Here are few shots of our first hike. We parked in the Jone's Run parking area at MP #84. Our hike started on a small section of the Appalachian Trail, then we took Browns Gap Road to Doyles River Trail and finally finished Jone's Run Trail. Bring us in a full loop back to our car. On this route we saw 3 spectacular waterfalls. Upper Doyles Waterfall, Lower Doyles Waterfall, as well as, Jone's Run Falls. The first half of the hike was downhill and easy going. Coming back up the trail to the parking lot, from Jone's Run Falls, was a little much for a beginner like myself. It was fairly steep and rocky. I wasn't overly exhausted or fatigued, I just got a bit winded. We pushed through and made it back to the parking lot feeling accomplished and excited to plan our next hike.
I'll be honest and let y'all know, I did fall a few times. Let me say black ice is NO JOKE, even on rocks. There was a thin layer of ice on some gravel sized rocks that I didn't see. It took my right foot out from under me and my left knee hit the ground. All I could do was laugh and get back up. The second time I fell; my legs were getting tired and I didn't lift my foot high enough the clear a pretty large rock on the trail and I fell forward. Again, I just got up and laughed at myself. I hope y'all a few of our pictures.
Those beautiful "White Blazes" of the AT
River Crossing
Upper Doyles Waterfall
Lower Doyles Waterfall
Jone's Run Waterfall
Icy Moss
Icy Run-off
Beautiful Sun Rays
Big Rock
