The Duncan Knob Hollow hike is essentially the same circuit as the Duncan Knob Hike, except starting from the other side of Middle Mountain. This hike is also longer, with several excellent multi-tent camping sites, and is accessible in the winter and late spring months when FDR674/VA211 is closed.
Start south on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail as it winds along the valley on the east side of Little Passage Creek. Cross a small wooded footbridge placed over one of the side streams, and come to the first of three crossing points on Little Passage Creek in 0.7 miles.
After crossing Little Passage Creek, pass the second campsite on the opposite bank (the first campsite is 100 yards from the trailhead). Continue up the valley on the orange blazed trail and pass a small seasonal spring in another 1.0 miles. In 1.1 miles from the spring is the best multi-tent campsite on the circuit, right on the banks of Little Passage Creek. This campsite has a large fire pit with several stone seats.
After passing the campsite cross Little Passage Creek, then back again, and continue 0.3 miles to the intersection of the blue blazed Gap Creek Trail. On the left/east bank of Little passage Creek is another multi-tent campsite with a large fire pit and stone seats.
From the orange blazed Massanutten Trail, turn right uphill on the blue blazed Gap Creek Trail for the steepest section of the route. In 0.8 miles arrive at the ridge of Middle Mountain, and third multi-tent campsite.
Turn right on the white blazed trail that leads up to Duncan Knob. In 0.1 miles there is a multi-tent campsite on the right of the trail, and single tent campsite on the left. In another 100 yards from these campsites enter the rock slide portion of the white blazed trail. The blazes can be hard to locate during the rock scramble to the summit. At the top of the rock slide, stay right to the Duncan Knob vista.
After returning to the saddle, and blue blazed Gap Creek Trail, turn right downhill on the west side if the mountain, and in 0.3 miles reach the intersection of the yellow blazed Scothorn Gap Trail. Turn left on the yellow blazed trail and in 0.6 miles pass through a small clearing. In 1.0 mile from the clearing reach at the four way intersection of the Massanutten Trail. The Massanutten Trail comes in from the left and continues straight, and the Scothorn Gap Trail turns right.
Turn left uphill on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail and arrive the ridge line in 0.7 miles. At the ridge there is a nice vista point 100 yards off the trail to the left/north. Continue downhill 0.4 miles on the east side of Middle Mountain as the orange blazed trail steeply descends to the valley, then makes a turn back to the left/north where the descent is less steep.
From the left turn, continue on the trail for 1.8 miles back to the intersection of the Gap Creek Trail. From this point continue straight on the orange blazed Massanutten Trail, retracing your steps across Little passage Creek three times, and arriving back at the trailhead and VA675 in 3.1 miles.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Duncan Knob Hollow Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was a great hike. Unfortunately, I could not finish it because of the bugs! Hikers who attempt this hike in July should be sure to bring plenty of Deet and a hat with a net. I did not see one other hiker or even any footprints the whole day while I was on this hike. There were some horse droppings on the trail, but overall I thought this was a fantastic get away. It's also worth mentioning that the roads leading to the trailhead are a bit tricky. (Some of the roads in Luray are not very well labeled.)
By:
Dogmama
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 30, 2010
Great hike! We camped at the first campsite for two nights which was wonderful -- plenty of room for our group (3 tents and 4 dogs) and close enough to the road that we could enjoy some of the plusher amenities we couldn't if we were backpacking (cooler, grill, etc). We saw no more than about 10 other hikers as well as a group of backpackers which was surprisingly quiet considering it was Memorial Day weekend.
By:
Brandon
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 27, 2010
I did this as an overnighter Saturday night. Nothing really worth mentioning (well, it was cold), except
DIRECTIONS: If you use Google Maps for accurate directions, Google will tell you to turn off Rte 340 onto Rte 211W. That is wrong, because you CANNOT access Bixler's Ferry Rd. from Rte. 211. The CORRECT route is to keep driving south on 340 past the Rte 211 exits, then making the next right turn onto Mechanic Street (you will immediately cross a bridge). Mechanic Street becomes Bixler's Ferry Rd right before you cross Rte 211 on a bridge. This also applies to the Stephens Trail hike.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Duncan knob was a nice hike with some challenging sections, but not too bad overall. We only saw 2 other people during our hike, and only while taking a break on the knob itself.
We had some difficulty locating the trail head following the Google Map directions from Washington, DC. They're 99% accurate, but in final 5 miles "Google" got lost. Off of Bixler's Ferry Rd (VA 684), make a left onto S. Page Valley Rd, (very quickly becomes N Egypt Bend Rd). Make the first right onto Fort Valley Rd. The trail head is in about 2-3 miles and past the "top" of the road. Hard to miss.
The campsites are nice, though the first and third (with the stone chairs) are nicest.
We parked at the trail head and camped at the first site, enduring an unexpected storm overnight. While the trail was wet in some areas, it was not in bad shape the next day. The first part of the hike along the fire road was a little dull-- fairly straight and not too much change in scenery. We did come across 2 snakes right on the trail- one definitely a northern copperhead (who really didn't want to move off of the middle of the trail), and the other possibly a timber rattler, though I don't think so. Gnats were sometimes annoying, but the bugs weren't really that bad. Plenty of horse dung on the trail--so watch wear you step.
The trails are well-marked, except for the white blazes on the knob itself. But we didn't see that as too big a deal. At that point, you know where the top is, so you can navigate yourself up if you want. The view from the knob is pretty great. The blue blaze trail up to the knob is a bit steep, but not terrible. Probably the only section of the trail I would consider calling somewhat difficult.
By:
misha
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, March 07, 2009
The views from Duncan and Stickler Knobs are spectacular. Thanks to recent trail maintenance it is easy to walk everywhere. Campsites along the creek are really 5-star.
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