| |
Date |
Day |
Start |
Finish |
Who / Where |
Miles |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
7/6/2003 |
Sunday |
08:00 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.00 |
| First hike!
Took Poverty Creek trail from parking lot to the pond. Then walked
around north and east sides of pond to Horse Nettle to Lady Slipper to
Larkspur to the pond and to parking lot. |
|
2 |
7/8/2003 |
Tuesday |
06:30 |
09:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
7.00 |
| Took Horse
Nettle trail from parking lot to FS Rd 188-2 to unnamed trail about
1.5 miles along road. Trail was extremely steep and intersected with
Joe Pye trail near Poverty Creek. Went left on Poverty Creek to
another unnamed trail, now dubbed "Woody" in honor of my dad Norwood
(see 8/30/03 entry). Went about half mile and turned back, realizing
we were going the wrong way. Returned to Poverty Creek trail and to
parking lot. |
|
3 |
7/11/2003 |
Friday |
06:30 |
14:30 |
LuAnn |
John's Creek Mountain |
12.00 |
| Met LuAnn at
Pandapas Pond and she followed me to intersection of VA 42 and A.T.
Parked her vehicle there. Drove together to 658 and parked at John's
Creek Mountain trailhead. Started hiking forest road, not realizing we
were not on primary trail. Missed primary trail to A.T. and dead ended
on road. Decided too far to retrace to trail and bushwacked to A.T. by
compass. Took A.T. to Laurel Creek Shelter and had lunch. Continued on
A.T. to VA 42. Rainy day initially but partly cloudy after lunch.
Beautiful multiple small waterfalls along creek after shelter!
Returned to LuAnn's car 12:10, then drove to end of 658 for beautiful
view of mountains. Returned to my car at John's Creek Mountain
trailhead and decided to walk primary trail for a few miles. Startled
wild turkey and chicks. Last trip duration 13:00 to 14:20. |
|
4 |
7/17/2003 |
Thursday |
07:15 |
10:45 |
Bess |
Pandapas Pond |
7.00 |
| Took Horse
Nettle from parking lot all the way to end, then Jacob's Ladder to
Poverty Creek to parking lot. Mom's first hike! Jacob's Ladder
beautiful and quite steep in places. |
|
5 |
7/20/2003 |
Sunday |
08:15 |
11:45 |
Jody |
Pandapas Pond |
7.00 |
| Same route as
with Mom on 7/17. Saw what appeared to be Pileated Woodpeckers off
trail about 50 yards. Couldn't confirm. |
|
6 |
7/22/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:30 |
11:00 |
Bess |
Pandapas Pond |
8.00 |
| Took Poverty
Creek from parking lot to Joe Pye trail. Trail poorly marked and ended
up on Larkspur to Lady Slipper to Horse Nettle. Went to near end of
Horse Nettle looking for Snake Root (not marked). Ended up on unnamed
trail which backtracked to road turnaround. Went back to unnamed trail
start because I saw Goat's Beard at that point. Took new trail which
ended up to be Snake Root. Snake Root is beautiful! Narrow trail along
edges of five deep ravines. Breathtaking!!! Many switchbacks. Trail
leads back to Poverty Creek and took that to parking lot. |
|
7 |
7/24/2003 |
Thursday |
08:30 |
11:30 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
9.00 |
| First order of
business was to find out where I went wrong on Joe Pye earlier this
week. Took Horse Nettle from parking lot to Joe Pye, then to where I
had lost the trail on Tuesday. Again, trail is poorly marked with two
double blazes, which is very confusing. Decided at that point to
confirm Larkspur was trail heading north from the intersection. Did
confirm it and trail leads to the pond. Walked along south side to
pond to where I thought Lady Slipper was and confirmed that also. Took
Lady Slipper to Horse Nettle to Snake Root. Met mountain biker Patty
at third ravine. She said she's seen bears in area and also told me
about vista on or near last section of Poverty Creek trail looking
back at Brush Mountain. Continued on trail to Poverty Creek and took
side trail back to pond. Found nice little rapids where Poverty Creek
exits from pond. Returned to car via Horse Nettle. Realized easier to
park at pond to walk trails. |
|
8 |
7/28/2003 |
Monday |
07:00 |
09:40 |
Bess, Jody |
Pandapas Pond |
5.50 |
| Wanted to take
Jody to Snake Root and also have both experience the long tunnel of
Rhododendrons on Larkspur. Saw two box turtles on Horse Nettle. |
|
9 |
7/29/2003 |
Tuesday |
06:45 |
08:55 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.50 |
| Same route as
yesterday. Saw another box turtle on Horse Nettle, plus a snail. |
|
10 |
7/31/2003 |
Thursday |
06:45 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
8.00 |
| Took Woody off
Poverty Creek north to FS Rd 269. Saw a large doe. West on forest road
to Prickly Pear trail. Very steep. Took Skullcap trail (also steep in
places) at junction to Trillium, which ends into Poverty Creek. Saw a
large group camping at that point. Returned to parking lot via Poverty
Creek. Several creek crossings and some beautiful rapids and small
waterfalls. We were ready to stop hiking after Trillium but had to go
on. After hiking went to Back Country outfitters. |
|
11 |
8/2/2003 |
Saturday |
14:30 |
17:00 |
LuAnn |
The Cascades |
5.50 |
| Took east
trail to lower Cascade Falls along Little Stony Creek. Spectacular!
