Captain Blue Goes Hiking Again!

Photos by Andy Niekamp

Easter Weekend 2002
March 29 - April 1

Appalachian Trail
Craig Creek Valley, VA to Pearisburg, VA
51.7 miles - southbound

Read the hike summary.

Click on an image to view a larger image and a description. Waive your pointer over a photo for a description.

The Rendezvous Motel in Pearisburg in Virginia. The trail crosses Craig Creek Valley road. Starting the hike at the Craig Creek Valley crossing. Taking a break at Niday shelter. 1.3 miles down - 50.7 to go!
The typical trail on Friday. The trail on Friday morning. One of the several signs the hikers see along the way. A rock overlook along the way.
The view down to Craig Creek Valley. Another view down to Craig Creek Valley. The trail crosses slanted rock faces. This was the trail. Believe it or not.
The new Sarver Hollow shelter. I can't stay here. I have miles to go before I sleep. The much newer hut near the Sarver Cabin ruins. The Sarver Cabin ruins. Do you see a ghost? Andy at the Sarver Cabin ruins.
One of the many rock piles on the mountain top built by the early settlers. A stile. This allows hikers to cross a fence. A gate would work but the hikers would leave them open and the cows would get out. The Keiffer Oak tree. Thought to be over 600 years old. Walking through a farmer's meadow on Friday.
An abandoned homestead off the trail. If this house could talk? Laurel Branch shelter on Saturday morning. Kelly Knob. Side view from Kelly Knob.
The view from Kelly Knob. Some carnivourius mammal pooped on the Trail. A not so rocky part of the Trail. Strolling along on Saturday afternoon.
A typical stream. One of many. Entering Mountain Lakes Wilderness. A typical stream crossing. Taking a break at War Spur shelter on Saturday afternoon.
The woodpeckers have stripped the bark off this dead pine tree. My campsite on Saturday night. Captain Blue getting psyched for the wet Easter morning hike. The view from my tent on Easter morning.
A rhododenderon thicket on the Trail. Doesn't hiking in the rain look fun? Pine Branch Swamp shelter. I couldn't stay here. I was still 19+ miles from my car. The view of the trail on Sunday afternoon.
The Allegheny Trail meets the AT. Dickinson Gap. My campsite on Sunday night. The Trail on Monday morning on the Virginia - West Virginia Border. The trail leading up to Symmes Meadow.
The view from Symmes Meadow. The view northbound on the AT from Symmes Meadow. Wet socks drying on a tree near a spring. The view from a power line right of way.
Rice Field Captain Blue entering Rice Field. Cows keep the mountain top clear. The view of Pearis Mountian from Rice Field. The view from Rice Field.
A stile on the trail. I am almost to Pearisburg. Funny. This sign is real near the chemical factory in town. The big chemical factory in Pearisburg.
The newly finished bridge over the New River with a pedestrian lane. Pearis Cemetery where the General is burried. Pearis Cemetery sign. The end of my hike.
My car was waiting for me at the Rendezvous Motel Andy 'Captain Blue' at the end of the hike.

 

Andy's Other Hiking Photo Sites

Web page by -