Humpback Rocks

Hampback Rocks, in the George Washington National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is one of the more strenuous hikes I've undertaken in a long time.  It gains about 1200 feet of elevation in only a mile.   If you look closely at the photo below, you can see the Rocks in the center of the background.

Using the telephoto lens zoomed all the way in, you can just make out the people on top of the rocks a mile away.  Compare the size of the people to the size of the rock, and the rocks to the mountain shown above to get some idea of the altitude climb.  It is an UPHILL pull all the way.

 

 The rocks are a sheer cliff.  Fall, and you're toast.

 





 

 

And seems like there's always some daredevils wrestling and horsing around at the edge to show off how daring they are.  Two words:  stupid fools.  It's all fun and games until somebody ends up in pieces 200 feet below.  I had no plans to volunteer to help carry their bodies back down the mountain.  Fortunately, they came to their senses before that  happened. 

The view from the top is definitely worth the strenuous climb.

 

The old man made it, swollen ankle and all.  But it took a while, and a lotta rest breaks.

 

Coming back, I took the "long way home", and did the 4-mile loop, taking the Appalachian Trail north.

All I got to see of this bear was his hindquarters as he skedaddled.  By the time I could figure out what was causing the rustling in the leaves, he was at full throttle.  The camera didn't have time (or enough light since the zoom was all the way out) to focus properly.