Yesterday we hiked the Shades of Death trail. Cheery-sounding, and rated as "most difficult" on the trail maps, but we decided to give it a try. We found that what was most difficult about it was not elevation change or rock-climbing; it was staying ON the trail! This park seems to put a wooden sign at the start of a trail and then you're on your own. The trail was supposed to be yellow-blazed, but they were very stingy with that yellow paint, and several times we lost the trail entirely, including once when we ended up hiking on state road 534 for about a quarter to half mile before we happened upon the trail again.
That being said, it was a lovely trail that ran along Sand Spring Run, a rocky little brook with lots of small waterfalls. The trail was also full of rhododendron which must have been wonderful to see earlier in the summer.
Dan and Ranger along the trail
Karen and Ranger at one of the waterfalls
Sand Spring Run
 |
| Not many birds in this park but lots of butterflies! |
No comments:
Post a Comment