Robertson Mountain December 2008
I know its the middle of December. So not only is it the middle of a shortened shopping season, but it’s COLD as crap outside. The whole shopping thing I didn’t mind about, I would much rather be outside than shopping any day. As for the cold I just purchased a new North Face Amplitude three season jacket and was looking forward to doing some torture testing on this piece of equipment. So I didn’t want it to be just cold, the high for Saturday was in the mid-forties, I wanted it to be really cold. And that means a trip to the mountains.
Robertson Mnt trail marker
I decided to head to my local mountain range in the Shenandoah National Park for an afternoon hike up a mountain. I didn’t want to do Old Rag this time, but I did picked a mountain in the same general area. I decided on Robertson Mountain which is the next mountain over from Old Rag. With it being the same height I knew it would be a challenge hiking up.
When I arrived at the mountain I was surprised to see about a dozen cars in the over flow lot, so much for getting a parking spot close to the trail head. I figured with the cold and being around Christmas fewer people would be willing to hike up the mountain, boy was I wrong. One of the people I ran into while hiking commented on seeing me. He was surprised to see someone else out hiking on such a perfect day.
snow atop Robertson Mountain
After almost a mile hike to the park entrance I started down the Weakley Hollow fire road till I got to the Robertson Mountain Trail head. I passed it on my last circuit hike of Old Rag and thought it would be a good alternative hike to Old Rag. Hiking up Robertson Mountain was almost straight up, definitely a steeper climb than Old Rag. It was disheartening every time I would look up the trail. Then when I looked behind me the trail just disappeared after 30′ or so. Once above 3,000′ or so there was snow on the ground. Just a light dusting, but snow non the less. This high up the mountain it never melted.
About 2:30 hours after starting my hike I made it to the summit of Robertson Mountain. Just off the trail was an obvious overlook spot that I walked to. I couldn’t wait to see what the view was like and I wanted to sit and take a break for a while. When I found the clearing the view was spectacular. On my right side across the valley was Sky Line Drive and to the left I was eye level with the summit of Old Rag. It was great to see that mountain for a different view. Nothing but rocks jetting out with little vegetation. I got a much better idea of just how bare the top of that mountain is.
I spent about 30 minutes just sitting on the rocks looking out. I was the only person up there so it was very peaceful and quite. The only sounds were a couple of black crows squawking every now and then and the rustle of the trees from the driving wind. Eating my lunch I solved all the problems of the world in the peace and tranquility. Unfortunately by the time I got down to the bottom of the mountain all the problems returned. Ugh, my work is never done.
Another great hike. I wouldn’t mind hiking up once when there is a few inches of snow on the ground. Have not only the top of the mountain but the entire valley covered in a fresh white blanket of snow. That would make for some great pictures.
summit of Robertson Mountain
