HUNGRY MOTHER STATE PARK

 NEW YEARS DAY HIKE AROUND THE LAKE

Hungry Mother State Park just outside of Marion Virginia is one of the most picturesque state parks I have visited.  Nestled in between small mountains is a lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.  We visited here a few years back to hike Molly's Knob and vowed to return to do the lake loop.  Molly's Knob Hike

The lake is on the shore of State Highway 16.  The highway between Marion and Tazewell, is known as the "Back of the Dragon".  It is a popular curvy highway across three mountain peaks driven by motor cyclists and sports car enthusiasts. Along the western shore of the lake is a beach, cabins and event venues.  It is a busy place during the summer as the lake is well used by canoes, kayaks and fishermen.  But on New Years Day, we had the place mostly to ourselves.

The sign on the trail told us that is was a six mile loop around the lake.  A moderate "leisurely" hike!  So we thought.  On a cold 32 degree morning we parked alongside Route 16 and proceeded in a clockwise direction toward the beach and cabin area.  Flakes of snow greeted us as we got near the cabins but appropriately attired for the weather, the Fat Bald Guy and his Faithful Hiking companion trudged on.  Looking across the lake, I could not see the "leisurely" trail and worried that those hills we saw to the east would have to be climbed!

One of the neat features of Hungry Mother State Park is an island with an ampitheater connected to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge. On New Years Day, we were the only people on that island, and one of no more than ten people in the entire park. 

From the banks of the island there were wonderful views of the length and breadth of this wonderful mountain lake.  I still kept looking for that "leisurely" moderate trail along the banks of the eastern shore of the lake...but still couldn't see it!

Not far from the island, we crossed the bridge for the road up to the Molly's Knob trailhead and hustled down a narrow trail. About the time we got even with the island on the other side of the lake, we discovered what I feared.  There was no "leisurely" moderate lakeside trail on the eastern side of the lake...instead is was a typical mountain hike up a pretty steep rock incline.  The well marked and maintained trail snaked up and down the small mountains and through every ravine of each stream that fed the Hungry Mother Lake. It was not a moderate trail, but it was a fair trek for News Year's Day for the Fat Bald White Guy and his Faithful Companion 

Gone were the picturesque views of the lake. In    fact we joked that this could not be a lake loop as we could not see a lake.  It was a hardy workout through Appalachian woods and caused me to consider the magnitude of the challenge for the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.  Carving a camp, a lake, a dam and all the logistics such an project requires from this wilderness is most impressive. In fact, the folks at the State Park converted a bunkhouse into a museum that chronicled the effort.  Be sure to check that out when you visit there.  What was left for us to see was the remnants of a dynamite shed. now turned into a camping spot.

Eventually the trail snakes around to the southeastern corner of the lake where there is a boat launch and pier.  It's deceptive as it made us think the hike was about over and there would be no more trudging up and down mountainsides...not true for as soon as we crossed the bridge to the other side of the lake, there was yet another hill to climb.  These were not as steep, but we were also quite tired knowing we had at least 2 more miles to trudge to get to our car.  But alas we perservered, our spirits kindled by occasional forest window views of the sun reflecting on cold snow mountainsides in the distance. 

We soon found ourselves on a muddy descent to the dam only to find that the trail did not cross the dam but snaked around the base of the dam.  We soon discovered the reason for this path was the presence of a the spillway.  A magnificent piece of engineering as the spillway is both very practical and very beautiful.   And besides it marked the begining of the last mile of our hike, so we thought! 

Turns out the trail was not six miles but in fact closer to seven. And if as we have learned anything it is that mountain miles feel so much longer than city miles. So as we trudged along nursing sore feet and chilly weather we paused to enjoy the beauty of the hillsides we just climbed.  The lake in the winter is just as pretty as it is in the summer.  Having the hike mostly to ourselves was also a treat. 

Rating the hike is pretty easy....the effort to view ratio is pretty good...the mountainside hike was challenging as it was long and at time strenuous.  It is still a hike most anyone can do, but it is not at all "leisurely". Access is easily a 10...the scenery a 9 only because so much of the hike is deep in the woods and you don't get a full view of the lake...well maintained and marked trail.  A solid 9+ venture.  Be sure to visit this place as it is easy to get to and a grand place to visit.

ADDENDUM

Shout out to Marion Virgina.  Not exactly NYC on New Year's Eve but a great small town to visit.  On the last night of 2023 we stayed at the historic General Francis Marion Hotel on the main drag, next to the iconic Lincoln Theatre home of PBS "Song of the Mountain"

We ate supper at Macado Restaurant which is in the old post office.  It is filled with wonderful eclectic artifacts of history and film and features a sumptous menu and ice cold beer.  That's about as much excitement as the Fat Bald White Guy and his Faithful Hiking Companion can handle these days...we left early only because the bar area was full of much younger and more local patrons than met our current demographics...or should I say geriatrics!

One of the most interesting aspects of local lore displayed in Macado's was the story of the bearded lady. Annie Jones was born in Marion Virgina in 1865 and was rented out to P.T Barnum when she was but a baby.  Here story is told in this link: The Bearded Lady

This picture was of interest to us as one of my son's best friends is a dead ringer for the bearded lady.  When you visit make sure you have a drink to the Bearded Lady of Marion Virginia....it has to be good luck on New Years Eve!

We enjoyed the last sunset of 2023 on Walker's Mountain. 

 "In the quiet of the evening, we reflect on the year's journey, grateful for the memories painted in the canvas of the setting sun"- Mortimer Peabody

The Fat Bald White Guy and his Faithful Hiking Companion have been hiking for over a decade now.  This blog has had over 225,000 views!  I am humbled to know that our journeys have brought smiles, and curiosity to the reader.  If it has made you get out and enjoy God's creation, then our goal has been accomplished.  If you have marveled at our pictures, all I can do is quote Jamey Johnson, "you shoulda seen it in color" Hopefully, our trail reviews have been helpful. For truthfully, if the Fat Bald White Guy can do the hike...so can you!  See you on the trails in 2024!