Rockytop/Big Run Loop

“I am back home!!!
no trip report from me, at least not tonight.”

“I'm looking forward to the trip reports for this trip. I really wanted to be there. I still can't shake this cough. It better go away soon. Hope you guys had a good time and that someone took pictures.

Less than a week till the Blacks!!!!!!”

“no way, I'm not bailing on the NC trip! This flu should be gone within a day or two.”

“All I can say is that the last couple of miles kicked my butt. My body is still screaming at me for the punishment. I will post a trip report and pics later.

What an awesome group of TT'rs!”

“Creek Dancer - the flower I was talking about is one of the flowers in the Aureolaria genus - possibly virginica, laevegata, or flava - see http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=AUREO for some more details

This genus used to be called Gerardia and some books such as Newcombs Wildflower Guide may still use that name as the name of the genus.”

“I am uploading the group picture right now. (check the album) Creek Dancer, you're not on it. :(

It was nice finally meeting you. Nice meeting Shush and Shambala (sp??).
Great to see old faces again!

I really like ya'll!!! :)”

“I finally made it home late last night. I will do a TR later on with pics.

It was so good to meet Shush, Shembala, HOI, Creek Dancer, Y2 and Bison. I had an awesome time with yall and definately want to head up there again sometime.

Has anyone heard from Y2 or Bison?”

“yeah, we got back thanks Em - well he was last seen dropping me off in DC. So I guess he got back from there ok. My feet hurt :o) How long the drive take you Em. Great to meet you and Shush and Shembala for the first time.”

“What a great hike. Tons to do today so I'll save the TR for later. Glad to see Gemini and Embear made it home alright, I know y'all had a long way to drive, and even I was tired by the time I got home.”

“the pictures didn't really turn out too great, but hey...at least you have something to look at.
http://community.webshots.com/album/199002964BCVTjQ”

“okay, pics are ALL up now. (click the webshots link above)


last edited: 10/11/04 3:35:27 PM”

“I know there must be many questions about this trip, and as soon as some of us get a chance to post I'm sure the following questions will be answered:

Did someone drop out due to injury? How many times did people fall in the water? Were people attacked by leaves? How much alcohol was consumed? Who provided free breakfast at the trailhead? Did the climbs kick everybody's ass? Did y'all see any bears? And finally, what on God's green earth would cause Gemini to scream out "Are you guys doin' it in there?" in the middle of the night?”

“awesome pics Gemini. I'm really upset I missed the trip. Looks like it was a ton of fun. I'm still sick and probably wouldn't have felt any worse if I would have went camping. Good news is that I have the job and start tomorrow.”

“looking forward to that trip report. Bring on the Black Mountains.”

“Hey Gem, do those folks have names?”

“I almost forgot to mention HOI. HOI it was great seeing you again, and THANK YOU so much for a great breakfast!!”

“picture
in the background from left to right:
Y2, Shush

front from left to right:
embear, Gemini, bison”

“HOI was the star of the whole show. He showed up with breakfast for us on Saturday morning!!!!”

“HOI is the man!!”

“the pictures really didn't turn out good at all. Most of them are blury, not sure why. Must've been me shaking... lol

it was great, and I have never seen as much bear $h!t then on this trip.
last edited: 10/11/04 7:51:06 PM”

“I'm glad you made it home ok Gem. Your pics arent bad! Some of mine were blurry too. I've got mine on webshots, but don't want to post them until I get a TR down. BUT.....the Titans are playing right now and I cant concentrate. Tomorrow morning maybe. I'm waiting for Bison to post his TR first.....”

“the Titans are killing the Packers. This is not good!!”

“ENS, why are you such a traitor?”

“I like the Titans but I am first and foremost a Packer Fan!! I grew up a Packer Fan.”

“Well thats just too bad. Did you see that nice turnover just now???”

“Gem - nice pic! Who's the guy standing behind you. I 'know' the rest.

Dang!!! embear and Gem look cute!”

“I can't bear to watch the game anymore. :( Poor packers.”

“A beautiful autumn morning was made even better by some unexpected trail magic of Hog On Ice. His hot breakfast sandwiches and juice were a special treat to send us on our way to Rockytop Trail. We stopped at the Lewis Mountain spur junction for a side trip to the overlook. I stayed behind with the packs to scare off the bears and conserve energy for a very long and strenuous day hike.

The descent down Rockytop Trail was not a steep as I imagined, but it was rocky. We crossed a few talus slides, hiked across the sheer southwest wall of Big Run Canyon, an area that had burned out in the 90’s (I think). There were nice views of Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountain.

The trail was lined with Showy Aster, as HOI hinted we would find. Flowerless Allegheny Stonecrop poked up through the rocks. Once we reached the bottom at the converge of Rockytop Trail and Big Run Portal Trail, the surroundings changed from dry and rocky to a damp and lush rain forest type canopy. Little pink Smart Swampweed flowers hung over the edge of the trail.

We crossed Big Run maybe seven times. The water was not very high, but high enough to make keeping toes dry rather difficult. Did anyone manage to keep both boots dry?

After about 11 miles, the group found a camping spot along Big Run. Bison filtered some water for me and I headed down the trail toward a steep haul out of Big Run and another 3 miles of hiking. After a few more water crossings, the 1500 foot ascent began up Big Run Portal Trail. The trail was uncommonly quiet until a falcon crashed through the tree branches above. I met the trail overseer who explained his trail maintenance believe system.

Sure was great to meet you guys and I hope to hike with you again some day. Special thanks to Bison for planning the hike and lending a hand at the water crossings.

Here are some pics.
http://community.webshots.com/scripts/controlPanel.fcgi
last edited: 10/12/04 8:22:58 AM”

“i didnt know embear was agirl :S Hey howed you get the name?”

“Nice report Creek Dancer, but I can't find the pics.”

“Here they are:

http://community.webshots.com/album/199435261DLcoQR”