I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up on a hiking day, looked out the window and thought the best option is to stay inside, get the Sunday paper and enjoy a lazy day slothing around the house. But alas, that option is available. I’ve signed up and so need to go. And 99% of the time I couldn’t be happier.
Our last hike, the Indian Grave Ridge 10 miler (gratefully chosen for us by Brandon C.), was one of those days. The rain was hammering down and the clouds low in the valleys as we drove out to Front Royal and then shimmied down the valley to the trail head. A lively group of 11 scouts (including two ladies, Freya and Alicia, from the newly formed troop) were joined by a gaggle of parents. As we were preparing to set off the rain eased, and blue sky began to show (enough to make a pair of Dutchman’s trousers as my mother would say).
The temperature was perfect for hiking and the sky was now nearly completely cloudless, so we headed off on our loop hike. Simple plan, go along the road, then turn left and up to the ridge, go a long the ridge, turn left and descend until we hit the road and back to the cars. Both the up and the down were a tad trickier than normal because of the rain. Both trails had in part turned into muddy, leafy muck pits which simply added to the fun (or not).
Once we got on to the ridge the view was beautiful. It was a really narrow trail and so, because of the time of year and lack of leaves (on the trees not on the trail!), you could see clearly into both valleys. Now I’m not going to bore you here with all the details, but this is a really interesting geological area and I spent a few moments telling the boys what was going on. And I am sure they were really really interested as a ribbled on and on about sandstones, back arc basins, shores lines moving in and out etc. I could tell the loved it!!!!!
We continued along the ridge until we came to a lovely lookout spot ideal for our lunch break. After sandwiches and coffee, we headed back basking in amazing February weather until we needed to descend. And my oh my did it drop off. Obviously the geologically enthused scouts skipped happily down the trail whilst one or two of the older fellas used some apt geological terms such as schist, more times than considered normal.
Once back on the road a fleeting rain shower doused us kindly with much appreciated cooling water and then eased as we approached the cars. Another good new hike completed and off to Spelunker’s in Front Royal for a well-earned burger.
Next hike is set for March 31st and we’re heading back to Signal Knob. Look out for a Sign-up that will be coming out soon.
Check out the Indian Grave Ridge Hike pix over here.