Wandering

 

The trail system in Forest Park, well, let's just say that I've seen systems that were much less confusing. 

A paper map could have helped. Although, I suppose these days a lot of people prefer apps like AllTrails. Not being one of those, I spend a lot of time these days just wondering as I wander. :-)

Meaning?

 

A house along one of the trails in Forest Park. Interesting display of flags. Meaning?

Trail Scenes

Spent the better part of a day walking the Forest Park trails in Springfield, Massachusetts. Curious about the name given to the Virginia Creeper (shown below), I looked it up. Wikipedia says, "The name Virginia creeper, referring to both the plant's 'virgin' epithet and to part of its native range in the U.S. state of Virginia, is also used for the whole genus Parthenocissus, as well as for other species within the genus."

 

Common Milkweed

 

Nothing "common" about it as far as I'm concerned. A pretty remarkable plant, all things considered. Especially important to Monarch butterflies, I've read.

Beavers

 

Kinda makes me wonder what end goal these beavers have in mind for this project. 

Ticks

As this trail is something of a local secret, I'm keeping the exact location to myself. If that wasn't enough to reduce traffic, I'm thinking this sign might also. In addition to the ticks, there is quite a lot of poison ivy along the trail.

Nibbles?

High Knob Wildflowers

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Observation Deck

Views from inside the High Knob Fire Tower's observation deck.

High Knob View

View from the High Knob Fire Tower

Inside

Inside the High Knob fire tower. 

Mind your step. Lots of bat guano.

Joining Skywatch Friday.

Fire Tower

Nearing the Summit

Decidedly rockier near the summit.

With various kinds of vegetation trying to hang on in what can be, I think, a pretty harsh environment.

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Private Property

The High Knob Tower Trail in the George Washington National Forest borders private property in places.

1021

There often comes a moment when you're hiking summit trails when you begin to wonder how much farther you will have to hike to reach the top. This was one of those moments, especially as I began to ponder what possible meaning should be attached to the number "1021." Usually, distances on these signs are indicated in miles. Or, occasionally, I've seen references to feet. Sometimes, though, trail signs will indicate elevation above sea level. So what was I to make of "1021." I still don't have any idea, although I suppose that 1021 feet to the top can't be ruled out entirely. But if that was the case, then why not just say so?  In any case, I just pressed on, mystery in mind.

Trail Ornaments

High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

Trail Signs

 High Knob Tower Trail

George Washington National Forest

High Knob Tower Trail

The High Knob Tower Trail, part of the Great Eastern Trail, lies west of Harrisonburg, Virginia, on the border with West Virginia and in the George Washington National Forest.

Joining Skywatch Friday.

Going Down

I found going down the Hightop Mountain Trail as interesting as going up.

Summit

Hightop Mountain summit (3,587 ft/1,093m)

Shenandoah National Park