Raven Rocks, WV

New year and going to try to keep up with this blog better than I have in the past!  My friend and I have made a New Year's resolution (I can hear all of your sighs from here, but wait, listen...this one's good--I promise) to hike at least 100 miles together!  We can hike separately, but the only ones that count towards our goal are the hikes we do together.  Here it is January 25th, and we've already hiked over 20 miles, well on our way to our goal.  I plan on using this blog to help document our wonderful adventures, and the growth, excitement, friendship, and just natural beauty that I encounter along this journey.

Anywho, enough of the background.  One of our recent hikes was to up to Raven Rocks, West Virginia.  I bet a lot of you have already heard of this hike...it's a (very small) part of the Appalachian Trail.  You're able to do just this section of the AT as an out-and-back hike in about 5.5 miles...there's a small parking lot for folks to park about 0.4 miles away.

There were SOOO many exciting things about this hike!  Though this was our third hike of 2015 (and I'll try to back track on the other hikes, as we were able to hike some real gems), this hike held many firsts for us.

First, it was our first section of the AT that we were hiking together.  In hindsight it probably wasn't the best timing for us to go, as it had rained the day before, and much of the trail was iced over.  But we braved it!  There are a lot of rocks that weren't icy that we were able to use to keep our balance.  Really only about 1/4 of the hike was icy, and on the way back, much of the ice had melted (thankfully).  Despite the ice, there was one major advantage to completing this hike in the winter: bare trees allowed us to see some amazing views from the trail.

The trail includes several ascending and descending stretches, which brought to another one of our hiking firsts: hiking into a new state!  We were able to cross from Virginia into West Virginia!  (I see all of your eyes rolling--yes, I'm easily amused).

Just a little beyond the state line, you come to Raven Rocks and a wonderful view!  It's the kind of view where you sit and just enjoy life.  It's wonderful to get out of the hustle and bustle of city life, and just enjoy the views and be with nature.

If you're in the area, it's definitely worth the time for the hike.  Soak up the sun, the views, and the peace you find here!

Happy 2015, and Happy Trails :)