Tibbet Knob is the sister hike to Big Schloss. Starting from the same parking location at the Wolf Gap Campground the hike heads in the opposite direction along the Tibbet Knob Trail. Although shorter, this hike is not as family friendly because of two short, steep scrambles to the main Tibbet Knob summit.
Big Schloss is one of the most well know, and most panoramic hikes in the region, with an almost 270° vista from the main overlook. Tibbet Knob is nearly identical in distance to the Big Schloss hike, and is every bit as spectacular. Boasting a wider and more spectacular panorama to the north and west, a wonderful vista just below the high point to the east, and probably the most perfectly placed campsite in the whole Great North Mountain area!
Where the Big Schloss hike can draw many people on nicer days, the Tibbet Knob hike generally has a fraction the number of hikers. For vista after vista, without the crowds, this hike is hard to beat.
From the parking area cross VA675 and start up the yellow blazed Tibbet Knob Trail. In 0.5 miles cross over a small summit that provides great views of Big Schloss and Mill Mountain to the northeast.
After crossing the small summit the trail descends, then veers right between the ridges, before turning back to the left steeply uphill. In 0.4 miles from starting up the main ridge, climb the first of two steep sections that may require hand over hand climbing. Both are only 20-30 yards in length.
At the top of the first steep section the trail passes through a flat area before you reach the second steep area. After reaching the top of this scramble follow the trail for the remaining 200 yards to the top of Tibbet Knob, and pass through a thicket to one of the most spectacular overlooks in the whole region. Twenty feet past the overlook there is a great campsite that could accommodate two small tents.
To return just follow the trail back to the Wolf Gap Campground.
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Reviews For The Tibbet Knob Hike (5 Most Recent)
Great Hike, Did this one and Big Schloss the same day...both are great hikes, but this is my favorite.
less traveled and great views and a good workout, Myself and a buddy, didn't run into one person
Trail is in good shape and less traveled than Big Schloss...more remote feeling. You will see a lot of
different birds in this area and will notice the wild grape vines.
By:
Stephanie
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 16, 2008
My friends and I had a lot of fun on this hike! The two rocky areas that we had to climb added excitement to the trip. The only thing negative was that at the top of the mountain the trail keeps going down to a gravel road, and then you have to turn around and go back to get to the parking lot. Other than that the views were amazing and we had a great time!
By:
Kent
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, January 12, 2008
Very nice hike. The description is accurate, but we encountered a few places trees were down over the trail. It was a beautiful day, but we only met one other couple coming down the mountain. It appeared they had spent the night at the campsite because the fire pit still had glowing embers in it.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 22, 2007
We took a different route up than the hike from Wolf Gap. Shorter and less strenuous we hear. Much appreciated, since we were each carrying 30-40lb packs for an overnight on the knob. Reached summit around 6. Terrain was rocky required boots with the packs, but we still don't recommend sneakers for the route we took. Dogs faired well. Temp was around 87 during day with overnight around 60. View is fantastic. We saw no one else the first day. The next day roughly 12-15 people plus dogs from noon to 4pm. Sunset here was awesome. No wildlife to be found, except ravens and turkey vultures. We did find some turkey feathers though. Acorns dropping made it an interesting hike and overnight. Camp spot was prime. Enough foliage to block the wind coming out of the west, so it wasn't too bad. Moon was bright blocking out most of the stars. But can see how it would be perfect for star gazing. We will definitely do this hike again in the fall and maybe winter, we can see how ice and snow would make this a difficult hike, pack or not.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Monday, March 12, 2007
I was pretty impressed by this hike. Nearly half the trail was still covered in 3-5 inches of ice and the first of the two scrambles is completely covered in ice. The ice made it a technical climb up and a fun slide down. I actually climbed back up to slide down again.
This was a 70 degrees day in March and we only saw 2 other groups of people.
There are also a few boulders to free climb if your interested. About 100 yards before the summit, there is a pile of rocks that can entertain the adventerous (hint, come up the trail-side for an inverted rock summit, awsome).
I too would not recommend this hike for children or older people. There are steep lengthy step downs/ups that could prove dangerous.
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