We hiked this section on May 28, 2011.
Total hike time: 6 hours 53 minutes
We had the pleasure of joining the National Bridge Appalachian Trail Club (NBATC) for this hike. We met the group at the parking lot at the James River at 8:30 AM and then took 3 cars to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Punch Bowl Mountain Overlook
Pat was a wonderful hike leader who gave us detailed descriptions of the trail and warned us that it was “snakey” season.
We started hiking around 9:15 AM and the weather was a bit chilly and foggy. Our hike leader was Pat and the sweep was Robert (who is also a trail maintainer). We started climbing up Punchbowl Mountain and soon we were surrounded by beautiful pink rhododendrons and mountain laurels. The ground beneath our boots was nice and soft and the trail was in great shape.
We took our first break at Bluff Mountain which was the site of an old fire tower. We had absolutely no view because of the fog.
Bluff Mountain
After the break, we passed the Ottie Cline Powell memorial; several people had left trinkets on the memorial.
Ottie Cline Powell memorial
Nancy knew every flower and smell on the trail! Nancy got so excited by the beauty of the trail even though she has hiked this section many times.
Liz, Nancy, & Python
We stopped for lunch at Big Rocky Row and enjoyed hearing about Barbara and Liz' hiking trip to England last year. Then they told us about their upcoming trip to Irelend this year. The gals of the NBATC were great hikers and were very gracious.
We took another break at Fullers Rocks to wait for Robert. Several people pointed out the foot bridge over the James River – it looked like it was 20 miles away! Our feet were already aching and the bridge looked so far away.
James River
Apparently, Robert was doing trail maintenance and fell way behind. We waited for about 15 minutes and then Pat told us to go ahead while she went back for Robert.
Nancy was now the hike leader and we got to the junction of the AT and the blue-blazed Rocky Row trail when she discovered that TC was missing. So, we waited again. This time everyone including Robert finally caught up with us and we continued our long descent (21 switchbacks).
Saltlog Gap
The footing in this sections was loose rocks and a bit wet due to the rain the night before. Pat told us to have at least one body length between hikers – great advice!
Sometime in the afternoon the fog lifted and it started getting steamy in the woods. Unfortunately, we did not stop at the Johns Hollow Shelter.
At one point the trail paralleled a beautiful creek and we had to cross over 2 wooden footbridges.
We have to give a bit shout of to the ladies of the NBATC – Pat, Nancy, Barbara, and Liz!