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Kurt’s Hikes

CURRENT Kurt’s Hikes

Mount Pleasant: Why It’s a National Scenic Area

The Mount Pleasant National Scenic area was both exquisitely scenic and nearly empty on this warm Easter Day, with the sky blue and the wildflowers two or three weeks behind where we've walked in recent weeks.

Water Water Everywhere

With near-record rains on Friday evening, we set out for that hiking water wonderland, the Apple Orchard/Cornelius Creek loop. And even along FR 59 on the way in, the stream rushed by full of fast white flow.

No View of the James

Belfast Trail to Appalachian Trail, north on AT to James River overlook and back. 6.6 miles

Over Highcock Knob to Views of the James

The tangle of pretty trails through the James River Face Wilderness has confused us a bit over the years, and continued to do so this day.

The Longest 3.4 Miles Around

With a cold day before us and grandson Matthew along, a fire-ready destination seemed in order.

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From the 4,071-foot viewpoint of Mt. Pleasant, the flattening-out geography of Virginia looking eastward reveals itself in pretty patterns of land use.

Mount Pleasant: Why It’s a National Scenic Area

The Mount Pleasant National Scenic area was both exquisitely scenic and nearly empty on this warm Easter Day, with the sky blue and the wildflowers two or three weeks behind where we've walked in recent weeks.
Cornelius Creek in mid-April runs fast . . . and cold.

Water Water Everywhere

With near-record rains on Friday evening, we set out for that hiking water wonderland, the Apple Orchard/Cornelius Creek loop. And even along FR 59 on the way in, the stream rushed by full of fast white flow.
The rocks of the Devil's Marbleyard are about 2 million years old; the hiker is slightly less ancient.

No View of the James

Belfast Trail to Appalachian Trail, north on AT to James River overlook and back. 6.6 miles
The Greatest Day Hiker Of Them All pretends she is going to have a hard time climbing Highcock Knob, here still a mile or so into the distance on the return walk.

Over Highcock Knob to Views of the James

The tangle of pretty trails through the James River Face Wilderness has confused us a bit over the years, and continued to do so this day.
A warming fire at Bryant Ridge Shelter.

The Longest 3.4 Miles Around

With a cold day before us and grandson Matthew along, a fire-ready destination seemed in order.
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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.

June 29, 2026
©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.

June 29, 2026
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS