Picture of the Day
This blog chronicles the hikes I've completed in the "Lee 333 Challenge". I haven't set a challenge deadline because I can't dedicate myself 100% to it. However, if the SNAP500 (or SHEN500) can be done in one year, I don't see any reason why a dedicated enthusiast couldn't complete the "Lee 333" in under a year also.
Distance: 4.51
Duration: 2:56
Ascent: 822ft
PATC Difficulty: 86
Lee 333 Progress Summary:
Trails: 26 of 110
Trail Miles: 87.03 of 353.6 miles (266.57 miles to go)
Hiked Miles: 164.06 miles
Today's Track
Today's hike took me to a trail that I'm calling "Lower Indian Grave" because it's just across the street from Indian Grave Ridge Trail. The trail is off Page Valley road on the right.
Looking from the parking area back towards Page Valley Road
Looking east from the parking area
Fish and Wildlife Habitat Project Sign
The trail skirts a pine grove
The pine grove had been burned at the ground level but is recovering very nicely.
The remains of a house foundation
The remains of a house foundation
The trail re-enters the pine grove
Notice the charred base of the pines
Most of the area today was once burned out at the ground level
The burned area is recovering
Wow!
I
headed from the parking area straight towards the Shenandoah river
where I came to an amazing beach. Just as I got there, a beaver smacked
the surface and startled me.
I'm definitely coming back to swim later this year
I can't wait to return for a dip in the river on a warmer day.
Looking across a small narrow channel that forms an island in the South Fork
Next I followed the trail north along the river then northwest along a thin branch of the river that created an island.
The trail is growing over but is still very evident and easy to follow
The trail follows the river bank
Then the trail strikes uphill back towards the ridge
From there the trail headed uphill to the ridge. The last point of
Indian Grave Ridge before the river.
And climbs
Really this was the only climb of the day
Some of last year's Hen of the Woods
At the top was an intersection, west towards Page Valley Road and east back towards the river. I followed the trail east until I intersected the trail I started on then retrace my path back to the ridge.
Wide and open hiking back on the ridge
A line of Strawberry plants in bloom
Heading back to Page Valley Road
Page Valley Road just ahead
From the ridge intersection I hiked west to Page Valley Road and from there I road walked back to the parking lot.
Looking back the way I'd just come
Dryads Saddle - a web search says "edible not not very good"
Dryad's Saddle
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