eevy24012
Fullers Rocks (Little Rocky Row)
A re-post from an overnight trip into the mountains last year. I like going to a scenic vista on Friday evenings to see the sunset, spend the night and see the sunrise, then hike out and go home. That way I'm maximizing my picture taking time in the good light with a minimum of hiking back and forth. Can't wait until spring starts, 1/2 decent photography conditions are nowhere to be found in my area of late.
Friday I decided to break the ice and carry the overnight pack up on a mountain to spend the night for the first time this year. I have a goal to spend at least one night on all of the interesting mountains around my area, and haven't been to this one in awhile or ever spent a night on it. It has a great view over the James River and also to the east, had a look on Google Earth and found that it would have a clear shot of the sunrise. Pack was a little on the heavier side since I had to carry up all of the water I may need, plus all of the little luxuries like fleece liner for sleeping bag, 2 pillows, and Ipod with battery powered base for tunes.
Got a late start and trail is 3 miles up with a healthy elevation gain. Wanted to get set up before dark and so was pretty driven to get there, figured would be struggling first time out but felt really good the whole way and made fabulous time...didn't stop to rest more than a few seconds. Turbo was with me and he had his pack too, I made him carry his water and food. This was my first time on this particular trail so I didn't know when I was close to camp, I had always taken another way. After what I thought was time to be seeing the end, I looked over at another mountain that had similar looking cliffs and thought "Oh no!" Getting there would require some elevation loss through a saddle and then climb back up. Got in the right mindset for that and then soon arrived where I wanted to be...without all the extra trouble.
Fullers Rocks is a long set of cliffs that can be seen from the parkway bridge over the James, straight upstream. The mountain falls away fast below so one looks really high up. I was pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of Fringe Trees in bloom along the trail and cliffs, they are pretty but smell even better. The evening wind was blowing in strong and steady from the east, bringing up their aroma. I got camp set up, took some photos (not overly impressed with evening conditions), cooked dinner (Backpackers Pantry Sante Fe Chicken) then went out on the rocks for some attempts at night shots. I normally don't have a fire, but had a really large one this time just for the camping feeling. It was actually rather warm all night. Didn't sleep much, it's tough in the tent with Turbo since he wants all of the stuff I brought for my comfort. The place was fairly loud too with planes, trains and some trucks from the highway. I only sleep well camping next to streams or the ocean.
Woke up with the morning glow and shot the sunrise, cooked breakfast (Boars Head bacon and oatmeal) then packed up for the walk back. Legs will be sore tomorrow for sure but after the burn they will make me feel like I could jump a car or something. Hope to get back after this next week somewhere too.
Rode home on the parkway to check on some things that are coming soon, sky had turned rather blah so no photos.
Fullers Rocks (Little Rocky Row)
A re-post from an overnight trip into the mountains last year. I like going to a scenic vista on Friday evenings to see the sunset, spend the night and see the sunrise, then hike out and go home. That way I'm maximizing my picture taking time in the good light with a minimum of hiking back and forth. Can't wait until spring starts, 1/2 decent photography conditions are nowhere to be found in my area of late.
Friday I decided to break the ice and carry the overnight pack up on a mountain to spend the night for the first time this year. I have a goal to spend at least one night on all of the interesting mountains around my area, and haven't been to this one in awhile or ever spent a night on it. It has a great view over the James River and also to the east, had a look on Google Earth and found that it would have a clear shot of the sunrise. Pack was a little on the heavier side since I had to carry up all of the water I may need, plus all of the little luxuries like fleece liner for sleeping bag, 2 pillows, and Ipod with battery powered base for tunes.
Got a late start and trail is 3 miles up with a healthy elevation gain. Wanted to get set up before dark and so was pretty driven to get there, figured would be struggling first time out but felt really good the whole way and made fabulous time...didn't stop to rest more than a few seconds. Turbo was with me and he had his pack too, I made him carry his water and food. This was my first time on this particular trail so I didn't know when I was close to camp, I had always taken another way. After what I thought was time to be seeing the end, I looked over at another mountain that had similar looking cliffs and thought "Oh no!" Getting there would require some elevation loss through a saddle and then climb back up. Got in the right mindset for that and then soon arrived where I wanted to be...without all the extra trouble.
Fullers Rocks is a long set of cliffs that can be seen from the parkway bridge over the James, straight upstream. The mountain falls away fast below so one looks really high up. I was pleasantly surprised to find an abundance of Fringe Trees in bloom along the trail and cliffs, they are pretty but smell even better. The evening wind was blowing in strong and steady from the east, bringing up their aroma. I got camp set up, took some photos (not overly impressed with evening conditions), cooked dinner (Backpackers Pantry Sante Fe Chicken) then went out on the rocks for some attempts at night shots. I normally don't have a fire, but had a really large one this time just for the camping feeling. It was actually rather warm all night. Didn't sleep much, it's tough in the tent with Turbo since he wants all of the stuff I brought for my comfort. The place was fairly loud too with planes, trains and some trucks from the highway. I only sleep well camping next to streams or the ocean.
Woke up with the morning glow and shot the sunrise, cooked breakfast (Boars Head bacon and oatmeal) then packed up for the walk back. Legs will be sore tomorrow for sure but after the burn they will make me feel like I could jump a car or something. Hope to get back after this next week somewhere too.
Rode home on the parkway to check on some things that are coming soon, sky had turned rather blah so no photos.