Loudon Heights Trail to Blackburn up and back, AT; WV/VA

I assume some of you are hitting this blog to find the trailhead of the Loudon Heights Trail in Virginia and West Virginia. Heading south on 340 cross the bridge at Sandy Hook and pass the Exxon. When the road turns southward at the bend of the river about 1/4 mile past the Exxon look to your left, you will see a break in the rocks on the other side of the road. Park on 340 well off the pavement where it is legal. The trail is there, it just isn't obvious. Once you get on the trail you will see the trail signs. The trail will switchback up the mountain and you will get overlooks quickly where you get a good view of Harper's Ferry and the Potomac. It will be 2.5 miles before the Loudon Heights Trail will intersect with the AT.

I wanted to knock out 26 miles today so I didn't take the camera, I was late getting started so I needed to move. The AT annoys me, too many people, too many hiking amateurs, too many weirdos. I didn't feel like a long drive so I stayed near home. I saw one hunter with a rifle firing it right on the trail, you know who you were and I was not impressed. Perhaps you need to review the law. You're a lousy shot too, Bambi wasn't more than a few feet away. I would have been interested, though, on how you were going to haul that 130 pound buck off the trail when the nearest road was 3 miles away and down a steep trail. I would have paid to watch that. Of course, you feel that the law is optional so I would have assumed you would have figured a way to get your 4x4 on the trail. Good thing I bring a cell phone.

Also, to the two people who I met 1/2 mile south of Route 9 who were interested in visiting David Lesser Shelter. I told you the shelter was about 3 miles away, but I failed to mention it was all uphill on a snow-covered trail. Yes, I do understand the temp was in the high 40s at that time of 3 o'clock in the afternoon, but one of you was wearing shorts and the other flip-flops. Do flip-flops offer good traction on snow? Water is always something good to take along but maybe you two are quasi camels and don't need any. Either way, I am impressed with your hiking skills, it took me an additional 3 hours to hike my last 8 miles, I wonder how you did in the rapidly dropping temps at such a late hour? Although I did see the one thing you took with you was that Garmin GPS. When you are dying from dehydration and hypothermia luckily you'll know exactly where you are.

(Note to self: Next time drive further, drive far far away)