Mendota - A view of God's Creation - Jan 1st

[J-Man]

Well today after I got my wifes car running" and I have to give God all the Glory for that repair" A few of us decided to go up to the Mendota tower around 2:00. Some of the group had never been and me and a buddy usually make an annual trip , so we decided it was a good time to go. Here are some pictures we got from there. If you have never been. You should go, It is absolutey beautiful and a awesome way to see God's creations. The highlight of the day was spending some time with my cousin who is like a brother before he leaves out tomorrow to Ft. Hood then on to Iraq.

http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530363.JPG
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530364.JPG
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530365.JPG
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530366.JPG
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530369.JPG
http://www.4x4grace.com/Coppermine/albums/userpics/10032/SD530371.JPG

[tjrockcrawler]

Thanks for posting.....

I have been up to the tower several times. I love the view up there.

[Adurbin]

Yes, this is one of my favorite places in SW VA. There is no comparison to the view up there. Did you all ride the trail or hike?? Good luck to your cousin, and I will be praying for him.

[Gordon]

Oh, saaahhwweeeeet! That is beautiful - A lot like Paint Creek and Horse Creek views.

[Andy's01]

George....all I can say is "WOW"! Those are awsome pics...thanks for sharing them.

[Hokie_YJ]

Beautiful view! We need to have a Grace hiking trip up there. I bet it was COOOOOOLLLD up there today! :shock:

[Adurbin]

Wee NO NEED HIKE. DA TRAIL DAT LEADS UP THERE IS SCHWEET!!!

Check out some of the pics of the trail in this link.

http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8320

[Hokie_YJ]

I need the exercise though.... :laughing1:

[J-Man]

We hiked it. the trail at the bottom is the worst part of the trail. It looked very much doable if hung over to the right side. I was going to get some pictures but forgot. We ran arcross a car at the bottom of the trail that looked to have been stolen had something jammed in the ignition and the tags where 2 months outdated. I noticed that the rotors where very rusted so thought that it had been setting there awhile. My buddy called the authorities to let them come look at it and determine what was going on with it. There was no one to be found around the tower to be driving the car either. The authorities got there as we where leaving. If the car hadnt have been in the way we may have tried to take the trail. There is plenty of parking area at the crest of the mountain to park if you want to hike the trail. It is roughly a 50 mile round trip from Bloomingdale area of Kingsport. It was very cold up there today. The wind was something else too. :shock:

[BillM]

This is where they go to do the Golden Eagle count for this area.

[Dino1967]

very nice

[tjrockcrawler]

This is where they go to do the Golden Eagle count for this area.

You are correct.

Last time Aaron and I were up there, we talked to a bird watcher. He was telling us that in recent years they counted as many as 1000 hawks, eagles, osprey and other birds of prey in a one hour window.

Apparently there is something about this one particular section of the ridge that they all migrate through, when heading south. So be sure to check this place out the first two weeks of Sept.

[dogbluedrummer]

With a view like that, I have to go!
Who's up for a run this weekend? Sunday afternoon?

[BillM]

I might could be talked into this.

[J-Man]

I could go more than likely. I love this place. Its an awesome spot.

[BillM]

There is no way we could get more than 2-3 rigs at the top and turn around though.

[tjrockcrawler]

yeah 3-4 rigs would be the max I would recommend.

I'm up for it.

[dogbluedrummer]

Looks like some of us will have to leave our rigs at the bottom. Is this safe? Now, should we leave the stockers at the bottom, or the lifted rigs? Maybe we could build an oversized skateboard jump for the first part. :twisted:

[Gordon]

Started a separate thread for this next run for you guys.

http://www.4x4grace.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=8747