MST-85, in segment 5

Tomkins Knob Parking Area to the NC 16 crossover, eastbound

Monday, March 30. After church on Sunday we drove to the West Jefferson area and stayed two nights at this sweet Airbnb, located only two miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Our host left us homemade sourdough focaccia!

The goal for the trip was two days of hiking (11.8 and 9.5 miles), which would finish up Segment 5. The husband-shuttle dropped me off at Tomkins Knob parking area at 7am.

He spent the day birding at various locations. In a month there will be migratory warblers all over the parkway, but it was mostly the “winter mix” here in late March.

It’s been four months since my last MST hike, so I was a little nervous about getting back into it.

Wonderful views from the parkway, as usual.

Down along the creek I heard an early warbler! The Louisiana Waterthrush.

Upper Cascade Falls. The trail is closed to the lower falls.

The route hugged the Blue Ridge Parkway and crossed it several times.

Spring has just barely begun at this elevation.

I had no trouble finding my familiar hiking rhythm!

I don’t know why this is the “crest” of the Blue Ridge. It’s certainly not the highest point.

The only rock-hopping necessary in this 12-mile section.

I was pleased there were only two stiles to schlep myself over.

The route was wonderfully varied….BRP asphalt, pastureland, flat trails, sidehill traverses, gravel roads.

The only person I encountered all day was the man grading Blue Ridge Church Road.

At 9 miles I took a shoes-off, dry socks-on break. This makes the final miles so much more comfortable!

Lots of work has been done to re-open this segment of the MST. Thank you, trail crews!

I was at the NC 16 crossover by 1:30pm.

My ride pulled up just as I was crossing the bridge!

And here’s how we celebrated our day of hiking and birding!