The weather has been unseasonably warm for a few weeks now, but our scheduled backpacking trip to Crabtree Falls seemed to believe it was important to remind us what the temperature should be for this time of year. Very cold!!!
With temps 50 degrees cooler than just a few days earlier five scouts and three scouters headed south of Charlottesville to the beautiful Crabtree Falls. After a brief stop at Bodo’s for breakfast we drove into the hills about an hour south of the home of UVA.
Once parked, we loaded up with our packs and began the climb up the falls. It seemed the first 2,000 feet happened within 10 feet of leaving the parking lot! To say it was a steep climb would be an understatement but lordy was it worthwhile. The three sets of falls are stunning and well worth the effort. Due to the cold they were partially frozen. One of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen in Virginia.
Once we got to the top we hiked along a hanging valley and found a great spot to camp. It was nestled down in the valley floor right next to a pretty and very active little stream. It was great hearing it rumble by through the night.
We dropped our bags, had lunch and then headed off to the AT for a hike up to Spy Rock. After a few hours of hiking we decided to turn back and head back to camp before dark. It was a long day of walking and all of our little legs were happy the stop sign appeared.
A tired bunch of hikers having hit the 10-mile and 3,600 feet mark for the day then lit a fire and got some hot food inside us as the temperature decided to keep dropping. And then drop some more.
We did well next to the fire and lasted until about 8:30 before we headed to our tents. I had decided to try my new bivy bag and boy was it a bad choice. Whilst the guys were all snug as bugs in their tents I was creating condensation and then ice in my plastic cocoon of death. I was luckily warm enough in my sleeping bag and decided to sleep outside and got the most amazing view of the stars on a really brilliant night sky.
We got up, realized we had survived a chilly one, built a fire and ate breakfast. After breaking camp we headed back down the falls and then headed back to McLean.
It may have been chilly but this spot was truly stunning and I can’t wait to return (maybe when it’s a touch warmer).
Scouts hiking were Charlie, Nino, Matthew, Ian and Felix with scouters were Mr. Forrer, Mr. Harrington and little old me.
MWS