Joseph Rothrock photo hike (Michaux)
May 7, 2015 21:36:46 GMT -5
Post by AegisIII on May 7, 2015 21:36:46 GMT -5
Photos
Back in the end of December, I learned that this iconic photo of Joseph Rothrock was taken in Michaux State Forest. Further, the location was located, described as about halfway between Mont Alto and the village of South Mountain. That would put it in the area I call "the rock spine," north of The Narrows. Others put it at Eagle Rock, on the south side of The Narrows. I'd been to both plenty of times, but the specific outcrop did not appear familiar to me. So I had to take a trip.
I started at Mont Alto State Park, making my way into Michaux, than taking the trails up Red Run, to the Eagle Rock clearing (where Forestry is clearly doing some American Chestnut growing), and thence to Eagle Rock. Looking at the photo, I inferred that it was probably taken looking south, with Rothrock looking west. The tilt of the rocks in the area also suggested this. I searched all but one of the many outcrops at Eagle Rock; couldn't find a matching outcrop. Not that surprising.
After Eagle Rock, I headed down into the pleasant area that is the top of The Narrows, then up the east side of the rock spine. I then headed down the west side, checking out the outcrops. A flagged route not following the trail I was using appeared, followed the trail for a bit, then headed up the rocks. Hmmm. Got out the photo, inspected, found the point. A bit more grown over than when Rothrock was there. I had hiked below this rock many times, never visited it. Took some photos in the Rothrock pose, no beagle though.
After that, I headed down the ledges trail, past the Pre-view and the Mennonite vista, and down to the base of The Narrows. That area is certainly changing; not in a good way, the hemlocks seem to have mostly had it. Blowdowns and more to come (if not already). Then down the charcoal road beneath the tilted cliffs, and back to the road. Did a second loop in a hollow and small ridge. Nice rhododendrons and stream, a couple of acceptable views. Then back to the park.
(I'm not going to be posting every trip that I've done during my TR hiatus; just highlights and perhaps a couple of lowlights.)
Back in the end of December, I learned that this iconic photo of Joseph Rothrock was taken in Michaux State Forest. Further, the location was located, described as about halfway between Mont Alto and the village of South Mountain. That would put it in the area I call "the rock spine," north of The Narrows. Others put it at Eagle Rock, on the south side of The Narrows. I'd been to both plenty of times, but the specific outcrop did not appear familiar to me. So I had to take a trip.
I started at Mont Alto State Park, making my way into Michaux, than taking the trails up Red Run, to the Eagle Rock clearing (where Forestry is clearly doing some American Chestnut growing), and thence to Eagle Rock. Looking at the photo, I inferred that it was probably taken looking south, with Rothrock looking west. The tilt of the rocks in the area also suggested this. I searched all but one of the many outcrops at Eagle Rock; couldn't find a matching outcrop. Not that surprising.
After Eagle Rock, I headed down into the pleasant area that is the top of The Narrows, then up the east side of the rock spine. I then headed down the west side, checking out the outcrops. A flagged route not following the trail I was using appeared, followed the trail for a bit, then headed up the rocks. Hmmm. Got out the photo, inspected, found the point. A bit more grown over than when Rothrock was there. I had hiked below this rock many times, never visited it. Took some photos in the Rothrock pose, no beagle though.
After that, I headed down the ledges trail, past the Pre-view and the Mennonite vista, and down to the base of The Narrows. That area is certainly changing; not in a good way, the hemlocks seem to have mostly had it. Blowdowns and more to come (if not already). Then down the charcoal road beneath the tilted cliffs, and back to the road. Did a second loop in a hollow and small ridge. Nice rhododendrons and stream, a couple of acceptable views. Then back to the park.
(I'm not going to be posting every trip that I've done during my TR hiatus; just highlights and perhaps a couple of lowlights.)