Kurt's Hikes: Dec. 15, 2013
The old black Chevrolet was allegedly found along the wide trail in the '60s and pushed down the hill to where it has rested and rusted ever since.
We've walked the trails of Mill Mountain many times, but never before taken the little sidetrip down into upper South Roanoke via the Riser and Big Sunny trails, the latter of which delivered us to the driveway of Steve Beyer, new president at Blue Ridge Country's parent company, LeisureMedia360.
That new stretch not only took us past the famed, mysterious black 53 Chevy along the Riser Trail, but also the southern end of the Big Sunny, which meets Robin Hood Road, where Steve and his daughter were about to head out in the car when two strangely garbed hikers with hiking sticks walked into the driveway.
Brief greetings exchanged, The Day Hiker and I headed back up the trail to the top of the mountain, where – when the sun was out – it was pretty nice. The sun wasn't out much, however.
The trails of Mill Mountain, as so many area walkers and bikers know, are a really nifty in-city resource, and perfect for a rushed cold day when you gotta get your hike in.
Mill Mountain Trails (Star, Woodthrush, Ridgeline, Riser, Big Sunny, Mill Mountain Greenway, Watchtower, Star loop); about 5.5 miles
How to get there: Riverland Road to small parking lot at the base of the Star Trail (or many other entry points all over the mountain).