Apple Orchard Falls, Jefferson National Forest, VA

ABOUT THE PARK:  Apple Orchard Falls - US Forest Service

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.5296,-79.553

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TRAIL MAP:  Apple Orchard Falls and Cornelius Creek Trails Brochure - US Forest Service

HIKE DISTANCE:  5.6 miles

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
Since I prefer to ascend more steeply and descend less steeply, I took the steeper Apple Orchard Falls trail up.  On this particular day, it was not raining at the beginning of the hike but the higher I climbed, the harder it rained.  Turned out to be a very nice hike anyway.

Where there are two bridges to the left, take the second bridge.

Watch your step!

Apple Orchard Falls

Wooden steps after Apple Orchard Falls

View from a bench almost at the top of the wooden steps - even nice on a rainy day.

The top of the falls.

The Cornelius Creek Trail descends back to the parking lot and is just a plain old trail through the woods in the beginning but once it meets up with the creek you'll be following the creek and rock hopping across several times making this a very pleasant and scenic part of the hike.  Unfortunately, my camera got damp from the drizzle and would not take any more pictures until it had dried out at the end of the hike so I don't have any pictures from the best part of the trail.

 
HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  From parking lot take the Apple Orchard Falls Trail to left of information board
[  0.20]  Right at fork
[  1.15]  At second bridge turn left and cross bridge
[  1.45]  Trail sign pointing in opposite direction, ignore and continue straight ahead
[  1.70]  Cross two consecutive bridges
[  1.80]  Bridges and decking at Apple Orchard Falls; ascend wooden steps after falls; view at bench
[  2.15]  Bridge at top of falls
[  2.50]  At intersection turn right on woods road, Apple Orchard Falls Road
[  3.50]  At intersection keep straight on Cornelius Creek Trail, a footpath leaving the woods road
[  4.10]  Cross Cornelius Creek; trail becomes very scenic with multiple rock hops across creek
[  4.60]  Cross creek then cross bridge
[  5.65]  Back at parking lot

Holliday Lake State Park, Appomattox, VA

ABOUT THE PARK: 
Holliday Lake State Park - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.399858, -78.641189

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After paying the park fee ($2 on week days, $3 on weekends) continue straight ahead towards the lake.  The road loops around with parking in multiple places along the loop.

TRAIL MAP: Holliday Lake State Park Trail Guide

HIKE DISTANCE:  Although the park sign and map indicate the loop is 6.3 miles, I measured it at 5.2 miles.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
The trailhead is just to the left of Picnic Shelter #1, which is to the left of the swimming beach.

This is a lovely hike, mostly around the lake, following the blue-blazed Lakeshore Trail the entire way.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Begin on blue Lakeshore Trail trailhead to left of Picnic Shelter 1
[  0.35]  Overlook deck with picnic table
[  0.50]  At intersection keep right, left goes to campground
[  0.75]  Overlook pier to right; retrace and continue on trail
[  0.90]  Power cut; follow blue Lakeshore Trail signs
[  1.20]  Turn right, cross bridge, turn right
[  1.55]  Overlook pier to right
[  1.80]  Keep straight when woods road comes in from left
[  1.90]  Cross long bridge
[  2.20]  Take left fork to overlook
[  2.25]  Picnic table at overlook; continue on trail in same direction, trail merges back with Lakeshore Trail
[  2.80]  Descend long sets of steps and cross over dam
[  2.85]  Take left fork, right goes to picnic table
[  3.20]  Power cut
[  3.25]  Keep straight across bridge when old overgrown trail goes left
[  3.50]  Trail veers right at fork, access prohibited at left fork
[  3.85]  Cross paved road at 4H Center and ascend steps
[  4.80]  Cross bridge at picnic table
[  4.90]  Keep right on trail when orange trail to left goes to campground
[  5.20]  Back at parking lot

BONUS:
If you are heading south on Route 24 afterwards, you can stop for some farm fresh eggs from happy, happy chickens that flap their wings and run around wherever they please - you can't buy eggs like that in stores.

Directions for eggs:

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Sharp Top Mountain, Peaks of Otter, Blue Ridge Parkway, VA

ABOUT THE PARK:
Peaks of Otter - National Park Service

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.443440, -79.609195

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Sharp Top Parking Lot

TRAIL MAP:  Peaks of Otter - National Park Service

HIKE DISTANCE:  3 miles
There are other trails accessible from this parking lot (see map) to make longer hikes and my intention was to hike both Sharp Top and Flat Top together.  Due to the drizzly and foggy conditions at the higher elevation, I saved Flat Top for a clearer day.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:
The Sharp Top Trail starts to the left of the building at the back of the parking lot.

Early on the trail crosses a paved road which is only for the bus which shuttles people to the top.

On this particular day, although the weather was nice driving to this area, Sharp Top was in a cloud and the fog became thicker as I ascended.

Buzzard's Roost supposedly has spectacular views but I did not bother taking that trail since I was pretty sure I heard the "thud, thud, thud" of a bear taking off in that direction and I was sure there would be no views in the fog.

At the summit...

These are the views I saw from the very top:

Click here to see what the views would look like on a clear day.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take the Sharp Top Trail up the steps to the left of building at the end of parking lot
[         ]  Buzzard's Roost Trail intersection (forgot to mark mileage)
[  1.40]  Keep left when bus shelter trail goes right
[  1.45]  Keep right at fork
[  1.50]  Summit of Sharp Top; retrace steps
[  3.00]  Arrive back at parking lot

Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area, George Washington National Forest, VA - Cold/Cole Mountain Loop

ABOUT THE PARK:
Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area - USDA
Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area Hiking Trails - USDA

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 37.759545, -79.190515

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 You can either park at the lot above or the Appalachian Trail lot you pass on the way:

The only difference is a .30 mile gravel road walk at the beginning or at the end of the hike because the hike starts at the far parking lot and ends at the A.T. parking lot.  For this hike I parked in the A.T. lot and did the gravel road walk at the beginning.

TRAIL MAP:
National Geographic Map #789 Lexington/Blue Ridge Mountains Trail Map

HIKE DISTANCE:  5.80 miles
This hike can be done in conjunction with the Mount Pleasant Loop for a 12 mile hike.

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

The trail takes you through beautiful pine forests.

According to "Wild Virginia" this is a Civil War-era stone fence.

Cowcamp Gap Shelter

The Hotel Trail ends at the white-blazed Appalachian Trail shortly after the Cowcamp Gap Shelter.  The Appalachian Trail switchbacks up with views along the way

There were some nice break spots at the views:

Then at the top of Cold Mountain, come to a bald stretch of about 1/2 mile with views all around.  The pictures to not do it justice.  You have to be there to see how spectacular it really is.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[ 0.00]  From A.T. parking lot continue walking along gravel road
[ 0.20]  Right on blue-blazed trail leaving gravel road
[ 0.30]  Turn right at the intersection on the Hotel Trail and cross the horse fence.
[ 1.15]  Turn right at fork
[ 1.40]  Trail continues to the right on the right side of the fire pit
[ 2.15]  At clearing bear right at the fork
[ 2.75]  Rock hop over creek
[ 2.85]  Cowcamp Gap shelter on right; left at intersection towards Appalachian Trail
[ 3.35]  Turn right on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail; trail switchbacks up with views
[ 4.40]  Begin to cross bald
[ 4.95]  Leaving bald
[ 5.15]  AT leave woods road as footpath to the left
[ 5.50]  Cross over woods road
[ 5.80]  Right on gravel road to parking