Buzzard Hill (VA)

The day after Christmas, we opted for another attempt on Buzzard Hill, a little summit hike we’d aimed for a couple weeks earlier. The narrow side road leading to the trailhead was steep and icy at the time and I didn’t want to risk it, so we bailed. This time, however, all was perfect with no snow in sight.

48. Buzzard Hill: The trail, a section of the A.T., passed a small waterfall early on where much ice had formed during the preceding cold spell. We ogled the icicles and assorted frozen sculptures, then continued upward, landing on the summit an hour and half from the car. A big old gnarly tree gave the place a cool ambiance and we enjoyed lunch at our scenic, sunny perch on the rocks. Summit number four dozen was in the bag, which meant I was 80 percent of the way to Sixty, with just over five weeks to go. On the way down, we passed a herd of three white-tailed deer browsing only a few yards from the trail. They spooked at first, but then decided to ignore us and went about their chewing and chomping as if we were just a couple of overgrown squirrels.

On the drive home, we stopped for a light dinner at Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm, a unique farmstead eatery that a friend at work had recommended. Not bad and a cool place to go with family or friends.

Miles (RT):  3.8 miles; elevation gain: 850 feet
Cumulative mileage and gain:  215.8 miles / 57,050 feet

Rock foundation of an old cabin.

The summit.

Willow Creek Farm.