The House Mountain hike near Lexington Virginia is really two out-and-back hikes in one. Big House Mountain, with great views to the west, and Little House Mountain, with its punishing direct climb to the ridge, and spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley to the northeast. The 950 acre House Mountain Preserve was purchased in 1989 through the efforts of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and many local residents. The area is now owned by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. Hannah Wildman of Salem and Christopher Doupnik of Roanoke and his dog Trooper braved winds, snow and ice covered trails to capture the beauty of the area on this pre-New Year's Eve hike.