April 18 Day 5 Virginia Creeper

This trail was a bit of unfinished business.  Last year Dennis and I rode the lower 16 mile stretch of the Creeper and didn't care much for it.  It crossed privately owned farm land and we were constantly opening and closing gates.  It was narrow and not very scenic.  We heard bad things about the upper half being steep and rocky so we rode elsewhere.  This year we decided to include it on our trip and we are so glad we did.  It was AMAZING.  We rode from Damascus 16 miles uphill to the end and saw endless mountain laurel and rhododendron.  It followed a fast running creek (Beaver Damn Creek) the entire way.  We crossed 31 scenic wooden bridges spanning rapids and valleys.  The sound of the rapids followed us the entire way.  Lots of great photos.  Wish you could hear the rapids.

trail section with rhododendron 

small rapids

Virginia Creeper is the name of a vine very similar to poison ivy and sumac

valleys of mountain laurel and rhododendron 

We were told that this is a rare flowering plant native to Virginia

the flower

more flowers on the trail

Dennis at trail head

goat on the trail. we also saw a snake but I wasn't fast enough to get the shot

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