Buzzard Rock – VA

Saturday, May 18th, 2019

I made the journey to Front Royal, VA in hopes to hike in the Shenandoah NP. I get to my hotel, and the view changed my mind.

Here I was, staring at this monstrosity across the way. I thought, “What is that?” I waste no time and look it up. I was looking at Buzzard Rock, in the George Washington NP. It was decided. That is where I was going to go.

Come bright and early Saturday morning, I packed up, and took off for the trailhead.

I arrive just after 8:00am, and the lot was beginning to fill. As I pull in, two lads walked by and waved.

Moments later, I was parked, out of my car, and on the trail.

The forecast was sunny and 80. It was a true blessing as this was the first hike on the trip I was able to wear shorts.

I start making my way up the trail, picking up the pace faster and faster as I go. There really wasn’t much scenery down low, just average forest.

I then come to this opening, which was like a pad, where some hikers were taking photos and resting. This is where I ran into the two lads from the parking lot. Sean and Josh. They tell me that two of their friends went fishing, so they decided to go hiking. I learn that Josh was a bird watcher, so this fit his forte perfectly.

I snap this quick photo, and we decide to head up the “rock” together.

As we got higher, the trail began to get rockier, and skinnier. They refer to these higher, rockier, skinnier trails as a knifes edge ridge. This was nowhere near the knifes edge ridge on the Franconia Notch. Still, they do present mild danger if you aren’t careful.

We came to an opening, and I took a shot of the valley below.

I then turn and snap this next photo of the trail.

We came to learn that Buzzard Rock wasn’t but a few hundred feet further.

However, we were expecting a much more significant “rock” and view. I even look at my app, and it says we still have a couple miles to go on the “marked trail”.

We go on through rocky terrain and backcountry that appears it could produce a black bear or other fierce creature at any moments notice.

Eventually, we come to an intersection which was the ending point on the “marked trail”.

We then see this next sign. Buzzard Rock, back the way we came, 2 miles. We were beside ourselves.

Out of nowhere comes a trail runner whom appeared to be running a race. He said he was in the midst of a 100 mile race. Sounds like an event that my friend Jessica would do.

Upon our discovery, we headed back to Buzzard Rock.

On our way, we stopped to see some views that we had previously passed up. This is where we came upon this guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages… This is a black phase timber rattlesnake. The most poisonous snake in the East.

Having read the “hiss-tory” on these creatures, I knew that one could very cautiously get within 4 feet of it. Any closer, and you risk getting bit. Even at 4, it was a quite risky. As Sean and Josh watched on with high powered binoculars, I got up close and took this photo. Oddly, his rattler never went off. He never moved. Nor did he stick his viper tongue out. Playing possum is the name of the game.

We carried on and came across this little fella.

Within a half mile, we reach Buzzard Rock for the second time. We get up on it and see some amazing views.

Before we departed, we took some personal photos. We then headed back to the cars. Sean had recommended a place for me to go eat in town. It was called Spelunkers. It was a tasty burger joint that hit the spot perfectly.

After talking with some local folks, I made the five hour drive down to Chilhowie, VA where my next hotel was. I got cleaned up, and drove 20 minutes to Damascus, VA where the annual Appalachian Trail Days Festival was going on. My goal was to meet up with a few of the AT hikers that I had previously met in The Smokies. The only problem was that they were up in tent city. It’s where some 2,000 tents were set up from active AT hikers. Thus, I grabbed some grub, and enjoyed the musical entertainment before calling it a night. What a trip this has become.