Thunder Ridge / James River Face Wilderness Backpack, JNF/GWNF, VA

Photos by Michael Juskelis, 2008/04/19-21.

Day 1

Our starting point at the Apple Orchard Falls Overlook. Bad weather is moving in.

Saki perched in one of the "Apple Trees" on Apple Orchard Mountain. They are actually dwarfed White Oaks.

Stacey and Barb complete the 864 foot climb to the top of Apple Orchard Mt. That's an old USAF/FAA radar facility behind them.

Catherine and Saki descend from Apple Orchard Mountain.

Passing through the Guillotine.

A view from the Thunder Ridge Overlook. The mass of white rocks is the Devil's Marbleyard. The Belfast trail follows the edge of it.

A closer view of the Devil's Marbleyard as we descend to Petites Gap.

Day 2

Our first view of the James River as we descend from the top of the Wilderness.

Setting things out to dry during a long lunch break at Matts Creek Shelter.

Matts Creek.

Approaching the 625 foot James River Foot Bridge.

A memorial to Bill Foot who procured the old railroad piers and launched the project to build this 1.5 million dollar bridge.

The James River Foot Bridge. In the distance are tomorrow's challenges, starting with Little Rocky Row in the center, followed by Big Rocky Row to the right.

The crew crossing the bridge en mass.

Picturesque Rocky Row Run.

We finally had a fire on the second night (before the skies opened up again!).

Day 3

A view from Little Rocky Row.

Big Rocky Row, our next climb, as seen from Little Rocky Row.

View of the town of Glasgow, VA from Big Rocky Row.

The Little Ottie Memorial on the top of Bluff Mountain.

View from the top of Bluff Mountain.

Flora

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum).

The Halberd-leaved Violet (Viola hastata) is very distinctive with its single
yellow flower on top of a long stem and its large arrow shaped leaves.

Dwarf Iris (Iris verna) along Matts Creek.

Hiking along the James River cliffs was like walking in nature's own rock garden with:
... brilliant red Fire Pink (Silene virginica),

... Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis),

... and Wild Bleeding Heart (Dicentra eximia).

Also see Bryce's pictures.
Also see Saki's trip report.

Sierra Club Howard County Group: