dang
Trail Ready!
Posts: 5 
|
Post by dang on Dec 30, 2016 3:58:15 GMT -8
Hello, Heading to Orlando this spring to visit my daughter. Will be driving from western NY (Rochester) trying to stay away from the I95 as much as possible, this means most the drive down I77 to Columbia SC. Looking for a place (park) to stop and go for a day hike in route. I have a 8-9 days to get there and back, will spend 3-4 days with daughter. Any way cool places -- went through Martinsville Va last year, seem to remember a hike to a really scenic overlook (cliff rock?) not far from there supposedly one of the most popular hike points. Willing to change my route a bit if needed. Willing to hike into a point set up camp for the night then hike out the next morning. Fairly open schedule will head down there Easter break. Any suggestions would be helpful. Oh by the way a bit of a Geology geek, so any major Geo must sees always a plus.
Thanks |
|
|
|
Post by rwtb123 on Dec 30, 2016 8:56:38 GMT -8
Well,I77 does pass near Bland,Va, as does the Appalachian Trail.I am not real familiar with that section other than by reading Trail Journals ,but it is in a remote, lightly populated area and would make a convenient dayhike/overnighter.
And,slightly off route near Marion,Va. is Mt Rogers NRA with the Grayson Highlands as a very scenic destination with the AT passing through,but likely to draw a crowd on Easter weekend if you are in the area of the more scenic vistas easily accessible by vehicle at the state park.
Then,just west of Roanoke you have the most interesting geology at the McAfee knob/Tinker Cliffs/Dragon's Tooth area ,which basically is the AT following a ridgeline ,at times, on a narrow path with steep cliffs ,with overlooks and the interesting Dragon's tooth formation.
|
|
null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
|
Post by null on Dec 30, 2016 10:30:27 GMT -8
Although it's only a few hours from Columbia, you can go to Table Rock State Park and day-hike to Table Rock. Great views without a huge investment of time.
|
|
ki0eh
Trail Wise!
Posts: 47
|
Post by ki0eh on Dec 30, 2016 14:29:33 GMT -8
|
|
dang
Trail Ready!
Posts: 5
|
Post by dang on Dec 30, 2016 17:44:21 GMT -8
Thanks for the ideas, Really like the McAfee Knob area. Will look closely at all and consider my timing. I am pulling a little scamp trailer I refurbished. I will have to find a place to park it (preferably a camp site) then head out on the trail. Like the idea of backpacking out mid day, tenting off the trail, then heading back to car next morning. Have all equip. needed, use to backpacking the Adk in NY. Thanks
|
|
tomas
Trail Wise!
Posts: 1,906
|
Post by tomas on Dec 31, 2016 8:12:52 GMT -8
From Rochester take 390S to Rt15 South and down into Maryland. It's the route I take when I drive up to Rochester and it's a beautiful drive. Plenty of places to stop and stretch your legs. You can easily spend a day at Gettysburg. You can easily hop onto a portion of the AT in MD and southern PA. In MD you can also stop at Catoctin NP where Camp David is located. Some pretty hiking in there.
|
|
|
|
Post by rwtb123 on Dec 31, 2016 12:41:35 GMT -8
Really like the McAfee Knob area That's probably what you were talking about originally, but I don't associate Martinsville with hiking,more hillbillies,nascar and moonshine(I can say that since my mother was from there). |
|
dang
Trail Ready!
Posts: 5
|
Post by dang on Jan 2, 2017 5:28:46 GMT -8
Yes,
Thanks, McAfee Knob was the area I was originally thinking about ~ 9 hrs from home. Found a great website explaining the area and trails. Will have to try and hit this on the way back from Florida and play it by ear (my main focus is spending time visiting my daughter). Hopefully hitting the trails on the way back will be in the cards, Thanks for all the help.  |
|
|
|
Post by rwtb123 on Jan 2, 2017 7:19:32 GMT -8
Be sure to check the mid-atlantic hikes website.Excellent resource for planning and logistics.The webmaster was a longtime participant here ,in fact, I helped him in planning many of his Va. hikes.
|
|
|
|
Post by jmitch on Jan 2, 2017 14:27:30 GMT -8
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is surprisingly nice with big rocks and waterfalls. Hocking hills in south central Ohio is also beautiful. Don't miss New River Gorge in WV.
|
|
walkswithblackflies
Trail Wise!
Resident terrorist-supporting eco-freak bootlicker
Posts: 6,934
|
Post by walkswithblackflies on Jan 3, 2017 13:14:07 GMT -8
Mendon Ponds! :D
|
|
