Hyatt Ridge

The hike begins on Beech Gap Trail off Straight Fork Road and ascends to Hyatt Ridge before descending back down on a different drainage. In all it's a tidy 8 mike hike. I took Beth. It was unusual because I almost never hike with anyone. I had gotten used to the solitary nature of the hikes. Beth talked a lot, and it was nice company. The highlight of the hike is that on the far side of Hyatt Ridge the trail enters virgin forest. It's a striking departure from the normal second growth, which is all hardwood. The old growth is a dense mix of hardwoods and evergreens, mostly balsams. Beautiful day.