Hiking the Rough Ridge Trail

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A few weeks ago just after the peak leaf season Erica and I had the pleasure of going on a mountain trip.  One of our favorite things to do is to explore some well marked mountain trails.  A nice hike is Rough Ridge off of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 302.8
Here is a web site that will tell you all about the trail.  Rough Ridge  I will have information from this site in quotes.
"The trail goes up over a wooden footbridge spanning a tributary of Wilson’s Creek, then leads on up the hill. You’ll need to pick your way through some boulders.  The trail ascends about 25 stone steps of varying height before semi-leveling out. This section of the trail is right around a quarter mile, so it takes just a few minutes to get to the top. High bushes obscure the view at this point, but then- you climb a few wooden steps onto the boardwalk, and you’re treated to the best view the High Country has to offer. Over 180° of panoramic I-can-see-for-miles views."
I love the stairways of wood and rock...

"The boardwalk was built around 20-25 years ago to keep hikers from destroying the fragile ecosystem of the ridge. You can wander out onto a large somewhat level rock, one of my favorite places to sit and ponder or write in my journal. This sharply angled rock has a promontory many people step out onto and take photos, but be careful! The trail keeps going on up past the boardwalk for about anothe half a mile, and let me tell you- they don’t  call it Rough Ridge for nothing. There are a couple other places for the sure-footed to venture out onto boulders to soak in the view."

There is a nice boardwalk.  From the boardwalk you can go out onto a very large rock..which we did.


"There are a couple cables and steel spikes to help you reach the very top of the summit. Up there is of course the best view, although the views lower down are awe-inspiring too."

For the first time we went past the boardwalk.  I did not even know that the trail went higher then that.  Off we went.  We finally arrived at a large bolder that we had to crawl up.  Happy day we made it to the top.  
We met a park ranger up there that shared some tips with us.  He told us the bears were not really a problem as far as safety.  He said one of the major dangers was falling from the rocks.  They had just lost a teen the week before that was taking a selfie and fell.  Very sad.


Wonderful day on the trail.
If you find yourself on the Blue Ridge Parkway I suggest you take a hike on 
The Rough Ridge Trail.
You won't regret it.
Happy Travels
KathieyV:-)

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 17, 2017 at 5:31 PM

    I absolutely love this area of NC! Gorgeous! It's so much fun scrambling around on all the rocks in that area too - makes for quite a hiking adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kathiey's WorldFebruary 19, 2017 at 7:12 AM

    Hey Liz, I agree. It is one of my favorite trails. We went to the top this time and met a nice park ranger who shared some of his adventures with us. Fun day!

    ReplyDelete

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