The first (and possibly only) significant snowfall of the season came in early January, before the students returned from winter break. We made our way to the Virginia Tech campus just after the clouds had cleared and the snow was still fresh.

The following day we hiked to Hanging Rock, where we enjoyed an amazing 360-degree view of the snowy landscape, despite temperatures in the teens and wind gusts of over 40 mph. The two-mile round-trip hike was difficult with the snow drifts and bitter cold, but it was worth it!

Photo dates: January 7 and 8, 2017.

Our next hike to War Spur was easy by comparison. It’s an easy hike in general, and there was little elevation gain and no drifting snow. There was, however, a bit of snow still left from a few days prior, which made for a more interesting winter hike.

Photo date: February 4, 2017.

The following week, we hiked to the Cascades, one of the most popular hikes in the region. It’s a four mile round-trip hike that’s relatively easy. (For a longer, more strenuous hike, keep going after the Cascades an additional two miles to Barney’s Wall.) The lower trail itself is beautiful and ends at a stunning waterfall. Like War Spur, it’s a hike that’s great in any season, but due to its popularity, it’s a busy trail, particularly in the fall, and the parking lot can fill up early in the morning.

Photo date: February 11, 2017.