We decided today we would hike to Natural Bridge.
Click HERE for a nice PDF map of Natural Bridge State Park.
We were at the parking lot near the Gift Shop by 8am. The weather gets warm in the afternoon, so we wanted to be done before then. Also, the Skylift doesn’t run until 10am, so that means less people up on Natural Bridge early in the morning!!
We decided to hike The Original Trail (#1) up and hike Balanced Rock Trail (#2) down. Our reason was that The Original Trail is said to be the shortest and easiest route to the Bridge. Balanced Rock Trail is said to be the steepest trail so it seem a good idea to do that one down;o))
Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.
We started near the gift shop where we picked up The Original Trail.
It is a very well maintained trail!!
When you reach the quarter mile mark, you are at the Hemlock Lodge Road.
The trail sign here indicates this is the shortest and easiest trail to Natural Bridge.
Make note, EASIEST does not mean EASY ;o))
You will hike Up, Up, Up to get there!!!
There are 4 CCC Shelters along the way if you need a rest!!
It is a lovely climb through the Rhododendron and Rocks:o))
Finally, the stone bridge above us!!
Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.
To get to the top of Natural Bridge, you must tackle Fat Man’s Squeeze!!
The Natural Bridge is much wider than we expected.
Even Bill, who has a healthy respect for heights, was willing to walk across!!
The view from the top was spectacular!!
If you walk all the way across Natural Bridge,
you will reach Laurel Ridge Trail (#6) which takes you past the Skylift.
The Skylift doesn’t open until 10am.
So far, we haven’t met another person on the trails!!
We continued farther out Laurel Ridge Trail to Lookout Point.
View of Natural Bridge from Lookout Point
From here,
we back-tracked on Laurel Ridge Trail and crossed back over Natural Bridge
to find the Balance Rock Trailhead (#2) to hike back down.
We read that this was the steepest trail,
but the scenery made the hike DOWN, DOWN, DOWN so worth it!!!
I’ll just let the photos do the talking:o))
Click on any photo to enlarge or hover your mouse on any photo for a description.
Can’t wait for the NEXT hike:o))
Mother Nature sure is Amazing!!!
Very nice, but oh those ups and downs! :)
ReplyDeleteHow is the temperature there this time of year?
Hey Karen, This is our 7th day here and we have had lows from 55 to 73 and highs from 75 to 89. Speaking with neighbors, they said it was in the 100s this time last year. So I guess the answer is... It Depends;o)) So far it has been good for early day hikes and warmer afternoon car tours!!
DeleteWonderful to have the hike all to yourselves. Beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteWow Nancy you did it AGAIN!! What a beautiful spot. And to have it all to yourselves....fantastic! Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hike! Glad to see Bill is back to his old self. Guess nothing slows him down :)
ReplyDeleteKentucky is another beautiful state that I never knew anything about until we started working at Amazon :-). I like the down down down part of your hike the best :-)))!!
ReplyDeleteNice that the down part of your hike was on the return leg for a change! :c)
ReplyDeleteGreat hike! What a great natural bridge. Glad to see Bill's feeling better :-)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful! Lookalike a great hike!
ReplyDeleteWe were there in January of 2013 and it was chilly but wonderful. I loved having the trails to myself and even though it was cold it was warmer than Wisconsin! It was a "girls" trip and we rented one of the cabins. They are not so great.
ReplyDelete