adventure

BACK TO THE MOUNTAINS

12:04:00 PM



Oh it feels so good to be back. Back to the mountains, back to the AT, back to the sunrise and sunset hikes, and back to that unforgettably clear head that comes after continuous breaths of fresh air.

It's been two weeks since I've moved back to Virginia and I have already done three different hikes. If you know me, you know how happy that makes me.

Sunrise at McAfee's Knob, sunset at Bald Knob, and Sunday at the Cascades. I am so content.


McAfee's knob is always a breathtaking view, especially if you wake up early enough to catch the sunrise. We took the fire route this time since we were ascending at 4:00am. The fire route is wide enough to walk alongside your fellow hikers and rugged enough that you feel like you aren't completely cheating the system. I recommend hiking that extra 100 yards at the end of the trail, past the primary overlook, as there are a few hanging rocks that are more secluded and offer just as good of a view. Compared to last year's sunrise hike at McAfee's, this year's far surpassed it. I couldn't take my eyes away from the fog and clouds that rolled over and consumed the mountains and filled the valleys and I've never seen a sun quite so gold in my life. 





Bald Knob has simply turned in to one of my favorite hikes. Only a half mile (although it is a half mile of straight vertical), it offers one of the best sunset views in southwest Virginia. I love seeing the distant infrastructures scattered at the base of the extraordinary mountains. 


And, finally, the Cascades. Waterfalls are just mesmerizing, and so this quick trip never disappoints. This past trip was my 11th trip to the Cascades and also filled in the box for an Autumn trip.  So even after I've walked it 11 times and through every season, I can still say it is beautiful and it is wild. What's not to love about walking on a fallen log to get to the perfect rock to sit on to watch a glorious waterfall? It's perfect and it's so southwest Virginia. 



It's good to be back. 



adventure

APPALACHIA // SUNRISE ON MCAFEE'S KNOB

1:00:00 AM

Let me begin by saying it is SO good to back in the mountains!  I truly missed everything about them.  I love waking up early and seeing the fog roll over their blue ridges, feeling the crisp winds come rolling down, and, of course, hiking to the gorgeous overlooks.  

One of the first things I wanted to do upon returning to school was hike to watch a sunrise.  We chose a hike that a few of us were familiar with from hiking it in the past, but no one had ever hiked it for the sunrise.  It was incredible.  We woke up at 2:30am, packed up our headlamps and snacks, and headed off to the mountain at 3:15.  After beginning our ascent at 4:00am, we arrived at the peak a little over an hour before sunrise which would begin at 6:50.  

We laid on the rocks, snuggling into each other to keep from the wind and ate starbursts while being slightly concerned over the "Bear Activity" sign near by.  At 6:50 the sun peeked out over a distant mountain, immediately being swallowed into the dense clouds.  My closest  friends and I sat on the ledge, our hiking boots hanging off, watching the pink sun rise and disappear.  Good morning.  We felt alive.  

After we raved and reflected about the beauty and how fun the experience was of hiking under a powerful super moon, we climbed into the car and dragged ourselves back to our beds for the best naps of 2015.  It was a beautiful Sunday.  I can't wait to get back out there.