The weather wasn’t sunny on Sunday, but it didn’t rain, so David and I decided to do a short day hike to break in his new Leki Antishock poles I got him for his birthday last month. We decided on Little Greenbrier Trail up to Laurel Falls Trail and back down. An easy day hike, coming in at 8.6 miles and gaining 2000 feet.
This trailhead is just inside the Metcalf Bottoms area of the park with the parking area just inside the boundary line. The trail itself skirts the boundary, so you’re in and out of the park several times during this hike. The first 1.9 miles only gain about 400’ and afford some really nice views down into Wear Cove. We passed a few boundary markers and weaved in and out of the park for a while before coming up to our first trailhead at Wear Gap. From here, you can walk an easy 0.6 miles down to the Walker Sister’s Cabin or you can go straight up to the Laurel Falls Trail. We took a short break and did just that. Of note, there is also an unmaintained trail here that runs down into an old settlement called Buckeye Springs. We’ll save that adventure for another day.
The climb got a little steeper for this next section of trail, but the climb was never difficult. Almost the entire way to the top we had views down into Wear Cove through the practically leaf-less trees. We climbed a good switchback and were at the Laurel Falls Trail for a break and a snack. We saw the only people we’d see all day shortly after arriving to the trailhead, wearing blue jeans and matching red athletic gear jackets and tennis shoes. We had our snacks and began the downhill portion of our hike. I got to take a nice trip, slipping and nearly falling down off the side of the trail, but it was good for a laugh. We made it back down the hill, to the trailhead, and back to our car in less than 4 hours.
It was definitely nice to do an easier trip with David. His trekking poles worked great and he’s pretty much in love with them. I highly recommend antishock poles if you’re in the market for some.