Archive for the ‘Southwest Virginia’ Category
High Water Trail Loop
Posted by Chris | Filed under Appalachian Trail, Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: The High Water Trail and a section of the Appalachian Trail combine to form a loop. A half mile walk on Rt. 615 will return hikers to their starting point. The lower section of the trail follows the Appalachian Trail up the Little Wolf Creek drainage. this is a scenic section of trail which crosses the Creek many times (trail should not be taken during heavy periods of rain.) The upper section of the loop is a blue blazed section of the A. T. used during heavy rainy season. This section runs along the top of Brushy Mountain.
Total Distance: 6.75 miles
Location/Directions: From I-77 in Bland: Take Rt. 52 west for 3.25 miles to Rt. 615. Take Rt. 615 north for 2.75 miles to parking lot on left (near road bridge). Take A. T. to west across Laurel Creek on log bridge. Total travel distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 2400 to 3100 feet
Crawfish and Channel Rock Trails
Posted by Chris | Filed under Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: This trail starts in Crawfish Valley, crosses Bear Creek and climbs to the top of Brushy Mountain. It follows the ridge line of Brushy Mountain along the Tennessee Valley along the Tennessee Valley Divide for about 4 miles until it descends through Channel Rock Hollow back into the Crawfish Valley and returns to the parking lot. Terrain varies from the creek bottom land to the dry ridges. There are excellent opportunities to see wildlife along the trail due to this isolated location. The trail is blazed with orange diamond shape markers and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horse back riders.
Total Distance: 10 miles
Location/Directions: From I-81 Rural Retreat exit: Take Rt. 680 north for 2.5 miles to Rt. 625. Follow Rt. 625 for 4 miles to intersection with FS 227. Take FS 227 for 2 miles to gate and parking.
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 2500 to 3300 feet
Rice Fields Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Appalachian Trail, Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: The Appalachian Trail ascends Peters Mountain and follows the ridge line. The crest of the Peters Mountain ridge is the West Virginia-Virginia state line. The ascent to the ridge is steep and rocky. Once on the ridge the trail crosses many saddles and peaks featuring sweeping westward views. The Rice Fields are extensive open pastures with rock outcroppings and are located on the southern end of Peters Mountain.
Total Distance: 5 miles one way
Location/Directions: Access: From Blacksburg, follow Rt 460 west. Cross the New River on Senator Shumate Bridge near the Celanese industrial site. Turn right on Rt 641 (Stillhouse Branch Road). There is a small parking lot within one half mile, where the Appalachian Trail crosses Rt 641. total travel distance: 23 miles.
Difficulty: Very Steep
Elevation: 1700-3400 feet
Ribble Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: Beginning at the upper trailhead, follow the blue blazes past cabin. The trail begins in upland hardwoods; a small stream is on the left. the trail crosses through several white pine groves and rhododendron thickets. This area is noted for its wide variety of mushrooms in spring and fall. The trail ends at a red gate on VA 201. This trail can form a loop with the AT, returning you to your vehicle.
Total Distance: 2 miles one way
Location/Directions: Access: From Blacksburg, follow VA 460 to Pearisburg. Take VA 100 to VA 42 (10 miles). Follow VA 42 for 10 miles. Turn left on VA 606. Go 1 mile, then turn right onto VA 201, just past a little store. Go 5 miles. The road makes a 90 degree turn. Lower trail head is at red gate in turn. Upper trail head is further up VA 201 at the turn off to Honey Springs Cabin. Total travel distance: 43 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate to steep
Elevation: 2500-3800 feet
Johns Creek Mountain Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: Beginning on VA 601, the ascent on the Appalachian Trail to the Johns Creek Mountain Trail is a steady uphill grade for less than half mile. This is the most difficult section of the trail. At the top of the grade, Johns Creek Mountain Trail veers off to the east. The trail follows the ridge line out to VA 658, crossing several peaks and saddles along the way. There are a number of outcroppings and scenic vistas. The mountain is an area of abundant wildlife.
Total Distance: 4 miles one way
Location/Directions: Western Trailhead: From Blacksburg, take VA 460 west to VA 42, turn right onto VA 42 and proceed 1 mile. Turn left onto VA 601 and go 7 miles to the intersection of VA 601 and the Appalachian Trail. Total travel distance: 15.5 miles.
Eastern Trailhead: From Blacksburg, take VA 460 west to VA 42, turn right onto VA 42 and proceed 9.5 miles to VA 658. The trailhead is on VA 658 at the crest of the mountain. Total travel distance: 16 miles.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Elevation: 3300 feet
Audie Murphy Monument Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
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.
Angels Rest Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Roanoke/New River Valley, Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: The Appalachian Trail ascends the northern end of Pearis Mountain. At the top, the Angels Rest Trail (a blue-blazed trail) leads 50 yards to view rock, with views of the New River Valley, Pearisburg, and Peters Mountain on the left; Butt Mountain at the center right; and Bald Knob at the extreme right. The trail passes through many thickets of rhododendron and azalea on top of the mountain. Follow the trail around the edge of Pearis Mountain to a rock ledge overlooking Wilburn Valley and the mountains to the east.
Total Distance: 3 mile round trip
Location/Directions: From Blacksburg, follow VA 460 west to VA 100 at Pearisburg. Turn right onto Johnston Avenue (Beside the Dairy Queen). Take the next right onto VA 634 (Morris Avenue) and follow approximately 1/2 mile to where the Appalachian Trail crosses VA 634. There is limited roadside parking. Total travel distance: 21 Miles.
Difficulty: Steep
Elevation Gain: 2000-3550 Feet
Jackson Trail
Posted by Chris | Filed under Southwest Virginia, Trail Information
Description: The Jackson Trail is located on Oliver Mountain in northwestern Allegheny County
Total Distance: 1 Mile
Location/Directions: From Route 220 heading north from Covington, turn left onto Route 687. Then turn left onto Route 641/666. At the Lake Moomaw Recreation Area entrance, keep left onto Route 666. At the “T” intersection, turn left and travel south for about 0.8 mile. Turn right onto FDR 192 (a gravel road), and travel on a right-of-way through private land for about 0.9 mile. The Jackson Trail will be on the left, uphill side of the parking area on FDR 192 at the National Forest Boundary line, just before a Forest Service gate.
Difficulty: More Difficult
Finding the Trailhead: The trail begins on FDR 192 as described above.
The Hike: The trail is a steep connector trail to the Oliver Mountain Trail with 800 feet of elevation gain over one mile, an arduous climb. The trail is well marked, wide, and in good condition.
On winter days the view is impressive. The surrounding mountains and valleys are a beautiful backdrop with views north and south. Lake Moomaw is visible from points along the upper portion of the trail.
Used with the upper part of the Oliver Mountain Trail and the upper part of FDR 192, a 4.4-mile loop back to the trailhead parking area is possible. Alternatively, The Jackson Trail can be used to connect via the Oliver Mountain Trail (a right turn) which descends gradually 1400 feet over about 4.0 miles to its trailhead at the Fortney Branch Boat Launch on Lake Moomaw.
See also the Oliver Mountain Trail for more details on possible hikes combining these two trails.
Another alternative parking spot is at the end of FDR 192.
