35 weeks pregnant and little did I know this would be the last outing before we welcomed Taylor into the world.
We travel to Montebello, VA and arrived in the area of Hog Camp Gap located off Wiggins Spring Rd. This time we chose the correct trailhead for the Cole Mountain hike. Back in November 2019 Blake and I accidentally hiked the Henry Lanum Loop (I am still not 100% convinced that it was an “accident”).
Cole Mountain/AT Hike;
Elevation gain: approximately 500 feet
Distance: 4.6 miles
The kids were very excited for the hike despite the very cloudy weather. The ascent to Cole Mountain has an elevation gain of approximately 500 feet with limited switch backs.
We made it to the top of Cole Mountain! No complaints from the kids, I was feeling pretty good and Blake was fine. The kids did fantastic and we were so proud of them. To date this is the highest elevations gain they have hiked.
We located the benchmark – 4,033 feet above sea level. We explained to the kids all about benchmarks and answered any questions they had about the benchmarks.
We enjoyed snacks while at the summit of Cole mountain, took pictures and of course the kids needed to use the bathroom. We had to explain to them how to use the bathroom in the wilderness. The result was semi-successful and pretty funny. They came back and told us about their experiences haha. We explored the area a little more and began our descent down the mountain.
I posed in front of Mount Pleasant since we summited Mount Pleasant a couple months before.
Blake thought it would be funny for me to lay on my back for another picture since my belly looked like the mountain………. I complied and thought it was pretty funny.
We had fun on our descent down the mountain and the kids even stopped to assist in holding up a boulder….
We made it back to the car and concluded out hike. We were super proud of the kids for all completing the hike and not complaining. They told us how much they enjoyed it and asked to go hiking with us again.
Since we were in the area, Blake and I took the kids to Staton’s Creek Falls. This is the waterfall Blake has been going to since he was 13 years old. The falls have a natural waterslide and wadding area. The kids played in the river that leads to the falls and then Blake went down the falls and the kids thought it was awesome. I would have but it would not be the best decision as far along as I am.
Before leaving George Washington National Forest, Blake and I posed for an obligatory photo with the sign.
We grabbed dinner at the kids favorite – Blue Mountain Brewery on the way home.
We had a fantastic day hike with the kids!
Nic of Time - Travel 