Climb to Fullers Rocks/Little Rocky Row Mtn ( 2472'), Big Rocky Row Mtn. (2992'), Bluff Mtn (3372') -Pedlar Dam - (Lynchburg VA Reservoir) AWESOME VIEW

We were up around 6. Our breakfast was oatmeal and a blend of protein powder and cocoa, and coffee. We tore down camp, packed up and hit the trail at 8:25 A.M. In the morning, we were both stiff and hurting, "breaking" our bodies in yesterday and today. My knees hurt so bad I wondered if I could continue. Brett, trail name FireFly, had his share of pain, mostly his feet. I took the maximum dose of ibuprofen - the hiker's pal and kept going. A rugged, steep rocky climb, over 21 switchbacks, took us up to Fuller's Rocks. Then up to Little Rocky Row, down to a saddle, then up Big Rocky Row, another saddle, and up Bluff Mtn.

James River Wilderness as seen from Fuller's Rocks. We hiked the ridge down from top right, across the left of the two bridges, and up here.

The view from the summits were awesome - our reward for persevering. To the south we could see the James River Gorge and Wilderness we hiked in the rain yesterday. We could even see the radar installation on top of Apple Orchard Mtn. and the Blue Ridge Parkway as it cut down the mountainside. To the west we could see Glasgow VA and its large Burlington Industries plant. That was inspirational. We were fortunate and thankful to get a break in the weather.

The view from the summits were awesome - our reward for persevering. To the south we could see the James River Gorge and Wilderness we hiked in the rain yesterday. We could even see the radar installation on top of Apple Orchard Mtn. and the Blue Ridge Parkway as it cut down the mountainside. To the west we could see Glasgow VA and its large Burlington Industries plant. That was inspirational. We were fortunate and thankful to get a break in the weather.

On top of Bluff Mtn is a plaque to little Ottie Cline Powell who, in 1892 as a school child, lost his way in a snowstorm and thinking the school was up high, kept climbing. Five months later his remains were found where the plaque is today.

The top of Bluff Mtn is cleared, a former fire tower location still used for fire observation today. We ran into several day and weekend hikers enjoying this rugged, beautiful area. We took advantage of a jug of water left at a trail junction. It was a long, painful descent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Tired and hurting, unable to make the next shelter, we camped along Little Irish Creek not far from Pedlar Dam.

Firefly prepares supper at our Little Irish Creek tent site.

We filtered water, set up the tent, cooked supper and turned in after hanging our food bags and treating Brett's feet. A thunderstorm showered us just after we turned in and it rained several times during the night.