Audie Murphy Monument Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Southwest Virginia
Description: On May 28, 1971, Audie Murphy, the most decorated US soldier in World War II, died in an airplane crash on the slopes of Brush Mountain, near Blacksburg, VA. Three years later, the Veterans of Foreign Wars placed a stone monument near the site of the crash. In 1991, the Appalachian Trail was rerouted to the top of Brush Mountain and past the Audie Murphy Monument.
Total Distance:
1.5 miles
Location/Directions:
Brush Mountain, Craig/ Roanoke Counties. From Blacksburg, take Main Street to Mount Tabor Road (Route 624). Go 12 miles just past Route 650. Turn left onto Forest Service Road P188.1 (graveled). Go 1.8 miles and turn right at the top of Brush Mountain. Go another 1.6 miles to the gated parking lot. From there, it is ½ mile hike to the monument
Difficulty:
Easy
Elevation Gain: 3100 feet
The Hike:
The monument may be approached in several ways. For those wanting only a short walk, you may drive up Brush Mountain, but be prepared for a winding, graveled road. The road ends at the parking lot and from there it is an easy ½ mile hike to the monument. After viewing the monument, take the short trail to the rocky overlook to get beautiful views of the Craig Creek Valley.
