Bake Oven Knob on the Appalachian Trail

I know I did this hike some 20 years ago, and I wasn't much better at scrambling over rocks then, than I am now. Hiking poles did help, but I had to say, it was way more strenuous that I remembered and after an hour, I finally turned around and went back to the parking lot. I was scouting for my weekly Community College hiking group and knew that several people would not find rock scrambling fun.

The HIke from the Parking Lot up to the Bake Oven Knob Lookout is quite easy. The path is minimally rocky and not very steep. And the lookout is fantastic. It's just .6 miles one way, so it only takes 10 minutes or so to get up there. But then you hit the boulder piles immediately and I never got through them to the tamer side.

The dog loved scampering over them, but then she had someone who picked her up and lowered her down when they got too high or far apart.

I've posted some pictures so you can see exactly what I mean. I think the lookout is worth going to see, but you might want to plan some other walks in the area to add to your exercise. The Wildlife Information Center is nearby, just off 248 where it goes over the bridge with 145. You turn left, if you're coming from the South, and you take the first hairpin turn on your left after the bridge and ride back a gravel road to the center. (There is a sign at the hairpin turn.)

The Wildlife Center has several trails and links with the D and R Rail Trail and the Appalachian Trail.But our group will be hiking the Osprey Trail on Sunday. I'll post some more pictures then.

I want to thank Clara for leading the way, taking pictures and even carrying puppy when she got pooped.