Yesterday I went hiking with my daughter and her boyfriend to Humpback Rocks which is accessed either by the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) or the Appalachian Trail in the George Washington National Forest.

This well known rocky outcrop on Humpback Mountain is a very popular hiking destination because of the spectacular views the Shenandoah and Rockfish valleys.

The trail accessed from the BRP is about a 1 mile hike to the rock formation. Although it is short, the change in elevation is about 800 feet. So it is definitely an aerobic workout. The trail changes from sculpted gravel at the bottom to narrow and rocky towards the summit, which is about 3,000 feet. The average time to hike the trail is about one hour (give or take) depending on your athletic prowess. In winter ice forms on the trail at the higher elevations, which lets me segue into my first photograph. 

Frozen WaterfallIce covers part of the trail to the summit of Humpback Rocks

Here, ice covers part of the trail up to the rock formation. We had go off the trail slightly to avoid the ice, but I could not resist the opportunity to photograph a frozen waterfall.

Humpback Rocks (A) - 0022

Here the Shenandoah Valley is visible in the top half of the photograph, while the rock outcrop is in the foreground. Despite the haze and clouds, the view is still spectacular.

Humpback Rocks (A) - 0021

In this photograph, the Rockfish Valley is visible on the right as Afton Mountain winds north. Just above the outcrop, a small part of the BRP is visible. The road leading off to the right leads to the trail up to the rock formation.

So much for me saying this would be my last blog before Christmas. Oh well!

Hope you enjoyed the photographs as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Until next time,

Paul

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