FALL FOLIAGE HIKE

White Rock Falls Trail is 2.5 miles long.  We started at the south end, near the Slack Overlook by mile marker 20 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Pictured: Henry Tyree, Emily Johnson, Kelly Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Susan Johnson

The trail heads down to the falls area, crosses the stream, and gradually goes back uphill to the Parkways at about mile 18.5.

Pictured: Emily Johnson, Henry Tyree, Susan Johnson, Rick Johnson

Because of the dry conditions, there wasn't much water in the streams.  This one was completely dry.

Pictured: Susan Johnson, Mary Rainey, Chandler Snyder, Pam Snyder, Linda Fry

The young people posed on one of the rock outcroppings above the falls area.  There are great views to be enjoyed here, looking across to The Priest mountain.  Pictured are Matthew and Kelly Johnson (seated), Graeson and Henry Tyree (white tees), Chandler Snyder,Emily Johnson, Jaidon Snyder, and Kemper Snyder.  (Rick Johnson is on the far left.)

This view is from the same location as the picture to the left.  The leaves where just shy of peak color, but this year probably won't be as glorious as others, again due to the dry conditions.

A gnarled old pine.

If only the adults would keep up, we wouldn't have to wait so much!

Pictured: Henry Tyree, Emily Johnson, Chandler Snyder, Jaidon Snyder, Kemper Snyder

Rest break and picture time!

Pictured: Graeson Tyree, Henry Tyree, Susan Johnson, Pam Snyder, Mary Rainey, Emily, Rick, Matthew and Kelly Johnson

This picture is from the stream area at the lowest point on the trail, where the trail crosses the stream.  The first time we did this hike with church youth, twelve years ago, where Emily is standing was under water.

Pictured: Emily, Matthew and Kelly Johnson

Large boulders along the creek, looking back uphill towards the falls area.  We did not take the spur trail back to the falls, as there was almost no water flowing down the stream, and we were concerned about getting out of the woods before darkness set in.  (We did.)

Pictured: Henry Tyree, Jaidon Snyder, Chandler Snyder

Towards the end of the hike -- I wonder who slept better Sunday night: the kids or the adults?

Pictured: Kelly Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Chandler Snyder, Jaidon Snyder

Kemper by the sign marking the entry to the trail off the Parkway at mile 18.5, where we ended our hike.  Some of the kids thought they had walked 25 miles, missing the decimal point on the sign!  After the hike, we enjoyed sandwiches and drinks and then headed for home.