I started the winter break with a hike up Little Stony Creek in Giles County, a scant two days before the solstice and the start of winter proper. It was a cold, clear morning when we pulled into the parking lot around 10 AM - and much to my surprise, the parking lot was empty. Since Little Stony Creek is also the trail to the
Cascades - one of the most popular trails in Virginia - it was a rare delight to start the trek without any other hikers. Asta and I donned our blaze orange (it being hunting season, after all) and hit the trail. While the attraction of this trail is often considered to be the Cascades at the end, I actually enjoy the two miles of hiking beside Little Stony Creek better than the waterfall and pool at the end. Here's a photo essay of our trip:
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| Looking upstream from the lower part of the trail |
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| A mid-creek cairn -- could it possibly be directional? |
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| A series of stone steps and walkways mark the upper part of the trail. |
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| The sun was clearing the ridge as we headed downstream. |
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| On the trail below the Cascades |
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| Asta, ever the herding dog, checks to see if I'm keeping up. |
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| The Cascades |
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| Looking downstream from the second bridge. |
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| Probably the most iconic image of the New River Valley. |
