Appalachian Trail to the Jump Off

5/12/15 I have no idea why they call this the Jump Off, but it sure is beautiful! This trail starts at Newfound Gap, and goes north along the Appalachian Trail for a couple of miles.  It is very rocky and rugged, and mostly uphill.  Eventually you come to the small trail to the Jump Off, which is shorter  but more steep and rocky.  The view is certainly worth it!  Plus it's downhill on the way back!

I was not expecting to see wildflowers on this trail.  It was really too late for most of the spring wildflowers, but we were at a higher elevation, so spring comes a bit later.  These are fringed phacelias, but we also saw red trillium, violets, spring beauties, and many others.

This grouse was in the trail, and was in no hurry to leave.  We thought it was a pretty bad place to build a nest, but what do we know?