New Trail: Dripping Rock (BRP) to Rt. 56, Tye River

Date: April 18, 2011

Where: near Waynesboro, VA and Wintergreen Resort
Weather: Mostly sunny, 70F midday, breezy

Length: 15.4 m

Elevation change: Dripping Rock - 2940, Three Ridges Summit - 3900, Tye River - 1000

Duration: 7 h

Left Orange early morn headed for the trailhead car park just west of Tyro, VA on Rt. 56.  Since I do not want to backtrack in my hiking my plan was to hitch a ride up 56 to the parkway and then north to Dripping Rock.  I waited about 30 minutes for my first ride with Pierre who took me up a couple of miles; many folks were coming off the mountain but not many going up.  Wilton picked me up and was good for another mile or so; he dropped me near a junkyard like widening in the road.  There I waited for another 30 minutes with the local gnat-like bugs for my angels to show.

Steve and Jess picked me up and off we went to Crabtree Falls to see the water just pouring off the mountain from the recent deluge; then up 56 to the parkway.  Which way, north or south?  North.  Hey we're going that way.  They took me all the way to Dripping Rock.  That's why they are called angels.  Good old boys willing to do any stranger a favor and chat it up though they had a busy day ahead, I least that's what Steve said.

Now the clock says 10:30 and I have some serious hiking to do.  Relatively flat for the first 4 miles to the Three Ridges Overlook along the AT.  The ubiquitious white blaze comforting all the way.  Made good time.  This is a shake-down hike since it has been awhile.  I wanted to check out my gear and particulary see how my boots and feet fared.  Love those trekking poles and my hydration system (fancy water bottle).  Little foliage so expansive views abounded.

I expect I will do much of my hiking in cooler climes when safe to avoid bugs and to catch better views.  But any AT hiker will tell you that you just have to get used to the many miles that are tree-covered, foliage rich and view-less.  It ended up being a warmer day than I expected, but the breeze brought welcome relief.

Trilium were in abundance as well as some other species of wildflowers and the fiddle-heads of ferns were making their appearance.  Due to significant rain on Saturday the springs and streams were full.  Made for viewing and listening pleasure.  Took a brief rest at Three Ridges Overlook before the ascent.  The trail goes over three ridges as the name suggests; getting a walking rest in the saddles between them proved necessary - thanks to the trail designers.

 Reaching the final summit was challenging and rewarding; I wondered if my pre-hike walking regimen would pay off.  It did.  There were few folks out hiking; two thru-hikers, a long weekender, and a looper all with full pack for overnight; a couple of day hikers and no fauna other than some birds.  I made a point a speaking to all and sharing a bit if they had a moment to spare.  With a remaining 7 miles to the Tye River, the terrain was basically all downhill from 3900 feet down to 1000.  Lots of rock scrabble and switchbacks.  I really love those trekking poles.

So, hearing the rush of the Tye River (and not all those streams) and walking across the suspection bridge were a welcome end.  I was probably a bit over-zealous in my first outing in a while.  Feet got warm in those leather boots.  Oh, how I remember how my feet felt after Win and I hiked 120 miles at Philmont some years ago.  Given, I am somewhat of a tenderfoot at the moment since I have not been hiking like this regularly and recently (the dogs will toughen) I will be considering what the latest technology has to offer.

So, all-in-all, a good trip for my first time on the trail in a while.  Met some interesting folk, saw some marvelous views, tried out some new gear and made it back to Orange safely.  I plan some more training hikes and overnights with a bigger pack load within Virginia for this spring and summer. 

I did have a few anxious moments wondering if someone was really going to pick me up and if I started too late would I finish well. I also learned that I am a bit OCD about those white trail blazes.  A couple of times the trail became rocky and indistinct  with no blazes visible and those were the times when I really wanted to see one to make sure I was not headed off trail.  I remembered a wise person once saying just turn around and look back down the trail and sure enough there was just what I was looking for - guidance in the wilderness even in hindsight.  Reminds me of other life-journeys I have been on and discovering where the guidance came from on those treks in reflection some time later.