Endless rapids with huge (all sizes) boulders. Stopped at the lower
falls to rest and take pictures. Continued on west trail, which leads
back to parking lot, but turned right on upper falls trail to the
falls. These falls are not advertised and really have no facilities
for the public to view them. We were able to navigate a path along the
creek and find a good spot to view the falls and take pictures. The
Upper Falls are not as high as the Lower Falls 60 foot drop but they
were wider and very beautiful. Returned to parking lot via the west
trail. |
|
12 |
8/3/2003 |
Sunday |
09:00 |
14:00 |
LuAnn |
John's Creek Mountain |
9.00 |
| Returned to do
the complete John's Creek Mountain this time! Parked LuAnn's car on VA
42 near the A.T. and mine up at the trailhead on VA 658. Hiked the
trail along John's Creek Mountain ridgeline to the A.T. Saw two
salamanders and a garter snake. Turned left on the A.T. and saw a
white tailed doe. Continued on the trail and topped at Kelly's Knob
overlook for the view. It was magnificent! A good 180 degree view to
the south and southwest on top of a huge rock outcropping. Stayed for
about 20 minutes to rest and eat some trail mix. Left the overlook and
met a couple enroute to the Knob (Andy & Michelle Hall). Continued on
trail to Laurel Creek shelter, stopping again for about 15 minutes.
Returned to LuAnn's car at VA 42, when she discovered she had left her
keys in my car back at the trailhead, probably about five miles away.
As luck would have it, The Hall's had finished their hike and were
back at their car near LuAnn's. They agree to give us a lift to my
car! |
|
13 |
8/12/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:30 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
7.00 |
| Parked at the
lower lot and hiked Poverty Creek to Snake Grass. Took Snake Root up
to Horse Nettle and followed the old jeep trail to the start of
"Beauty." Beauty is somewhat similar to Snake Root, following a narrow
path around deep ravines. Several decent openings to see surrounding
terrain. Also a nice pine forest area. Came out to the Poverty Creek
trail and returned to the parking lot. |
|
14 |
8/17/2003 |
Sunday |
11:30 |
14:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
3.00 |
| Decided to
bushwhack from LuAnn's house to Horse Nettle. Followed creek on west
side of her street as far as possible, then followed crest of ridge
along creek, which eventually lead to a two track to the top. Ended up
coming out at the little red cabin on Horse Nettle, just before FS Rd
188-2 ends where an old lookout tower stood. Returned to LuAnn's
house via the two track until it ended at a gated pasture. Followed
the pasture fence, which led to LuAnn's backyard. |
|
15 |
8/19/2003 |
Tuesday |
09:15 |
11:45 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
| Parked in
lower lot and followed Poverty Creek trail to Joe Pye to Horse Nettle.
Walked the Horse Nettle/FS Rd 188-2 to the old lookout tower
turnaround. Saw a huge Great Horned Owl as I walked along the road.
Took trail at turnaround to the Snake Root trailhead, then a very
steep side trail off Snake Root to Jacob's Ladder. Saw a couple deer
in the ravine below the trail. Crossed Poverty Creek and returned to
the parking lot via that trail. |
|
16 |
8/20/2003 |
Wednesday |
07:30 |
09:45 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
| From lower
lot, took pond path to Lady Slipper, to Horse Nettle, to Jacob's
Ladder, to Poverty Creek trail and back. Basically the same route as
yesterday, with one variation. |
|
17 |
8/21/2003 |
Thursday |
07:30 |
09:30 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.00 |
| From lower lot
took Poverty Creek to Woody, then FS Rd 269 to Queen Anne. Returned
same. Woody and Queen Anne trails are very nice and fairly easy to
hike. |
|
18 |
8/23/2003 |
Saturday |
08:15 |
14:15 |
LuAnn |
McAfee's Knob |
8.00 |
| After
breakfast at "Famous Anthony's" in Blacksburg, took Harding Rd to
Blacksburg Rd to VA 311 (Catawba Dr) to parking area where AT crosses.
Absolutely a wonderful hike and day! McAfee's Knob is about 3.7 miles
from the parking area, with two shelters along the way. Hike is up and
down until the last mile where it becomes somewhat steep. Arrived at
the Knob around 10:45 and LuAnn had packed two Bud Lights for us to
celebrate, opened at 10:50. We had the Knob to ourselves for about 45
minutes when the first group of a wedding party arrived. The view is
SPECTACULAR! Took many photos. At about 11:30 we decided to visit
Devil's Kitchen, about 0.10 miles further along the AT. Huge cubical
boulders of sandstone haphazardly "placed" and cool to visit. The AT
twisted though them. Returned to the Knob and got ready for lunch.
