Off Trail - Cat Stairs + Greenbriar Pinnacle

Distance: 10-12
Date:  4/6/2013

Today's hike was an "off trail" adventure in the Greenbrier area.  I went the the GSHAG meetup group.  We left several cars at the Ramsey's cascade trailhead, but actually started the hike farther down the road to Ramsey's.  The trail was unmarked, but it was a trail and was easy to follow for the 1st couple miles.  Eventually, we made a turn onto a much less well marked trail and started up the side of the mountain.  Along the way we passed a small cemetery where 3 young children from a family were buried.  At the cemetery, the trail got very feint.  While facing the cemetery, you do a 180 turn and head into the woods.  Shortly thereafter, an old home site sits next the the trail.  Part of the chimney was about all that remained.


The trail continued directly behind the chimney.  From that point, there was lots of climbing until you reach a cliff that you must climb up.  There are 3 sections in the climb.  It was a difficult climb, but I didn't feel in danger at any time.


On top of the mountain, the ruins of an old firetower made a beautiful place for lunch.  
Along the trail there were also 3 or 4 overlooks that gave impressive views of the valley below.

The walk down to Ramsey's spent a lot of time in a Rhododendron forest that made the hiking a little slow. I was constantly ducking and twisting to avoid the plants. There were also a number of trees across the trail that we had to crawl over. Eventually the trail opened up and the hiking was easy.


The trail came out on the Ramsey's Cascade gravel road.  The final mile or so was on this road.

Gorgeous  day and a challenging hike made for a very enjoyable day.

Start: 9:00
Lunch at the Firetower:  1:15
Finish:  4:15