Elliot Knob is the highest point in the GWNF, and one of the highest peaks in Virginia. Just west of Staunton and secluded in Buffalo Gap, this hike features two waterfalls, several great views to the west and east, and a grass covered summit. If you're lucky, this hidden treasure can be all yours for a day.
At 0.4 miles pass a small logging road on your right, the first of four. In 0.6 miles from the parking area the trail makes a turn to the left before entering the first of three small clearings at 0.8 miles.
Pass through the clearings and arrive at Falls Hollow Run on your right in another 0.6 miles. Continue up the trail, cross the run, and in 50 yards reach the first of the two main falls. Cross the run again, where the trail becomes steep, then arrive at the largest set of falls in another 0.3 miles. There is a yellow diamond on a tree, and small pile of rocks marking the falls.
In another 0.1 miles the trail turns off the old FS road to the left. The turn is marked by three yellow diamonds. The old Falls Hollow Trail continues straight and is no longer navigable.
After turning left on the yellow blazed trail continue 0.8 miles, crossing two small spurs, and passing through a utility clear cut before arriving at an access road. Turn right uphill on the yellow blazed dirt access road for the steepest part of the hike before arriving at a spring and small pond in 1.0 miles.
Continue along the road as it passes a small stand of spruce, winds back to the right, then to the left, passes the yellow blazed North Mountain Trail and transmission station, then enters another stand of spruce and flatter area.
At this point the dirt road you have been following turns to the right towards the transmission station. Turn left onto the trail that climbs on the west side of the mountain and up to the grass covered summit in another 0.1 miles. The lookout tower was built in 1958 and hasn't been used since the early sixties. If you are doing this hike as a backpack there are two sheltered campsites under a stand of spruce at the summit.
To return retrace the route you took up. However, be alert for the left turn off the steep dirt access road onto the trail that leads back towards the run. There are three yellow diamonds making the intersection, take the immediate left onto he trail.
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Hiker
Reviews For The Elliot Knob Hike (5 Most Recent)
This was an excellent hike. It was raining the entire way up and the trail drained well so except for the very first half mile there weren't many puddles or mud. The second half of the hike is now not so much a dirt road as much as it is new gravel. Once you get on the gravel road, make sure to take note of what the path looks like because it could be easy to miss it on the way back down. Also, don't expect to get into that observation tower at the summit unless you're comfortable climbing over barbed wire. There is a gate around it and it's locked. The view from the top seems like it would have been amazing except visibility was extremely low. Overall it was a really enjoyable day at at times, in the mist, it felt more like Washington than Virginia.
By:
Kevin
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, June 26, 2010
The woods part of the trail (2/3 of the hike) is nicely marked and well maintained. Unfortunately the last 1+ mile to the summit is up a gravel access road to various electronic towers that are located just short of the summit. There is currently road construction going on with a bull dozer and roller which is somewhat loud and definitely interferes with the "woodsy feel". Also, the tower at the top is kept secured (although access is possible) Overall a nice hike, it will be better once the road equipment is removed.
Kevin
By:
Jeff
Rating:
Date of Hike: Friday, May 28, 2010
Took the longer but more gradual hike south (up) from trailhead on 688 / Parkersburg Turnpike (see http://bit.ly/dc323s).* Camped over 2 very quiet, peaceful nights on summit under the spruce trees, and the spring is flowing quiet well. Saw a mother bear and several cubs, a 2-foot mostly-black rattler, tall spikey white flowers, a couple of orange salamanders, polywogs in the pond, the usual buzzards soaring by, and one shirtless male primate running (!) up from Rt 42. Had a mix of warm sunshine, cool passing fog banks, or a couple of thunderstorms. *Trail from 688: trail is getting bushy in spots but still quite passable and pleasant. Lots of poison ivy within the first 200 yards. We didn't investigate the spring at the "8 / 2" mile mark. All in all, a great getaway.
By:
Mdk
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Went with my wife and son and our friend Denise. This was a nice walk in the woods, overgrown in spots. The road towards the tower was brutal. Didn't add to the beauty of the hike that's for sure. Once at the top, the view is nice. I climbed to the top of the tower, but it was VERY windy and it made me nervous. Still got some good shots.
Nice hike, but that road took away from it. I also liked the Spruce part.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 16, 2010
Just finished hiking in heavy snow--a slosh fest but well worth it. Followed two pairs of interesting tracks for about two miles in the snow. Each looked like a big cat print, with the larger track as wide as my palm--a cougar?
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