North to Damascus!

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Laurel Falls

Once again our Appalachian Trail Team journeyed north to Damascus, Virginia in early April to knock out a few more miles, this time setting out 50 miles south of Damascus and walking north a few days to Damascus. What an incredible adventure!

Upon arrival in Damascus we spent the night (once again) at the River Trail Inn. This fairly new motel features rooms and cabins and sits on the bank of the Laurel River that runs thru the town of Damascus.

The River Trail Inn does NOT disappoint!
The River Trail Inn features about 10 rooms plus several stand alone cabins. It is a great place to stay!
The view off the back porch of the River Trail Inn overlooking the beautiful Laurel Creek and pasture across the creek!
No trip would be complete without an incredible breakfast at the Diner in Damascus!
Damascus is a trail town!
After breakfast, we were given a ride to the starting point by “Grumpy” from the Boots Off Hostel!
And so it begins! After a 50mi ride thru the mountains, the backpacking begins in the Pond Mountain Wilderness!
Jay heads up the A Trail on a cool April Morning!
The trail passes thru some very interesting terrain! This area had rock walls on both sides!
Unique!
Jay and Lawrence stop on a bridge to enjoy the view!
The beautiful Laurel River!
The hills soon appeared!
Laurel River Rapids!
The AT is the flat rock on the right side of this photograph that parallels the river. There is a “high water” trail up above in case it is needed.
Kevin and Lawrence walked about a mile upstream to check out the beautiful Laurel falls.
These white hash marks keep hikers on the trail!
The “trail” on the right side of the river is the AT!
Virginia has some very unique bridges along the AT!
The Laurel River
View of Watauga Lake from the AT
Kevin, Lawrence and Jay begin day 2
A beautiful morning on Lake Watauga!
The Boots Off Hostel is a great place to spend a night (or three)!
Jay finishes 50 miles!
These three crosses were positioned for an Easter service in downtown Damascus later that night!
Damascus is a “Trail Town!”
This painting is on the side of a building in Damascus!
A painting on the side of a building in Damascus pretty much says it all!

With the completion of this adventure our team has completed nearly one quarter of the Appalachian Trail covering the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Although we still have a ways to go we will continue to push north as time permits! Until next time…

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