Climbed a mountain yesterday...by accident!

[IFjane]

Oh yeah - what overlook did you start from? Did you climb up to Big Meadows?

[KathiCville]

Hi Jane! Welcome home!.....I entered the Park at Afton (Milepost 105), parked at Beagle Gap Overlook, mile 99.8, just north of Milepost 100, and headed north. Gentle downhill for first four miles. I think it was Sawmill Run Overlook, at around 95.3, where the climb started. According to the sign at the overlook the elevation is 2190'. I hit the top somewhere between Wildcat Ridge parking lot and the Crimora Lake overlook, where the elevation is just shy of 3000'. Once I hit the top (whew!), I kept going for almost two more miles--the stretch was relatively "level" there. (Emphasis on "relative".....) I turned back when the Drive was about to take a huge dip again---I think the spot was just beyond Riprap Overlook at 91.4.

When I got back to where I'd parked my truck, I actually went past the spot for just a little bit going south, because I thought mayyyyybe I could hit 20mi for the day. But between fatique, dropping temps, impending sunset, not to mention hints of a wicked downhill stretch that I was going to have to climb to get back to where I had parked, I cheerfully and contentedly tossed in the towel at that point.

I should have mentioned that part of the reward of that terrific ride was driving back down the Parkway five miles to the exit, thoroughly enjoying a beautiful Valley sunset from the comfort of my cozy, WARM truck, LOL!!! Gorgeous!

[IFjane]

Thank you Kathi!

I realized after I posted on Thursday that you would not have climbed to Big Meadows because you would have started from Rockfish Gap (Afton) instead of Swift Run Gap (where Rt. 33 crosses the mountain). DUH!

It sounds like a wonderful ride and I hope to be able to do it with you soon.