Pinnacle Rock

Sunday morning, we woke up a broke camp.  Before leaving Camp Creek State Park, we wanted to make another visit to Campbell Falls.  It had rained quite a bit overnight and wouldn't be crowded first thing in the morning.  I scrambled down to the base for a couple pictures.

Then I went back up to the top, which I thought was the most interesting part of this one.  There was more water flowing but it was possible to walk around the top of the falls.  Most of the water was rushing through deep, narrow cracks in the rock.

It's not a big waterfall, but really interesting.  After some pictures, we departed the park and headed to Pinnacle Rock State Park.  Pinnacle Rock, the park's namesake, was right next to the parking area.

First, we hiked the short Overlook Trail and climbed up to the overlook.  The views here looking south into Virginia were really beautiful.

After some pictures, we headed back down and got on the Homestead Trail.  The trail descended steeply via switchbacks.  There were some Jack-o-Lantern mushrooms growing along the trail.

At the bottom, we turned on Turkey Rock Trail and passed an old home site.

There was some white bergamot blooming by the home site.

Continuing on the trail, I spotted some common chicory.

The trail looped around back and then we made the steep climb back up.  There was another smaller rock outcrop by the picnic area.

Before leaving, I hiked the Falling Rock Trail that led along the base of Pinnacle Rock.

It really gave perspective to how big Pinnacle Rock is.

The trail ended at US-52 and I turned around and headed back to the car.

From here, we headed south in Virginia and parked at a small parking and picnic area along US-52 for a hike along the Appalachian Trail in Jefferson National Forest.  From the highway, the AT followed a gravel road at first.

There were a number of wildflowers blooming along here.

Soon we came to a powerline clearing with great views of the surrounding mountains.

Shortly after the clearing, the AT split from the road and became a singletrack trail.

There were some white bergamot blooming along here.

We hiked a total of about 3 miles to a spot with a beautiful open view.

On the hike back, we went a little slower to enjoy the summer wildflowers.

A pipevine swallowtail was on the knapweed.

White wood aster has pretty white flowers.

And there were a few orange jewelweed blooming as well.

We finished the hike back at the parking and started making our way home.