LuAnn selected a flat boulder in the shade and set out the food. Upon
sitting down, a young Copperhead snake stretched out between her legs
from underneath the rocks. LuAnn quickly moved away and tried to
"encourage" it to come out with a small stick. Looking back underneath
the rocks, another larger head appeared... Momma. We moved to another
boulder. After a leisurely lunch and some more sightseeing, we left
the knob at 12:30. People continued to arrive for the 14:00 wedding,
and LuAnn noted that they really weren't prepared for the hike... not
much water. On our way back to the car we ran into the groom. He told
us that he had gone up earlier that morning and had seen two bear
cubs, one of them climbing a tree and the other passing across the
trail behind him. We wondered where Mrs. Bear was. Also seen was a
cool lizard on one of the footbridges along the trail. It didn't seem
scared and we donated some bread. Back to car at 14:15. First time out
with the GPS, which plotted our track. Eventually found out that card
was bad and couldn't save track. Card replaced at Radio Shack. Yay! |
|
19 |
8/26/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:40 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.50 |
| Took the usual
pond route to Poverty Creek trail, to Woody, to Goat's Beard (new trail on the
other side of FS Rd 269), to Prickly Pear and then to Skullcap.
After exiting Skullcap to the forest road, took very
steep path back to Poverty Creek trail. Our track saved on GPS for the
first time now that the card has been replaced and is working. First
time plotted track on quad software. Very Cool, elevation profile
included! |
|
20 |
8/27/2003 |
Wednesday |
07:20 |
10:35 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| GPS tracking
mission! Parked at upper lot and took Horse Nettle to end, at Jacob's
Ladder. Saw Doe and Buck White Tails. Backtracked to Snake Root and
took that to Poverty Creek. Saw two Does. Poverty Creek to Joe Pye, to
Lady Slipper, then back up Lady Slipper to Larkspur. Managed to get
five separate GPS tracks for the day! |
|
21 |
8/28/2003 |
Thursday |
07:10 |
08:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
2.00 |
| Short hiking
day. Took Poverty Creek to Joe Pye to Lady Slipper, then walked along
the nature "bridge" and back to parking lot. Saw two ducks or geese
that I have yet to identify. Obviously male and female, with red heads
above their eyes. Male black with white back, female brown (or gray). |
|
22 |
8/30/2003 |
Saturday |
06:45 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| Took Poverty
Creek to Woody to Goat's Beard to Prickly Pear to Skullcap to
Trillium. Then Poverty Creek for awhile. Saw several groups of runners
who, upon LuAnn's inquiry, said they were with the VT cross country
team. We decided to leave Poverty Creek and walk FS Rd 269 until
we came to Queen Anne and then take that back to the parking lot via
Skullcap, Prickly Pear, etc. |
|
23 |
8//30/03 |
Saturday |
15:30 |
16:30 |
See Remarks |
Pandapas Pond |
1.00 |
 Special hike to
scatter the ashes of my father, Norwood Earl "Woody" Wicks,
who passed away in April of this year. Attending: my mother Bess, sister Jody, brother Kevin and
his wife Leslie and children Brittany and
Zachary. From lower lot, took Poverty Creek to Woody (named
in honor of my father), going just past the clearing
on the left. Scattered his ashes on the right side of the trail,
down a little slope of a shallow ravine. A fitting tribute to one
hell of a man, with love from his family. He will always be deeply
missed... |
|
|
24 |
9/1/2003 |
Monday |
07:15 |
10:00 |
LuAnn, Bess, Jody |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
| Poverty Creek
to Woody to FS Rd 269 to Queen Anne. Decided to give Mom and Jody a
taste of Skullcap, Prickly Pear, and Goat's Beard, returning on Woody
and Poverty Creek. Saw large dead toad on road and salamander on
Skullcap. |
|
25 |
9/2/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:15 |
08:45 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
3.50 |
| Took Horse
Nettle from upper lot to FS Rd 188-2, seeing two deer, then back to
Joe Pye to Larkspur, and around the pond to Horse Nettle again and the
lot. Saw those two ducks/geese again, close-up this time. |
|
26 |
9/3/2003 |
Wednesday |
08:15 |
11:30 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| GPS tracking
mission. Took Horse Nettle to Jacob's Ladder to Jeep Trail to Beauty
to FS Rd 269 to Woody to Poverty Creek and the parking lot. |
|
27 |
9/4/2003 |
Thursday |
08:10 |
11:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| Light rain to
start... Poverty Creek to Woody to Goat's Beard to Prickly Pear to
Skullcap to Trillium. Started to rain hard, with trails turning to
mini-creeks. Went back to lower lot the same way. |
|
28 |
9/6/2003 |
Saturday |
10:00 |
14:00 |
LuAnn, Katie, Brittany |
Dragons Tooth |
4.00 |
| Awesome hike
to Dragon's Tooth. Took blue-blazed trail from parking lot with steady
climb to the tooth. Towards end, many rocks and boulders to climb. |
|
29 |
9/8/2003 |
Monday |
07:10 |
08:50 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
| Nice short
hike today. From lower lot took Poverty Creek to Woody to Goat's Beard
to Prickly Pear to junction of Skullcap and back to lot via same path. Saw two deer. |
|
30 |
9/9/2003 |
Tuesday |
11:00 |
13:00 |
Bess |
Dismal Falls |
1.50 |
| Not much of a
hiking day. Went to Dismal Falls, after some difficulty finding it.
