We started the hike at 8:15.  It was quite cool initially but in maybe a half hour we had warmed up enough to shed a layer.

We took Monument Trail to Hobbs Road and stayed on that until the merge with Blue Ridge Road.  Immediately after crossing the creek is the Hobbs Road “short cut” where we climbed 1500 feet in 1.5 miles.  We were told your goal should be to climb this section in less minutes than your age, and while we did not stay together we all accomplished this, so we were very happy indeed.

The top of Mt Sizer itself  (or what we thought was the top based on what appeared to be the highest point on Blue Ridge Rd) was very anticlimactic with no sign or bench.  We ended up sitting on some fallen trees to enjoy our lunches.

Next we continued on Blue Ridge Rd to Jackass Trail to Poverty Flat Road.  To our chagrin, soon after the Poverty Flat campground (around 10ish miles in) there was another significant uphill climb, over 1000 feet.

We all found this to be the most challenging peak thus far.  But as my friend stated, “the hike was tough but we were tougher!”

We had some wildlife sightings: 2 tarantulas, 2 snakes, 1 deer, 1 wild boar followed by a bunch of wild boar babies.