October 4, 2008
2.8 miles round trip.
This short hike is on the Appalachian Trail. It began where the trail
crosses route 42 near Newport, Virginia (which is near Blacksburg). There's
shoulder parking along the fairly busy road.
The trail starts with one of those little fence ladders and then proceeds uphill
through a cow pasture. You get a couple of very nice views during this early
section. So, if you only have ten minutes to spare for a short hike, then head
up this hill.
The trail is well marked and somebody had even mowed a nice path (thanks!).
You'll continue through a little wooded area and some more pasture and more
trees, etc. You'll also come to another paved road, which you should turn right
onto for about a hundred feet. Then back off into the woods.
Around the 1.3 mile mark, give or take, you'll come to a really big tree known
as Keffer Oak. From what I've read, it's about 18 to 20 feet around. It's one
of the largest trees on the Appalachian Trail. Depending on the source, it is
said to be the largest tree on the AT, or the largest blazed tree or the largest
oak. Whatever the truth, it is big!
Shortly after the oak, you turn left into another pasture. I ended my hike
shortly after this turn due to a small herd of cows.
You can also view this
here.
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