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)
Started at 7 am. Didnt see another soul either up or back. wore crampons which helped. should have brought my snowshoes, not because the snow was deep, but it was a little slow going as the folks that hiked after the big storm didnt wear snowshoes so the trail was full of foot holes and in a few places the trail was covered with snow drift. Not good for the ankles or kness when you dont know whats coming ! the 2 rock scrambles at the top were easier than norm because of the snow pack. a must if you are looking for a 2.5 hour up and back with solitude in the snow.
By:
Peter
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Date of Hike: Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I went on this hike this afternoon. First of all there are great views along this hike within 10 minutes of the start of it. I would say that the first half hour of the hike is really easy, and warrants a 2. However, that said, after that there is basically a straight and rather continuously increasing grade uphill climb straight to the top of Tibbet Knob. Also this is not a hike that you should do in the snow at this point, the snow was quite deep still, and when you get to the rocks it becomes very precarious. I was about 20 yards from the top (I think) when I decided it was too unsafe to continue, and struggled my way back down. Twice the snow (which was packed) nearly broke my leg, and once I almost slid right off the cliff. My advice is that you wait until it warms to do this hike. On the way back, I got to admire that view again that is 10-15 minutes from the start of the trail. It was sunset, and you could see Woodstock, Va in the distance. This will be one of my favorite hikes this spring....
By:
Robert Godlove
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Date of Hike: Monday, November 09, 2009
Nice Hike...Always like the knob, went out and back with a total of 10 hikers from age 8-42, Great views, never as congested as Big Schloss, Picked up some candy bar wrappers and brought out to the trash can, I must say Tibbet Knob is nice for hiking and views, Had great weather, clear 50-60degrees, light breeze
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Hiked both Tibbet Knob and Big Schloss today with my son. Both trails are very well marked and both have panoramic views. This trail was a little more fun because of the rock scrambling and there is a really nice campsite at the top. We met a father and daughter coming down who had spent the night there.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, August 16, 2009
This is a challenging but short hike. The scrambles will challenge you but the views are definitely worth it. I hiked this with a friend and we only came across a couple of people who were heading down when we were heading up. The trail is pretty well maintained and well marked. Don't be fooled by the short distance of this hike, you do gain over 800 feet in elevation in roughly a mile and a half and there are some flat stretches so that should tell you that the ascents are pretty steep. The views are pretty good from the top and along the way. From the top you can look from oh almost due North to able Southwest, so a pretty nice panorama.
This is a good trail to do if you don't want to commit to an all-day hike or if you want to combine with Big Schloss. With the campsites right at the start of this trail, this would be a good one for campers to do. There is plenty of parking and vaulted bathrooms so its one of the more accomodating hike sites.
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