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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 17, 2021 20:40:15 GMT -5
With its 2050ft sustained elevation gain over 2.8mi, I've always thought that Chimney Top, a spectacular viewpoint on North Fork Mountain, would make for a great conditioning hike. There are few (if any?) other trails in the mid-Atlantic that provide this much elevation gain this quickly in one shot. Unfortunately, North Fork Mountain is a 3.25hr drive away for me, which is too far for a mere conditioning hike. A week ago, I got the bright idea for a hike that would allow me to have my cake and eat it too: How about I hike up to Chimney Top with my full camera gear, come down, stash the camera gear and then go up again one or two more times? I started my hike from North Fork Mountain's north trailhead at 5:45am. I made the ridge, 1.75mi in, in about 50min, and decided to take a break while enjoying the view of New Creek Mountain, across the Potomac River valley. 15min later, I was on my way again, and 40min later was atop Chimney Top, basking in the magnificent views.  New Creek Mountain My favorite view in the mid-Atlantic   The impressive notch carved by the Potomac RiverAt 9:30am I was on my way down. It was already hot and muggy and I was totally soaked with sweat. 1.25hrs later I was back at the car, where I traded my heavy camera gear for a Gatorade bottle. My second lap up was painful. The temperature had climbed into the upper 80s, so I was dragging. I knew that more ambitious plans of a third lap or a longer second lap had to be abandoned. I'd have to be satisfied with a second Chimney Top ascent. I eventually dragged my sodden carcass up in 2hrs. Even though I'd put my main camera away I couldn't resist taking a few snaps with my iPhone.   |
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Post by hikingandwildex on Jul 18, 2021 7:34:16 GMT -5
Good stuff!
Going to and from Chimney Top multiple times, on a hot and presumably humid day like that, is no easy chore! Hmm, maybe "chore" isn't the best choice of words when you're surrounded by amazing scenery like that!
That famous view is indeed spectacular, and I would say the North Fork Mountain Trail ranks as my favorite hike on this side of the country. That's saying a lot when the competition includes trails leading to 360-degree panoramas, breathtaking waterfalls, towering gorges, and other impressive natural features.
Here's a gallery of my May 2019 trip to Chimney Top and North Fork Mountain where I probably spent as much time stopping at the numerous overlooks than on the actual trail:
Even that time of year, it was getting to be a bit warm later in the day. This time of year? No thank you.  |
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 18, 2021 13:38:53 GMT -5
Here's a gallery of my May 2019 trip to Chimney Top and North Fork Mountain where I probably spent as much time stopping at the numerous overlooks than on the actual trail From your photos it looks like you went to that honeycomb rock / vista, around 5.1mi from the northern trailhead. That was where I'd originally thought I'd hike to on my second lap...before the heat wiped me out and I had to 'settle' for a Chimney Top turn-around. |
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Post by hikingandwildex on Jul 18, 2021 17:45:50 GMT -5
Here's a gallery of my May 2019 trip to Chimney Top and North Fork Mountain where I probably spent as much time stopping at the numerous overlooks than on the actual trail From your photos it looks like you went to that honeycomb rock / vista, around 5.1mi from the northern trailhead. That was where I'd originally thought I'd hike to on my second lap...before the heat wiped me out and I had to 'settle' for a Chimney Top turn-around. That area 5-6 miles from the northern trailhead was a pleasant surprise because I had only seen one photo on the internet ( on Hiking Upward's guide). Also, the crowds thinned out significantly 5+ miles in, as most people just went to Chimney Top and back. If you've never been that far down the North Fork Mountain Trail, I'd definitely recommend going sometime when it's not so hot out. The scenery is out of this world and you should have some great photo ops on a good weather day. |
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 18, 2021 18:30:49 GMT -5
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Post by hikingandwildex on Jul 18, 2021 20:45:18 GMT -5
I should have figured you've done the entire trail before. 
Really impressive lighting and colors in that second pic, btw.
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 19, 2021 7:03:27 GMT -5
Very nice (as usual)! I am particularly enjoying these, as any hiking for me this summer has been sidelined by an upcoming surgery (today actually). I am planning on hiking that for some fall colors if I can.
But I'm disappointed in you..........."conditioning hike"?....... Why didn't do overhead lifts with the camera gear on the way down, then curl it on the way back up for your second trip?? I know all that full frame stuff would have given you a better work out eh?
Have a great rest-of-the-summer!
Bruce
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 19, 2021 7:51:50 GMT -5
But I'm disappointed in you..........."conditioning hike"? Unfortunately, I need elevation gain, sustained elevation gain, in order to prepare for a big trip at high altitude in the Himalayas in less than a month's time. And I can only do boring mind-numbing hikes on the Laurel Highlands Trail for so long. North Fork Mountain always provides some much needed solace for the soul, even though I've hiked it umpteen times now. |
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 19, 2021 8:19:58 GMT -5
Man I wish I had THAT reason for a conditioning hike! I will definitely be looking forward to pics from that one.
What photo gear will you be taking for this one?
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 19, 2021 8:37:46 GMT -5
What photo gear will you be taking for this one? Camera, 17-40mm lens, 70-200mm lens, 1.5x extender for the lens, tripod, lens filters, remote shutter release, 5 extra batteries. Oh, best of luck in your surgery! |
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Post by jmitch on Jul 20, 2021 12:09:43 GMT -5
Beautiful, need to get back to NFM. Have a great trip to the Himalayas.
If you're looking for big climbs closer to home, check out the SST up the Thousand Steps to Shorbs Summit. 1,700 foot climb, lots of views.
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Post by GaliWalker on Jul 20, 2021 12:29:01 GMT -5
If you're looking for big climbs closer to home, check out the SST up the Thousand Steps to Shorbs Summit. 1,700 foot climb, lots of views. Oh, I'd forgotten about the Thousand Steps; I last did that in 2011. Thanks for the reminder. Yeah that's a nice alternative, although not quite as steep as Chimney Top: it's a little closer to me, and nets 1700+ft of elevation gain over 4mi. |
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Post by va3pinner on Jul 20, 2021 15:41:31 GMT -5
What photo gear will you be taking for this one? Camera, 17-40mm lens, 70-200mm lens, 1.5x extender for the lens, tripod, lens filters, remote shutter release, 5 extra batteries. Oh, best of luck in your surgery! Thanks it went very well. Just need time to heal. |
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