A pretty eclectic bunch making this walk: the semi-geezer couple that’s out there every weekend, a five-and-a-half year-old, two 10-year-olds (one was first to the top and first back down; the other ambled amiably), one pregnant-lady wife and another wife who’d been told she was heading out on an “easy” hike; and four of the five semi-geezer couple sons. Plus a buddy of one son and three dogs.
You’d think we might have stretched out over a mile with the variance in ages and inclinations, but things stayed pretty much within hollerin’ distance both up the 1,300 feet in elevation gain to the shelter, as well as on the descent.
At the shelter, there was good lunch, tree climbing, shelter roof climbing, cistern inspection and general movin’ around–all pretty good proof that nobody got too worn out.
And we cleared the picnic table just in time for a thru-hiker to come in and have some privacy instead of a group of a dozen or so to deal with.
Appalachian Trail from U.S.11 in Troutville north to Fullhart Knob Shelter and back. 7.8 miles
How to get there: U.S. 11 just south of Troutville; small parking area on northbound side of 11.
