It was a strenuous climb up Salamander trail with the occasional switchback, but usually it was just another long leg up requiring fairly frequent stops to catch one’s breath.  After a mile and quarter, the path became a gentle, manageable climb.  I then came upon the Appalachian Trail and then a very short distance to Byrd’s Nest #2 shelter and signs for the Hawksbill overlook.  The overlook was fairly elaborate with nice stone work and cement.  Also there were two brass compasses embedded with a moveable dial so you could line up the dial with a distance object and the compass would tell you what that peak or city was in the distance. 

There weren’t many people at the top while I was there so it was like having the tallest peak in Shenandoah, 4,051 ft., all to one’s self.  Just beautiful views on a crisp autumn-like day in late August.  The hike down meander to the edge of a cliff and then back several times before descending down the AT and then Lower Hawksbill Trail.  This time the trail was less steep but a little longer, which was fine by me.  Total hike was around 3 miles and about 2.5 hours.