A little over a week ago we had our second gathering to Come Hike With Me: Potato Patch.
There’s something interesting about this place, as the descriptions and pictures online do it no justice. It’s hard to find the location unless you’ve been there before, a pull-off just to the right, about a mile or so past where Pumping Station Road and 322 meet. Many people have heard of it, or by a different name, and I couldn’t remember who had told me about it in the first place.
A short trail brings you to massive, unrelenting boulders. Unlike a boulder field as I had anticipated, these were large, cascading boulders that crumbled down the hillside. Undeterred, aside from our dogs, we perched, picked and grasped our way to the top. Caverns, crevices and holes lie below, making me unsettled as I have this acute fear of heights. I watched as we all dispersed, the hikers with the dogs taking the less treacherous path toward the left, albeit through a bit of brush. One of our friends, local to the area and familiar with Potato Patch, picked his way up to the top with ease. Others took their time, taking a breath to stretch in the sun and take in the wonder of it all.
For the more adventurous, there are caves to explore, however I recommend going with someone who is well versed in the area, as I saw my brand new water bottle fly down somewhere into the abyss, never to be found again. (This would be an unfortunate fate for a human.)
Once at the top of the first patch of boulders, you can make your way towards the right and follow a trail up to a further grouping of boulders.
As always, going down was a bit easier than going up, this time the trail made itself a bit clearer.
This hike is not for the faint at heart, it’s best to leave your dogs at home and make sure all your possessions are secure before climbing.
-
- Coffee time.
-
- We’re ready!
-
- The trailhead.
-
- Starting up.
-
- And up.
-
- A well earned snack at The Bull’s Head Tavern.