After taking pictures, followed a trail along the creek to a mini
Dismal Falls. Startled a Great Blue Heron there. After the falls, went
to the AT to get Mom on the trail. Hiked about .5 miles and then came
back. |
|
31 |
9/10/2003 |
Wednesday |
08:20 |
10:00 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
| Took Poverty
Creek to Joe Pye to Horse Nettle to Teasel, trying to find trail LuAnn
and I took on our second outing together. Was not the same trail. This
was steep and eventually intersected with Goat's Beard that terminates
into Joe Pye. Possibly this second trail was the one I was looking
for. |
|
32 |
9/11/2003 |
Thursday |
07:15 |
09:45 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
| Revisited
Stinging Nettle from Joe Pye. This was the trail LuAnn and I took back
on 7/8/03. EXTREMELY steep at the end and an intense workout! Probably
is best left to travel downhill only. We continued our hike via Horse
Nettle and Snake Root. |
|
33 |
9/12/2003 |
Friday |
07:15 |
08:30 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
2.50 |
|
Short hike today... From upper parking lot, took Horse Nettle to Lady
Slipper to Larkspur. Then around the Pond, across the nature bridge,
and back to the lot via Horse Nettle. |
|
34 |
9/15/2003 |
Monday |
07:50 |
09:10 |
Bess, Jody |
Pandapas Pond |
2.50 |
| LuAnn and I
had driven the two forest roads associated with Pandapas Pond the day
before. I suggested to Jody that she drive to the start of Trillium
for a short hike, which we did. Went a few hundred feet on Skullcap
also but decided to return to the car. |
|
35 |
9/16/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:20 |
09:30 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
| We were
burning the trails up this morning... six miles in just over two
hours! Decided to take a portion of Queen Anne that we had never
walked, then took FS Rd 269 to the other start of Queen Anne.
Saw seven deer during the course of our hike. |
|
36 |
9/20/2003 |
Saturday |
10:20 |
16:00 |
LuAnn, Katie, Brittany |
Peters Mountain Wilderness |
9.00 |
Huckleberry or
Flat Peter Loop (North Fork, Dixon Branch, Dismal Branch, & Kelly
Flats trails).
Ambitious six hour hike with the girls, beginning with an excellent
breakfast at Joe's Diner in Blacksburg! Had a bit of difficulty
getting started because the trails are not well marked. This problem
continued throughout the hike, primarily due to faded blazes and
indistinct trails. An awesome hike though with multiple stream
crossings, many of which required some ingenuity to get across. Even
so, wet feet prevailed. Didn't see much wildlife... a caterpillar and
a deer (LuAnn saw). Did see some deer and bear scats. Began our trek
with the North Fork trail and followed the loop to conclusion. As
advertised, the most difficult portion of the trip was along the
Dismal Branch trail, with portions completely obscured or missing.
Also had a major blow down on the first leg of our trip with forced us
to bushwhack. Also took a wrong turn during the Kelly Flats leg and
followed a road that led to a meadow... and nowhere. |
|
37 |
9/23/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:20 |
09:50 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.50 |
| Parked at
lower lot and took Pandapas Pond trail to Horse Nettle to Snake Root,
to Poverty Creek and back to lot. |
|
38 |
9/25/2003 |
Thursday |
07:25 |
10:15 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| Basically same
route as 9/4/03 hike. Saw several toads but nothing else of note. |
|
39 |
9/27/2003 |
Saturday |
10:45 |
14:15 |
Bess, Judy, Jody, Wayne |
The Cascades |
5.50 |
| Trip to
Cascades with our Michigan visitor, Judy Bodjack, and Mom, Jody, and
Wayne. All had never been to the Falls. Initially took lower trail
along Little Stony Creek to Lower Falls. Judy and I booked and arrived
at the Falls about 20 minutes before the rest. Lots of photo ops.
