Compton Peak Hike - Shenandoah National Park

Photographs: © Lauren Johnson | Instagram: @laurenbexplorin_photography

(a photo gallery is at the end of the story)

I had been talking about how I haven't been hiking in a while, ever since winter kicked in. Every weekend I would think to myself, "damn I really wish I was on the top of a mountain right now." Finally I got tired of waiting, and decided to go on a nice short hike with the pups. I needed to find a new trail that wasn't going to be too long or too strenuous, so Compton Peak it is!

When we got to the park itself, I entered through the Front Royal entrance, and finally got the opportunity to take a photo with the “Shenandoah National Park” Sign. Once I got my photo, I decided it was a good idea to go ahead and purchase the annual pass for entry to the park. $55 Later and I was finally on my way to adventure!

I stopped at almost all of the scenic view points to look at the clouds bellowing over the mountain tops. It seemed as if I was on top of the world at that moment. Although it was just fog, I’d like to think I was higher up on that mountain than I really was. The dogs didn’t know what to think!

I finally got to the parking lot for the Compton peak trail, and got all my camera gear and my survival backpack ready, grabbed the pups and headed out. The view from the beginning looks kind of regular, nothing too spectacular. Once you get half way down the trail you start to see some giant boulders. They were magnificent, but I couldn’t climb them because the dogs would not have been able to make it up there, and I was by myself.

So, onward we go!

There were some beautiful rock steps we had to climb, then we found a ton of moss. I knew that i'd come back this way anyway, so decided to wait until I was on the way back to take photos of it. Then I really had to pee, so I walked a little ways off the trail, tied the dogs up to a tree, and popped a squat next to a large tree. Luckily no other hikers traveled by, because I soon realized that I did not go far enough off trail to be hidden from sight. Oops.

Once we got pretty close to the summit, the trail split into a 4-way pass. To the left, you have some boulders where Columnar Jointing has occurred, and to the right you have the view from the peak. I decided to go take photos of the scenery first, and I'm glad I did. The clouds rolled in soon after I was heading back to the trail intersection. The pups loved the view too! They kept looking out into the distance all mysteriously, like they were looking over their land on top of Pride Rock. I told them that "anything the light touches is yours" and they both wagged their tails with an abundant amount of joy.

When we went to see the Columnar Jointing, I was unaware that the hexagonal design was on the back side of the rocks, so unfortunately I didn't get to see it. However, I have seen something similar before anyway, The Giant's Causeway. Look it up, and go there. You won't regret it. However I do regret not walking around the damn boulder to the other side of it, something that simple will have me thinking about it for a while. I may have to go back just for that, as I don't like to miss out on stuff on trails I've already hiked. Either way, I climbed on a boulder and got an amazing snapshot of Ramsey laying her head in my hand. She is adorable as heck, but damn she can get on my nerves. Not today though, today was a great day.

On the way back down the mountain, we stopped at that moss patch, and I snapped some photos of what I think are some amazing close up shots of the tiny moss kingdom. The moss up close looks like very fine tiny little hairs, when in reality you never look that close, and you don’t get to see all that fine detail.

After we got back to the car, I loaded up the dogs in the backseat and took off their backpacks so they could relax comfortably on the rest of the ride down Skyline Drive. I also gave them some much needed water and a little snack. They were very grateful. I loaded up the car and headed on my way. My next stop, our favorite BBQ place in the world, a tradition we have after a nice long hike in Shenandoah specifically, The Barbecue Exchange.

Best. Brisket. Ever.

Until next time.

#hiking #shenandohanationalpark #nationalpark #littlestonyman #dogs