Hiked out to the St. Mary's Falls by way of the St. Mary's River Trail and found that there is no visible damage to this area from the fire last week. I did find fire damage to the area East and North of the St. Mary's river and the river did provide a barrier to the fires advance in several areas.
Visible damage to the moutain peaks of Little Spy Mountain, Big Spy Mountain, and the western side of Long Drive Mountain can be seen from the trail but photos from a distance shows little. Fire damage near the river is mostly burnt leaves, dead wood, and brush. It appears that the fire was more intense as you go up the mountain and I did not enter this area yet for it is still closed and would be better seen by way of trails from the top via the Blue Ridge Parkway...
The St. Mary's River is running strong from all of the recent rains we have had and the Falls looks great and very clean. As you proceed up the river from the parking area fire damage is visible on the Eastern side of the river up to the junction where the Sugar Tree Branch stream enters and deposits into the river. From this point up to the Falls there is no visible fire damage and hope to hike up the Sugar Tree branch soon to look at the damage in that area.
Had to cross over the river twice during the hike and found the water temp to be 41f degrees with few easy crossings along the hike. Passed two hiker\campers during the hike as well as a fly-fisherman already entering the area.
It will be interesting to watch this area and monitor the recovery of the environment damaged by the fire...
6 comments:
Our family would like to get out and do this hike soon! What does "few easy crossings" mean? That you had to make a few crossings but they were easy, or that there were very few places that you could get across.
"Easy Crossings" if you don't mind getting your feet wet. The river is shallow in places and in fact you can step rock to rock inplaces with only stepping into 6" of water once or twice. I did not find anyplace that you could cross without stepping into the water somewhat.
This is wilderness area so trail changes are not allowed and I have seen the crossings change numerous times over the years depending how the river changes direction. Good hike and no real elevation changes. Many nice water pools along the way and the falls are nice to see...
Enjoy
Thanks!
recently made the hike to the top and the trail was washed out pretty bad. You can still get to the top. Where the trail had washed out we just waded up the river. It really is beautiful and a great place to swim.
Fire damage into such area must be remedied outright.
I agree. It is a wildernes area but with care and caution much damage could have been prevented
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