After everyone made it to the Lower Falls, Judy, Mom, and I took off
for the Upper Falls, about 3/4 mile further up the creek. As with the
trip here with LuAnn, we had to carefully navigate along the creek to
a good spot to view the Falls. Returned to the Lower Falls and
everyone took the upper trail back to the parking lot. I did the last
mile in 15 minutes, 4 mph! Had lunch at "Tickle's" after the hike. |
|
40 |
9/29/2003 |
Monday |
08:30 |
10:20 |
Bess, Judy |
Pandapas Pond |
5.50 |
| Mom and I took
Judy for a hike at Pandapas. Lower lot to the Pond trail to Larkspur
to Joe Pye to Horse Nettle to Stonecrop to Snake Root to Poverty
Creek. Made a short detour up Woody to show Judy where Dad's ashes
were scattered. |
|
41 |
9/30/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:20 |
09:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
| Quick hike
this morning because taking Judy to Blue Ridge Parkway. Lower lot to
Woody to FS Rd 269 to Prickly Pear to Goat's Beard to Woody to lot. |
|
42 |
10/2/2003 |
Thursday |
07:30 |
09:20 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
| Another quick
hike prior to trip to McAfee's Knob. Poverty Creek to Snake Root to
Horse Nettle, then down Teasel and Stinging Nettle to Joe Pye and back
to lower lot. |
|
43 |
10/2/2003 |
Thursday |
11:00 |
14:30 |
LuAnn, Bess, Judy |
McAfee's Knob |
8.00 |
| LuAnn and I
took Mom and Judy to McAfee's Knob for Judy's last hike. Took forest
road this time to AT to the Knob. Saw and photographed a raccoon in a
tree. Had lunch on the Knob and took photos. Beautiful day... very
sunny with cool clouds. |
|
44 |
10/4/2003 |
Saturday |
08:10 |
09:50 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
| Took Pandapas
Pond to Horse Nettle to new trail that LuAnn had been on in the past,
off Horse Nettle near FS Rd 188-2. Took the trail to where it ended at
a power line easement, then took easement almost to US 460 and
bushwhacked across forest to upper parking lot. Took Poverty Creek
from lot to the Pond and lower lot. |
|
45 |
10/5/2003 |
Sunday |
15:00 |
16:00 |
Alone |
Roaring Run |
2.00 |
| Short hike
along Roaring Run Creek to very nice Falls of the same name. Located
NW of Roanoke just off SR621 (take US220 North to SR615 at Bessemer to
SR621). Look for USFS sign "Roaring Run Furnace." Many picture
opportunities. Easy hike on maintained trail. Well worth a visit! |
|
46 |
10/7/2003 |
Tuesday |
08:30 |
10:00 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
3.00 |
| Tried to find
new trail then went to Craig Creek road to try to find Powerline
trail. No luck with either so went to the Pond. Took Poverty Creek to
Joe Pye and found new trail that paralleled Joe Pye, eventually
rejoining Pye near Larkspur. Continued on Joe Pye to Horse Nettle to
Pandapas Pond to lower lot. |
|
47 |
10/8/2003 |
Wednesday |
07:30 |
10:50 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
7.50 |
| Finally
learned exactly where the new trail was (officially named Gateway, but
previously known as Old Farm). Took it to Horse Nettle to
the other new trail that LuAnn showed me Saturday. Returned via the
same route. Got GPS tracks of new trails and connector trail between
Snake Root and Jacob's Ladder. |
|
48 |
10/13/2003 |
Monday |
09:30 |
12:50 |
LuAnn |
Mountain Lake
Wilderness |
8.00 |
| New trail
adventure for LuAnn and I. Took War Spur trail to overlook, then
continued on War Spur to AT then Potts Mountain trail to a rock
outcropping and then to Wind Rock, another overlook. All overlooks had
fantastic views, with fall foliage near peak. Started to return to car
via VA613 and decided to hitchhike instead due to time constraints,
i.e. we wanted to have lunch at Mountain Lake Lodge. Picked up by
older gentleman in pickup and made it back on time. AT portion of hike
was EXTREMELY steep and long to summit of Potts Mountain... definitely
strenuous! |
|
49 |
10/20/2003 |
Monday |
12:30 |
18:30 |
LuAnn |
Peru - Inca Trail |
7.00 |
Kilometer 82
(9,000 ft) to Wayllabamba (9,840 ft) - Transportation from Cusco was a small
tourist minibus that seated about 20 people. It was around 10:00 AM
before we were on our way. The trip to Kilometer 82 took about two hours, with a brief stop at Chilca to
visit the market. After
arriving at the trailhead, we put on our packs then checked in to sign the entry log and show them our "admission
ticket." Next, we had to show our passports at the entry point of a
small footbridge over the Urumbamba River.
Crossing, our trek had begun! The Trail follows along the left bank of
the Urubamba gorge (river on our right) for several hours, with views
across the river of terraced farmland, snow-capped mountains, a
glacial valley, and a small, inhabited Inca ruin. Before reaching our first ruins at Llactapata we stopped for lunch at a campsite with several adobe
homes in the vicinity. Shortly after lunch we arrived at Llactapata
(7,550 feet above sea level). We stayed on the Trail and did not
descend into the ruins themselves. From there the Trail turns
south, away from the Urubamba and up the valley of the Río Cusichacha,
about four miles to its junction with the Río Llullucha, where the
Trail turns west and follows the Llullucha. Just above the junction of
the two streams is the small village of Wayllabamba ("Place of Good
Pasture," the only inhabited village on the Inca Trail). This is where
we spent our first night, reaching it at about sunset, around 6:30 PM.
The porters had already set up our tents and we had tea and dinner
under a thatched roof, open sided structure.
