I took advantage of a day off work over Thanksgiving to go on a 9 mile hike starting out at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. It turned out to be a glorious day to be outside. It was 38 degrees F when I exited the Jeep at Metcalf Bottoms. It is a short 0.7 Miles from the Picnic area to the Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse. On the way I actually passed a couple of groups of hikers, unusual for me as I am a slow hiker. The fact that said groups had small children in tow probably accounted for my ability to overtake them and leave them behind.
The highlight of this trail is the Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse. It was full of tourists out enjoying a post holiday Mountain adventure. I checked out the building and read the historical plaque then started up Little Briar Gap Trail.
I walked the well preserved trail to the Walker Sister’s Cabin. I wandered around the Cabin, imagining what life must have been like in bygone days. The sky was so blue overhead and I was warming up. Layers are wonderful things. I layered down and finished Little Briar Trail. Where it intersected with Little Greenbriar Trail I hung a right and began to climb. I passed a couple of older gentlemen coming down the trail and one of them warned me with a wry smile that it was about to get a little strenuous.
It was a 2.4 mile hike along the border of the park. It was a steep, steady climb and I had to layer down once again about 1/2 way up. Layers are wonderful things. Little Greenbriar is a beautiful little trail winding up towards its intersection with Laurel Falls Trail. There were terrific views of Wear’s Valley along the way. Vistas are open now that the leaves have fallen off the trees. I took some pictures of the distant valley. There were rocky sections and green tunnels and leaf blanketed sections. I made the climb easily.
I topped out at the Intersection with Laurel Falls Trail. Folks coming from Laurel Falls spoke to me as I sat snacking. The hike back to the Jeep backtracking was not challenging at all.
Leaving all the tourists with their little taste of the Mountains, I wondered how they could be satisfied with skimming the treats and never tasting what offers real sustenance to the heart and soul. To experience the Park one really needs to leave the car behind and walk.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 