It's been a wet and warm fall so far, but the temps have dropped and the colors are popping out. The view east from Ediths Gap was outstanding, especially with a trail of thick mist following the Shenandoah River below. The views from Kennedy Peak were also outstanding. The viewing stand atop the shelter gives great views in all directions. Views to the West were great, as the yellow and red were mixed in with the green of the hardwood forest.
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This would have been a lovely, moderately difficult hike any other times, but the amount of rain we've had all summer turned the trails into streams. Of the 13 miles I registered, I'd say 10 of them were flooded with running water. While mostly shallow, probably 1-3 inches, there were some sections where I was in up to my knees in mud and muck. It was literally like walking through a creek. Fun at first but it got old.
Otherwise the trail seemed like it would normally be quite nice. You walk along the stream for the first part of it and the water is a good backdrop. Slow and steady incline, nothing too terrible. Once you get up towards Middle Mountain it gets rocky but otherwise the trail is mostly packed dirt and mud (that I could tell). Views aren't great with the foliage up. Bunch of nice looking campsites every 3-4 miles too.
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