Click HERE for more about our trek
on the Inca Trail. |
|
50 |
10/21/2003 |
Tuesday |
08:00 |
18:00 |
LuAnn |
Peru - Inca Trail |
7.00 |
Wayllabamba
(9,840 ft) to Pacaymayu (10,991 ft) - We woke up early and had a quick
breakfast. We were now at 9,840 feet elevation and we had to climb
over the first and highest of the mountain passes between Llactapata
and Machu Picchu. At Warmihuañusca, or more popularly known as "Dead
Woman Pass," the Trail reaches an elevation of 13,772 feet. From
our campsite, the Trail winds steeply along the
south side of the river towards this first pass, cutting through dense
vegetation until reaching Llulluchapampa ("Place of Offerings"), a
large pampa just below the first pass where we are to have lunch.
Today's trek WAS very difficult for LuAnn and I. We were certainly
physically in shape for the journey but the high altitude was taking
it's toll and starting to impact our breathing and the speed at which
we could hike. With the extremely steep grades that we had to travel,
we ended up pacing ourselves by walking about 50 yards and resting for
a minute. By the time we reached the pampa for lunch we were thankful
for the break! Llulluchapampa overlooks an open meadow where llama and
sheep were grazing. Tall mountain peaks surrounded us and we could see the Trail struggling
up the mountainside towards Warmihuañusca pass. We knew it was going
to be a heart-pounder! After lunch, the going continued to be very difficult for us
and we let the rest of our group go on ahead. We made it to the top of
the pass early in the afternoon. It was very
windy and cold, with sleet and drizzle falling. Because of the poor
visibility, the magnificent views were obscured in clouds. From the
pass, it would be a steep downhill all the way to our campsite for the
evening at Pacaymayu, along the Pacamayo River. Going down took less effort and we made better
time, but it is very
hard on the knees and you always have to pay close attention to where
you place your feet or face the consequences. At
this point the Trail was composed of thousands of stones. Darkness was
beginning to set in by the time we made it to our camp. LuAnn was not
feeling well and decided to skip tea time and dinner. For the rest of
us, after dinner it was another early night to sleep.
Click HERE for more about our trek
on the Inca Trail. |
|
51 |
10/22/2003 |
Wednesday |
07:00 |
19:30 |
LuAnn |
Peru - Inca Trail |
10.00 |
Pacaymayu
(10,991 ft) to Wiñayhuayna (8,366 ft) - We had another early breakfast
and broke camp. LuAnn was still ill, but got herself ready and
actually started out before the rest of us! We were going to hike ten
miles today, the most one-day distance of our trek. From our camp, the Trail climbs steeply up the opposite side of the
valley wall, towards the second pass. Though not as high as
Warmihuañusca, Runcurakay Pass tops off at 12,631 feet and there would
be a third pass to traverse as well. I
caught up to LuAnn in about fifteen minutes, and we returned to the pace
we used the day before and slowly made our way up the steep trail.
About halfway up is a circular, walled Inca ruin known as Runkuracay
("Pile of Ruins") and sits at 12,139 feet elevation. Beyond, the Trail continues to climb towards the pass of the same name.
Enroute we traveled by a small alpine lake (really a pond), and just a
short time later reached the pass. The temps were warmer than the day
before and it was clearer allowing us to enjoy the spectacular view on
all sides. On the other side of the pass, the Trail descends towards a
valley containing another shallow lake, bigger than the one we had
passed earlier. At around this point, the Trail changes from a dirt
path to a narrow stone roadway, the beginning of the true Inca Trail, as
the stones of the roadway were laid by the Quechua people of the
period of the Inca Empire. From here, the Trail leads to a second,
larger Inca ruin, Sayacmarca ("Town in a Steep Place"). This complex
lies at 11,811 feet above sea level and was about three miles from the
Runcurakay ruins. Our group had already climbed the narrow stairway
and were exploring the ruins, but we had
had enough of stair climbing and decided to wait for them outside
the ruin. About a half hour past Sayacmarca, at a place called
Ponchamarca, we stopped for lunch. From here, much of the Trail shows
superb engineering, built into the steep hillside on top of Inca
stonework. After passing through some of the wildest rugged
scenery imaginable and over the third pass (11,975 ft), we looked
directly down on to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca ("Cloud-level Town").
The ruins are reached by descending - what else - a long flight of
stairs. Leaving Phuyupatamarca the Inca Trail descends an unbelievably
long series of winding steps, literally thousands and thousands, with
many cut into the living rock, eventually reaching Intipata, another
ruin. It was starting to get dark as we continued on the Trail,
finally reaching our camp at the Wisayhuayna Visitors Center around 7:30 PM.
