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.

Frat House

A once grand old house in Harrisonburg, now serving as-- ugh!--a frat house.

Hotel Madison

The Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

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

 

Peek

Nearing the summit of Hightop Mountain here, with just a peek at the view beyond. 

Snag

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

Variety

 

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

Deadfall

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

 

Woodland Sunflower

Hightop Mountain Trail

Shenandoah National Park

"In spring and summer, the small blue and yellow flowers of bluets or Quaker ladies (Houstonia caerulea) line many trails. May is the time for pink azaleas (Rhododendron spp.) to bloom in the forest and along Skyline Drive, followed by the white flowers of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) in June. Summer is the time for flowers such as columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), milkweed (Asclepias spp), nodding onion (Allium cernuum), ox eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), and turk's cap lily (Lilium superbum) to bloom. Also in summer, look for the yellow and orange flowers of touch-me-nots (Impatiens spp.) along streams and near springs, and countless spiked blooms of black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) rising above the forest floor. The Park's growing season concludes with a strong display of goldenrods (Solidago spp.), asters (Symphyotrichum spp.), and wild sunflowers (Helianthus spp.) into the fall." -- Shenandoah National Park