Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

Left: A companion joins Gail at lunch. Right: A hot, hazy view from Tinker Cliffs southward into the Catwaba Valley, with McAfee Knob at left.

Bike/Hike via the Back Door to Tinker Cliffs

We've arrived at Tinker Cliffs pretty much every way you can, save maybe this one.
Left: Aden comes off the rocks as Matthew looks on. Right: Matthew heads for the water.

Swimmin’ Hole!

The two oldest grandsons – both to turn 9 in the fall – have lost a little in the way of hiking enthusiasm from when we first took them out, way back when they were like 6.
The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All at the point where the Potomac River gets all squeezed and tumbly before it flattens out, calms down and gets real wide.

The “Best Hike in Great Falls Park”

As a part of 4 days of lots of fun and walking on a trip that based us in Old Town Alexandria, the one real hike hike was along these trails near the Potomac River where it gets scrunched up by big rocks and has to tumble over them through a gorge.
Camera battery failed on this hike, but here's a shot of McAfee Knob on a different day.

Day of the Magic Shoes

When all else fails (we again couldn't find the trailhead to go up Fort Lewis Mountain), we seem to end up goin' on up to McAfee Knob. After all, where is there a prettier view around Roanoke?
Gail, comfortable on the picnic table at tucked-away Boblett's Gap Shelter.

First Visit to Boblett’s Gap Shelter

The Appalachian Trail guidebook talks about some sections of the trail having run "right down the middle" of the roadway that came along a few years after the trail was built to either cover it up or push it aside in this section.

Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS