Rock Castle Gorge & Mabry Mill

Saturday, we took Alex to Virginia for a weekend of hiking and wildflowers.  We left early and arrived at the lower trailhead for Rock Castle Gorge Trail in Rocky Knob Recreation Area.  With a light rain, it wasn't too crowded when we arrived just after 9.  Rocky Castle Gorge Trail is a loop, but we were only hiking the part where we expected to see the most wildflowers along the fire road.  Near the start, we saw a little red eft newt along the trail.

There were a lot of striped cream violets along this lower part of the trail.

There were a lot of irises, but most were well past peak.  We did spot a a few jack in the pulpits.

The may apples were flowering as well.

After a mile or so, we crossed Rock Castle Creek on a footbridge and then passed by the Austin House.  There were two more creek crossings and then we stayed on river right side for the rest of the road.  In about 2.5 miles, the trail crossed a tributary at Rock Castle Cascades.

Even in fairly high water, the stream was too small to make much of a waterfall.  It's pretty high but the upper section is very overgrown.

Near the waterfall, some blue violets were flowering.

The trail split off from the fire road and crossed the creek one last time.  We hiked as far as Bare Rocks about a half-mile from the split.  Some beautiful showy orchis were flowering along this section.

This short section has some of the best wildflowers, with hillsides of trillium.

There were a lot of wild geranium blooming near Bare Rocks.

There were a few patches of fire pink.

But the trillium really steals the show!

On the hike back, we stopped some large-flowered bellwort.

The hike back was all downhill and went quickly.

From here, we took VA-8 up to the parkway and made a quick stop at Rock Castle Gorge Overlook.

Then we continued a few more miles to Mabry Mill.

The old mill was really beautiful in the spring.  We took turns checking out the inside as pets are not allowed in.

Then we toured around the grounds to see some of the other historical buildings and artifacts.

The lumber drying racks were used to dry wood produced in the mill.

The millraces that channel water to the mill and power the waterwheel snaked all throughout the property.

We really enjoyed our visit, despite the light rain.  In fact, the rain made it even more photogenic and kept the crowds away.

From here, we made our way to Floyd.

After checking in to the Pine Tavern Lodge, we went to Mickey G's Italian for dinner.  Back at the room, we watched a nice sunset from the back porch.