House Mountain (Virginia, Apr/29/2023)
Apr 30, 2023 21:30:18 GMT -5
Post by GaliWalker on Apr 30, 2023 21:30:18 GMT -5
House Mountain (Virginia, Apr/29/2023)
A little more than a month prior to this trip, I'd hiked along the spine of North Mountain, a bit west of Lexington, Virginia. The view of double-humped House Mountain to the east was easily the highlight of the hike. House Mountain stood tall and aloof, rising high above its surroundings, with no other mountain to challenge its haughtiness. I can't believe that any hiker can look at that and still ignore the prospect of climbing it. It was a no-brainer for me to put it near the top of my list.
House Mountain, from North Mountain (March 18, 2023)
I began my hike from the parking lot a little before 7am. The first 0.75mi was a road-walk, but then the gravel road gave way to an old woods-road. This wide trail climbed up the flanks of the mountain at a moderate, but consistent grade. Up to this point, it wasn't the most interesting hike, but that all disappeared as I reached a saddle between the twin summits of House Mountain. The saddle was a gorgeous expansive meadow, carpeted with wildflowers. The bulk of Little House Mountain, the eastern summit, rose high on my right, while Big House Mountain, the western summit, was a mist shrouded presence to my left. I toyed with which summit to go for first, and then opted for Big House Mountain, in the hope that I would get lucky with the fog and the mist. And if they didn't burn off by the time I got to the top I could always wait; I was in no hurry.
Saddle meadow and Big House Mountain (photo taken on my return from Big House Mountain)
Unlike the approach to the saddle, the 0.8mi hike to the top of Big House Mountain was on a proper trail. The gradient was steeper too, culminating in an unexpectedly rugged finish to attain the summit ridge. The Goat Point Overlook was a short distance along the ridge to my left, while Table Rock was a slightly longer distance away to the right. I visited the overlook first. While the mist I'd encountered on the way up had disappeared, fog still hid most of the valley floor. In the far distance the tips of various peaks poked out of the soup, which made for an amazing, surreal sight.
Before (selfie)
I decided to go and check out Table Rock, while I waited for the fog to lift and reveal more of the valley floor. Table Rock was an interesting rock formation in the middle of a boulder garden, and worth the visit. The overlook was the star though.
Hiking past Table Rock (selfie)
Colorful spring foliage
After (selfie)
As I got back to the saddle, I was finally able to get a nice view of Big House Mountain, now clear of its mist blanket. Then it was time to head up Little House Mountain. The first few hundred yards were on a moderate gradient, but then a series of switchbacks took me up at a much steeper gradient. Near the top, and then along the summit ridge, mountain laurel tunnels, boulder gardens, and blooming wildflowers kept things interesting. A final descent deposited me at the Little House Mountain overlook, comprised of two rocky perches, and the end of the trail. The views from the overlook were expansive, and totally worth the effort.
Azaleas, just about in-bloom
Lady's Slipper
Big House Mountain from Little House Mountain
Stats: 9.3mi, 2900ft elevation gain, 7hrs
A little more than a month prior to this trip, I'd hiked along the spine of North Mountain, a bit west of Lexington, Virginia. The view of double-humped House Mountain to the east was easily the highlight of the hike. House Mountain stood tall and aloof, rising high above its surroundings, with no other mountain to challenge its haughtiness. I can't believe that any hiker can look at that and still ignore the prospect of climbing it. It was a no-brainer for me to put it near the top of my list.
House Mountain, from North Mountain (March 18, 2023)
I began my hike from the parking lot a little before 7am. The first 0.75mi was a road-walk, but then the gravel road gave way to an old woods-road. This wide trail climbed up the flanks of the mountain at a moderate, but consistent grade. Up to this point, it wasn't the most interesting hike, but that all disappeared as I reached a saddle between the twin summits of House Mountain. The saddle was a gorgeous expansive meadow, carpeted with wildflowers. The bulk of Little House Mountain, the eastern summit, rose high on my right, while Big House Mountain, the western summit, was a mist shrouded presence to my left. I toyed with which summit to go for first, and then opted for Big House Mountain, in the hope that I would get lucky with the fog and the mist. And if they didn't burn off by the time I got to the top I could always wait; I was in no hurry.
Saddle meadow and Big House Mountain (photo taken on my return from Big House Mountain)
Unlike the approach to the saddle, the 0.8mi hike to the top of Big House Mountain was on a proper trail. The gradient was steeper too, culminating in an unexpectedly rugged finish to attain the summit ridge. The Goat Point Overlook was a short distance along the ridge to my left, while Table Rock was a slightly longer distance away to the right. I visited the overlook first. While the mist I'd encountered on the way up had disappeared, fog still hid most of the valley floor. In the far distance the tips of various peaks poked out of the soup, which made for an amazing, surreal sight.
Before (selfie)
I decided to go and check out Table Rock, while I waited for the fog to lift and reveal more of the valley floor. Table Rock was an interesting rock formation in the middle of a boulder garden, and worth the visit. The overlook was the star though.
Hiking past Table Rock (selfie)
Colorful spring foliage
After (selfie)
As I got back to the saddle, I was finally able to get a nice view of Big House Mountain, now clear of its mist blanket. Then it was time to head up Little House Mountain. The first few hundred yards were on a moderate gradient, but then a series of switchbacks took me up at a much steeper gradient. Near the top, and then along the summit ridge, mountain laurel tunnels, boulder gardens, and blooming wildflowers kept things interesting. A final descent deposited me at the Little House Mountain overlook, comprised of two rocky perches, and the end of the trail. The views from the overlook were expansive, and totally worth the effort.
Azaleas, just about in-bloom
Lady's Slipper
Big House Mountain from Little House Mountain
Stats: 9.3mi, 2900ft elevation gain, 7hrs
