June 24 – Bearfence Mountain

We had a relaxing morning and decided to do something short after lunch. It was a nice and sunny but cool day so it was too good to waste.

I read the description for the Bearfence Mountain Trail. It was short, at a 1.2 miles loop and it was not steep, at only 150 feet vertical. The guide book did say that there was some rock scrambling at the top and that the rating was moderate.

Some scrambling was an understatement. It was lots of fun for me but it was very challenging mentally for Jennie. She was easily physically capable of doing it but there were some scary heights. The trail runs across the top of a wall of rock that was pushed up, with steep and high dropoffs on each side.

Always some steps to start.

The climb to the top is a loop off of the Appalachian Trail. I knew we were in trouble when the sign off the AT named it the Bearfence Rock Scramble.

 

It really got fun when the blue trail markers were painted directly on the rocks.

Up we go.

Sometimes almost straight up. There were lots of high steps for Jennie.

Back down between rocky outcrops.

Lots of Columbine.

We keep seeing this plant with white or purple flowers but don’t know what it is.

The start of the final climb to the top.

Below was one of the tougher places for Jennie. Just off to the right of the narrow ledge was a very steep and long dropoff.

Almost there. The rock over Jennie’s head, below, is the top but it is very narrow and a long way down on each side. I was so impressed that she made it over. I was also glad that this is a loop trail and we don’t have to return this way.

She made it over and paused at a safe resting place. This is looking down from the top at the continuation of the trail behind her. We do not go to the top of the mountain in the background.

Looking from behind Jennie back up to the top.

Back up for some more pictures.

Beautiful hazy mountains in all directions, off in the distance.

I took this couple’s picture for them.

Moving on there were still some tough spots.

Then it got a bit easier.

The section of the AT that we took to loop back to the trailhead was a bit rocky but in comparison it was smooth as silk.

Just a slightly tougher afternoon than I had planned.