Snow! (Well, Sort of)

 

We're still a LONG way from having any snow around these parts, I think. Still, it's nice to see these representations of the stuff in shop windows. 

Trail's End

 

 

Surprising end to my hiking adventure. Near the end, a hiker stumbled and fell on the trail's loose rocks (probably worn out by her earlier ascent), suffering a contusion to her face, although no one could be certain that her injuries weren't any worse. Fortunately, I had a first aid kit with me, something I now always carry with me whenever I'm hiking in the backcountry after having witnessed a number of other such mishaps. 

Anyway, with the help of another hiker or two, we soon got the injured hiker back on her feet and accompanied her to the trail's end. Always good to hike these trails with others when you can because one never ever knows what might lurk just around the next turn.

Trail Sculpture

 

 

As wonderful as the view from Humpback Rocks was and is, I was equally fascinated by what I call "trail sculpture" or, in other words, nature's art as crafted by--who knows how many years-- of exposure to the elements here at around 3,080 feet (938.784 meters).

 

 

Humpback Rocks

 

Crossing

 

The Humpback Rocks Loop Trail meets the Appalachian Trail at just about this point where a spur leads to the rocks, so quite often you'll meet folks like this fellow who looks like he's making a longer trek of it.

Stairs

 

The ascent along the Humpback Rocks Loop Trail is sometimes so steep that the National Park Service has chosen to install stairs to help prevent further erosion and, one would think, to help keep hikers from injuring themselves as the result of bad falls.

Loop Trail

 

It's been several weeks now since I climbed Humpback Rocks in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a favorite of many in this region. Still, as I will soon show, there was just a bit of fall color beginning to appear.