Random Scenes

Random scenes along the Pinch In Trail and Rock Jock Trail.

This little pine was growing out of the top of a rock tower on the Pinch In Trail. I think it's a Table Mountain Pine.

Also taken on the Pinch In Trail, early in the morning when we first started the hike. The sky was overcast and it was quite chilly. Almost cold enough so that I was thinking of digging my gloves out of my backpack. This is a rock formation popular with rock climbers--might be one that they call "the Sphinx". Not sure.

The Sphinx, from Pinch In, but after the skies cleared and we were on our way up from the visit to Daffodil Flats.

Along the Rock Jock Trail you come to coves and side gorges with small streams and waterfalls. These were perfect habitat for hemlock groves before the adelgid started wiping them out. These areas were moist enough so that the fires in 2007 couldn't quite wipe out the vegetation in these spots. However, the hemlocks still died, but from aphid infestation.

The infested and dying hemlocks are beginning to fall over all around the gorge.

This little hemlock had succumbed, but is still holding on, dead though it is, to the rock atop which it had found purchase.

I never get tired of looking at the views of Table Rock and Hawksbill.

Telephoto shot of the summit of Table Rock Mountain.

This video was taken from the Rock Jock Trail not far from where it intersects with the Conley Cove Trail. Just wonderful views all along this section of that trail.