Click HERE for more about our trek
on the Inca Trail. |
|
52 |
10/23/2003 |
Thursday |
05:00 |
07:30 |
LuAnn |
Peru - Inca Trail |
4.00 |
Wiñayhuayna
(8,366 ft) to Macchu Picchu (7,874 ft) - Breakfast at 4:30 AM (ugh!),
and ready for the Trail at 5:00 AM. All of us were given a "box" lunch
and then started out for the final destination of our trek. From Wiñayhuayna,
our hike took us through shifting panoramas: It was
fantastic, incomparable! After no more than two hours, we reached a
narrow flight of stone steps leading upwards into a small stone
structure with a grass floor. This is Intipunku, Gateway of the Sun or
Sun Gate, and through the rectangular doorway just moments after
sunrise, we had our first, unforgettable view of Machu Picchu... the
mysterious gray stone city mounted like a gem in a setting of cliffs
and canyons. Intipunku is called the Gateway to the Sun, because it is
located in a notch on a ridgeline, which allows the first morning
light to stream into Machu Picchu. We spent about twenty minutes
looking down at Machu Picchu and taking scores of pictures. It was
breathtaking! Finally, we started down
a broad, flagstone paved trail - the view improving at every turn - a
trip of about 30 minutes to reach the Watchman's Hut in the upper part
of Machu Picchu. Soon after, we made our way to the main entrance. We had
done the Inca Trail!
Click HERE for more about our trek
on the Inca Trail. |
|
53 |
11/3/2003 |
Monday |
07:50 |
09:50 |
Bess, Jody |
Pandapas Pond |
3.50 |
| Took
Gateway from parking lot on Meadowbrook Drive to Horse Nettle. Nice
return from Peru hike with Mother and Jody. Returned to lot the same
way back. |
|
54 |
11/7/2003 |
Friday |
07:40 |
11:10 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
9.50 |
| Took Woody to
Goat's Beard to Prickly Pear to Skullcap. Went to end of Skullcap (at
Queen Anne) and did the GPS thing for Skullcap. Then took FS Rd 269
to Poverty Creek by Trillium and hiked just past Indian Pipe (never
been on this part of Poverty Creek trail). Timing was a consideration
and I decided to turn back and take Indian Pipe, also new trail to me.
Then took the forest road all the way back to Queen Anne and GPSed that as
well. Now only have entirety of Poverty Creek trail to GPS. When done
with Queen Anne, crossed over to Poverty Creek trail and took back to
the Pond and parking lot. Not bad averaging about three mph. Also saw
five deer. |
|
55 |
11/11/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:30 |
10:30 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
|
Took Poverty Creek to Joe Pye to Horse Nettle to Teasel to Stinging
Nettle to Joe Pye to Poverty Creek and around Pandapas Pond to parking
lot. |
|
56 |
11/16/2003 |
Sunday |
07:30 |
10:30 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
9.50 |
|
Drove car to Trillium trailhead off FS Rd 269. Hiked the remaining
portion of Poverty Creek trail to the forest road. Returned on trail to
Indian Pipe, taking that to the forest road and to the car. Saw 5 deer.
This hike completed me hiking on all trails at Pandapas Pond: Indian
Pipe and last portion of Poverty Creek trail! |
|
57 |
11/18/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:40 |
11:10 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
|
From lower lot took Poverty Creek to Woody to Goat's Beard to
Skullcap, exiting on FS Rd 269. Took Poverty Creek trail back to
parking lot. |
|
58 |
11/21/2003 |
Friday |
07:40 |
11:10 |
Alone |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
|
From upper parking lot, took Horse Nettle to Stone Crop to Snake Root
to Poverty Creek to Pandapas Pond to Horse Nettle and the lot. |
|
59 |
11/22/2003 |
Saturday |
11:20 |
12:10 |
LuAnn |
Brush Mountain |
1.00 |
|
Short bushwhack to stake out route of connector trail to Gateway from LuAnn's house. Named Pogo's Path by LuAnn's daughter
Katie after their cat, Pogo. |
|
60 |
11/23/2003 |
Sunday |
08:30 |
11:45 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
9.50 |
|
Basically same hike as last Sunday (11/16). Drove car to Trillium
trailhead off FS Rd 269. Hiked the remaining portion of Poverty
Creek trail to the forest road. Returned on trail to Indian Pipe, taking
that to the forest road and to the car. Saw 5 deer. This hike completed
LuAnn's hiking on all trails at Pandapas Pond! |
|
61 |
11/24/2003 |
Monday |
07:45 |
10:45 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
8.00 |
|
Joe Pye (and parallel trail) to Horse Nettle to Jeep Trail to Beauty to
FS Rd 269
to Poverty Creek. Weather mostly cloudy, then darkening and light
rain. At end of Beauty started to rain harder. |
|
62 |
11/25/2003 |
Tuesday |
07:30 |
09:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
|
Woody to Goat's Beard to Prickly Pear to intersection with Skullcap
and back. |
|
63 |
11/27/2003 |
Thursday |
08:30 |
10:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
4.00 |
|
Quick Thanksgiving Day hike... and I was late on top of it. Drove to
Trillium trailhead and hiked Poverty Creek to Indian Pipe to FS Rd 269 and the cars. |
|
64 |
11/30/2003 |
Sunday |
07:30 |
11:15 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
8.00 |
|
Bushwhacked Pogo's Path to Gateway to Jacob's Ladder to Poverty
Creek to Snake Root and back via Gateway, etc. Saw three deer on
Poverty Creek trail. Weather clear and cold, upper 20s. |
|
65 |
12/04/2003 |
Thursday |
08:10 |
10:10 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.00 |
|
Our first really snowy hike this year... temps in upper 20s with snow
falling steadily. From the lower lot, hiked around the Pond to Lady
Slipper to Horse Nettle to Deerberry. At the end of Deerberry took
FS Rd 188-2 to Teasel, where we saw a Golden Crowned Sparrow - a new
bird for me on my "life list". This is a somewhat rare bird in the
East... considered accidental or casual as it's typical range is out
West. From Teasel we took Stinging Nettle to Joe Pye to Poverty Creek
and back to the parking lot. |
|
66 |
12/11/2003 |
Thursday |
08:10 |
12:25 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
12.50 |
|
A day for the record books... We had never hiked Poverty Creek trail
in its entirety and today was the day! It is also significant in that
we now have a digital voice recorder to facilitate more accurate and
comprehensive hiking journal entries. Starting from the trailhead at
the upper parking lot, we began the first 7.2 mile leg of our trek.
