Raven Rocks... Again

Six years ago I hiked Raven Rocks and finally decided to try it again last weekend.  The trail head was only about 30 minutes from me, so I really had no excuse.  The hike is 5.5 miles and 1530 feet elevation gain.  It's normally more than I might want to do after 4.5-6 hours of Jiu-Jitsu, but that week I only went to class once so I was pretty well rested and up for a harder hike than usual.  I feel I had a much easier time all around than before, at the very least more prepared.  I had no problems finding the trail head, and has a better idea what to expect on the trail from the trail maps.  For some reason I remembered the trail quite differently though, which was a bit weird.  I enjoyed this hike more than last time.  The trail is somewhat I remarkable, but it wasn't bad at all. Nothing nasty for Millie to get into.  It was also a pleasant day and I enjoyed the walk in the woods.  I even met an elderly couple who was section hiking about 60-miles of to Harpers Ferry (perhaps from Front Royal).  I chatted with the wife on the way up and saw them again on my way back since they were going quite slowly.  Like the guy I met on Hollow Brook Trial, she made the through-hiking idea quite doable.  Possibly even with Millie.  The only part of the Appalachian Trail (which this trail is part of) that you can't bring a dog on is through the Smokey Mountains.  As much as I'd like to take Millie on such an adventure, I don't see myself getting 6 months off while she is young enough to do this.

The view at the top was much better than I remembered it from before.  The photos I had didn't do it much justice either.  The trail was also just right.  It had just enough ups and downs to give me a really good work out, but it was not so challenging that I'd be exhausted at the end.  This would be one I would like to do often to keep my hiking legs up and get some fresh air.