry and lift them for a good part of the hike. The view from the top is great, but o ... more >>>
Due to the heavy rains and the high water in the Potomac River, the trail from the Visitor Center heading upriver to the Heritage Trail is flooded out as of 3/13/2010. As an alternative, you can go behind the the Visitor's Center to the parking lot, turn left up the long "stairs ... more >>>
Prior to beginning this hike, the only experiences I had were hiking on State Park trails in Michigan, which were all marked with nice trail posts to mark the way and bulletin boards every so often. You're never more than a mile from civilization, an outhouse, a drinking source, ... more >>>
I went on this hike with a buddy of mine yesterday. All of the snow is finally melted and it was a very enjoyable hike. We took an alternative route to the waterfall and wandered some of the other meeting trails to make the hike a bit longer. From the east parking lot (going cloc ... more >>>
I've been up on Old Rag plenty of times at this point (over thirty) and this was the first time I've seen this much snow still on the trails. Be sure to have boots with extremely good traction that are well-waterproofed as well as long pants to protect your shins when you sink i ... more >>>
...access road not passable in a passenger car. Snow and ice covered. If you have a large truck...my guess is you'll be fine. I"m going to wait a month or so to attempt this again! Can't wait! ... more >>>
Over 150 Day Hikes In Virginia & West Virginia Over 20+ New Hikes Planned For 2010!
Missing VCU Student - March 2, 2010
Avid mountain biker Jonathan S. Dorey was last seen in Richmond, VA March 2, 2010. Dorey is white, between 5 feet, 10 inches and 6 feet tall, weighs between 180 and 200 pounds, has brown hair, and wears glasses. He was last seen wearing a blue and white plaid jacket with a hood and dark blue jeans. He was riding a black mountain bike.
Skyline Drive SNP - Closed
Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park is closed due to inclement weather and flooding potential. Call the park's recorded information line: (540) 999-3500, 4, 1 for the most current Skyline Drive status.
HikingUpward Geocaching
For the past five years HikingUpward has been been planting 'Find a Free Hiking Stick' geocaches on our hikes. This year we have also started placing traditional geocaches of small containers with log book, pen, and small exchange item, then registering them on Geocaching.com.
Check out Crow's Nest
(fredericksburg.com) - Its been described as an environmental jewel for good reason. The Crows Nest peninsula along Aquia and Accokeek creeks in Stafford, has pristine tidal marshes, abundant widlife and the most extensive mature coastal plain hardwood forest in the mid-Atlantic region ...
National Park Service Rangers to Lead Haunted History Hike
(wvnstv.com) - GLEN JEAN The Thurmond-Minden Trail in the New River Gorge National River in Fayette County winds through abandoned mining communities and some of the most picturesque scenery in southern West Virginia. National Park ...
Police seek suspects in Virginia Tech students deaths
(roanoke.com) - The bodies of two young Virginia Tech students from central Virginia were found Thursday in a remote area of Montgomery County, and authorities are considering their deaths to be a double homicide. ...
Old Rag to Require Reservations
(Madison News) - Impromptu visits to Old Rag Mountain will eventually be a thing of the past. Shenandoah National Parks latest plans for future parking changes ...
Teen fined $25,000 for cost of NH mountain rescue
(Associated Press) - CONCORD, N.H. A Massachusetts teenager who spent three nights alone on Mount Washington in April after he sprained an ankle and veered off marked trails has been fined. ...
Steward helps protect hikers as well as Old Rag Mountain
(Richmond Times-Dispatch) - MADISON -- In some areas of the country, the pink blossom of a lady's slipper orchid is a rare sight.
"If you're a local and just saw one" on Old Rag Mountain, "you would think they're like dandelions," said hiker Bob Look, 54. "In other parts of the country, people would go gaga ...
Legally Blind Hiker Found 6 Days After Going Missing
(All Headline News) - Snowden, VA (AHN) - A legally blind hiker who was lost on the Appalachian Trail for six days was found alive and healthy Saturday afternoon. ...
***Alert *** A.T. Hiker Found
(Backpacking Light) - UPDATE 5/2/09 4:07 PM: KEN KNIGHT WAS FOUND TODAY AND WALKED OUT UNDER HIS OWN STEAM. HE IS AT THE HOSPITAL AND MORE DETAILS WILL LIKELY FOLLOW ONCE WE HAVE THEM. - Addie Bedford ...
Make Your Own Dehydrated Backpack Meals
(www.trailcooking.com) - This is a great site for making your own dehydrated meals. Check out my blog about the same subject:
http://blueridgetreks.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/make-your-own-dehydrated-hiking-meals/ ...
Williams Island a hidden James River gem
(Richmond Times Dispatch) - In the summer, Pony Pasture Rapids is one of the James River Parks most popular destinations. Hundreds of exposed rocks create endless riffles and eddies for thousands of Richmonders to swim ...
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