The weather: mostly cloudy and about 30 degrees, with the possibility
of drizzle/freezing drizzle and snow flurries. Poverty Creek trail
follows along Poverty Creek for the first three quarters of it's
length. Towards the end of this section of trail there are several
creek crossings. In general, the first section of trail is an easy
hike with many minor ascents and descents. The path is rocky in places
and travels through various terrain including fields, forest, and pine
forest, and a few Rhododendron "tunnels." The trail is well-marked
throughout, with orange blazes. After crossing FS Rd 269 near
Trillium, the last section of trail becomes a bit more strenuous, with
larger and steeper elevation changes. Trail conditions today are
variable, with areas of snow and standing water. It's interesting to
note that Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel leaves remain on the plants
during the winter. After passing Beauty trail about 50 minutes into
the hike, we came upon our first creek crossing. Unfortunately (and as
we expected) the water level was extremely high due to an inch and a
half of rain that had fallen earlier in the week. This made a dry boot
crossing impossible and we decided to abandon the trail at this point
and take the forest road, rejoining it near Trillium. As already
mentioned, the last section of trail is more difficult but arguably
more scenic. The clouds were beginning to give way to more sunshine,
though we started to run into some snow flurries. The wind picked up
also and was becoming gusty. At 10:27, two hours and 17 minutes into
our hike, I stepped out on to FS Rd 269 at the end of Poverty
Creek trail. According to the GPS, the trek was 6.5 miles, although we
were not able to follow the trail completely. Our speed was about
three mph, which was excellent! The National Geographic map says that
Poverty Creek trail is 7.2 miles long but I suspect it's really more
like 6.8 miles, and most certainly longer than the 5.6 mile length the USFS claims. After basking in the glory of our accomplishment, we
decided to return via the forest road, rejoining the trail where it
links to the road between Jacob's Ladder and Snake Root. We arrived
back at the parking lot at 12:25 PM, four hours and 15 minutes. |
|
67 |
12/15/2003 |
Monday |
08:40 |
11:00 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
6.00 |
|
Weather conditions: Beautiful day, partly cloudy and about 30 degrees.
From the lower lot took Poverty Creek to Woody to Goat's Beard to
Prickly Pear to Skullcap, following it to its end at FS Rd 269.
We arrived at 10:00 AM, a journey of one hour and 20 minutes. Along
the way we spotted what we think were two sets of bear tracks, the
first sign of a bear during all of the months we've been hiking in the
Pandapas trail system. Bears have been seen in the area, as attested
by mountain biker Patty when we met back on July 24th of this year.
Returned to lot via the forest road, joining up with Poverty Creek
trail where it links to the road between Jacob's Ladder and Snake
Root. We arrived back at the lot at 11:00 AM, an hour from the end of
Skullcap. Saw a single deer as I drove out of the lower lot. |
|
68 |
12/16/2003 |
Tuesday |
08:10 |
10:10 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
5.00 |
|
Saw three deer - yearlings I think - near the lower lot as I drove in.
Today's hike... Around the Pond to Lady Slipper, Horse Nettle,
Stonecrop, Snake Root, and Poverty Creek back to the lot. Saw another
three deer along Lady Slipper. Weather conditions today: overcast with
temps in low 20s. |
|
69 |
12/18/2003 |
Thursday |
08:20 |
10:15 |
LuAnn |
Pandapas Pond |
3.00 |
|
Drove to Trillium via FS Rd 269. Took Poverty Creek to Indian
Pipe to check out new trail on other side of the Pipe, thinking it may
lead to the clear cut area with a vista towards Brush Mountain that
we've been told about. Turns out this trail peters out to an area
where there used to be a cabin, remnants of an old chimney could be
seen. We decided to go back along Poverty Creek towards where we
parked to check out another trail we've not been on before...
apparently an old forest road. On the way we came upon yet another
trail we'd not traveled, which subsequently led to the other trail we
were heading for. The new trail (which we've dubbed Buttercup) dead
ends at a clearing about 0.6 miles from Poverty Creek trail. There is
no vista at the clearing but the trail i |
