Humpback Rocks.............

The leaves are changing so dramatically every single day. The temps are cooling off and the hiking trails are calling to us. So....we set out early one morning to go apple-picking before hitting the trails.

Colorful campground!

heading out to enjoy the day

Being that we are retired, and every day is Saturday, we totally forgot about Columbus Day and the fact that kids would be off from school. That was the day we decided to go apple picking! The weather was just gorgeous. However, once we arrived, there was not a parking spot to be had. And there were tons and tons of kids. So, we turned around and put that on the back burner for another day, and headed out to Shenandoah National Park.

Carter Mountain Orchards

oh my....the huge parking lot was full!

and more folks were coming up the mountain for apple picking

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a leaf peeper's delight. Still very early in the season, the trees were putting on quite the show. Lots of yellows and some red and orange as well. We decided to hike a very popular trail - Humpback Rocks. You can actually see the Humpback Rocks from the road. In the old days, the wagon trains used them as a landmark in their travels.

our new destination

the views are gorgeous-gently rolling mountains

lots of early fall color

We tried this trail last year (http://itsaboutthervjourney.blogspot.com/2014/04/hiking-in-blue-ridge-mountains.html), and the rocks up were just too slippery for us so we turned around. If we had known that we were almost at the top then, we would have continued. Hindsight! For more information on this trail, click here and here.

our hiking destination

there it is...as seen from the parking lot

a close up of our hiking destination

let's go back to the Visitor Center for lunch

 We were able to snag a parking space at the trailhead, but we wanted to eat our picnic lunch before heading out. The trail goes steeply up, and we decided it would be best to be fueled up before heading out. The Visitor Center was not too far away, and it was a nice walk through the small farmstead to get to the picnic area.

a great day for a picnic

the garden at the farmstead

looking out across the fields

walk this way

Actually, it was a good leg stretcher before doing the straight up steep climb to Humpback Rocks. Though only 0.8 miles, it is an arduous hike (for me). Right from the very beginning, the trail gains elevation quickly. We took frequent stops to catch my breath snap a photo of our beautiful surroundings.

ummm...it took us an hour  (though admittedly I'm the ball and chain-hahah)

the parking lot was full but we snagged a spot!

natural beauty

the elevation is fast and furious - see the parking lot below-

gorgeous

heading up

catching my breath

no photo enhancement...this is the real thing

great views

you know the trail is rigorous if Tom breaks a sweat and takes his hat off!

still going up

Before long, we approached the beginning of the rock scrambling. There were some stairs in some spots, but there were also many rocks, with lots of slippery mud, making the hike up slow and a little bit scary. The trail was quite crowded and everyone just took their time and enjoyed the challenge. I did not take too many pictures of that part of the trail...it was a little dangerous for me.  You can get the idea from the easy part that I was able to photograph.

heading for the rocks

not too bad here-it gets much much worse

still not too bad...very steep but at least its not slippery here

past the worst of the slippery rocks

just about there!

What was I thinking? I had no idea that the end of the trail would give a look out to the valley below so suddenly! Once at the end of the trail, we approached the outcroppings of the Humpback Rocks! There were a ton of other hikers hanging out and relaxing on this beautiful. Oh brave one was hunkered down at the very first rock....unable to climb to the very top and enjoy the view from there. I was very satisfied though! It was beautiful. Tom went the extra steps to the edge of the outcroppings - my hero!

The end of the trail....lets you out at the rocks! Didn't realize it would be so abrupt!!

A little scary for me! How do people do it?

the view was awesome

another little peek

view of the valley below

this is as close as I can manage

Tom joining the other hikers

Tom catching the view from the top (without the ball and chain)

heading back down from Humpback Rocks

We were not looking forward to traversing DOWN the steep slippery muddy rock section, so we decided to take the much longer route (2.9 miles) down the other side via the Appalachian Trail. It was a great decision. The trail had numerous switchbacks and meandered through the woods in all its glory. We shared the trail with just a few other hikers who were going up. Apparently, most people would rather tackle the steep climb up and down (0.8mi each way) rather than the more gentle, though much longer, hike along the Appalachian Trail.

going UP to the Appalachian Trail

much easier trail

following the white trail markers now

woah...look at that tree (cancer ?)

oh Hi! Yes, I'm still with you

meandering

lots of switchbacks, but very well marked

tree disease

I like the long way...

some color everywhere

had the trail mostly to ourselves the entire way

nice, huh?

enjoying all of the views

heading down through the mountain laurel

whew...working up a sweat!

definitely not nearly as steep as the way up

woodpecker

a nice flat straightaway

some adventure

still on the right trail

pretty

this wood was just gorgeous!

Tom used his mapping program to ensure we were going to end up at the parking lot and it  worked! We were very happy to see the sign for the correct parking lot. Technology!

oh good....we are in the right place!

lots of fallen trees on this section of the Appalachian trail...someone nicely cut through them!

crazy growth of that tree....wonder what made it angle like that

When we finished the hike, we drove just a bit further along the Blue Ridge Parkway to enjoy a few more views before heading back home. What a beautiful day!

mesmerizing view

soaring over the mountains

colors were striking no matter where we looked (surprising for so early in the season)

nice views

had the Blue Ridge to ourselves!

lovely road

The next day, we spent most of the day at Jack's. Then, back at the campground for dinner, we had a special guest visitor, and his parents, to our "home". It was Jack's first visit to Grandma's and Grandpa's! I guess I was too carried away with holding Jack that I totally forgot about taking pictures of him at his first outing to our place. Haha! We had a delicious meal and enjoyed the early fall evening and the gorgeous colors! Between the leaves and the cloudy dusk sky, it seemed all the colors of the rainbow were represented. We are enjoying the fall here in Virginia!

could not exactly capture the intensity of the colors  (sky vs treetops)

steak and peppers tonight....our guests are inside at the moment!