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.

Had showers on Saturday morning, and starting out on the Massanutten Trail it felt like the mist you see in the western cascades this time of year. Did this route solo, and made fairly decent time of 6 hours for the complete 13 mile circuit. Also planted the first of our sassafras hiking sticks for the year.

I didn’t make it up the rock scramble (video) just below Duncan Knob, as the boulders were still slick from the rain earlier. This is definitely a nice longer version of the Duncan Knob Hike that comes in from the west, with two great multi-tent campsites on Little Passage Creek, and I ran into a group of scouts on their way to Scothorn Gap for the night.

We couldn’t have asked for a nicer day in March. With temps in the low 60’s, and sunny weather, this was a great way to start the 2007 hiking season. The only tough part Saturday was kicking trail in the remaining snow cover. Kicking trail for 5 hours made the 8.5 mile hike feel more like 12.

But this is one of our favorites for several reasons. The Little North Mountain ridge has some of the best consistent views along a single trail in the area. What also adds to the appeal is the complete solitude, as this loop hike can only be completed by bushwhacking up the Cedar Creek valley. You will rarely see anyone else on this hike.

If you’re an experienced hiker who doesn’t mind a little bushwhacking, the rewards are great, once you get to the ridge and the Tuscarora Trail. The first two miles north on the trail have beautiful grassy areas, with vista after vista to the east.

Another one of our winter favorites. Not to long, and when there is snow on the ground, as there was Saturday, you don‘t have to spend very much effort kicking a trail through it. Also, with the clear skies in this colder weather, we had views all the way to the Shenandoah National Park.

In a review posted by Quanta, they mentioned that they saw quite a few other hikers on the Big Schloss Hike Saturday the 10th. We didn’t see a single person on the Tibbet Knob Trail the same day, and it looked like we were the first people up the trail since it had snowed earlier in the week. If you like Big Schloss you’ll love Tibbet Knob as well.

With vistas all the way up the ridge, as well as the panoramic view from the summit, this is one hike that is on our list as a must do at least once a year. Get out and do this little out/back before everyone finds out about it. You may still have the chance to have this one to yourself for the day.

This short out and back hike is about as good as it get's so close to the D.C. Metro area. Winding over two ridges before arriving at the Raven Rocks wall, you gain over 1,500 feet of altitude in total. As you can see from the elevation profile, this one can be a good workout.

With Saturday in the upper 50's, we managed to make this hike in t-shirts, instead of the fleeces we usually wear this time of year. And with spring not to far away, days like these make you want to head further west to hike in the larger mountains of West Virginia and western Virginia.

The view from Raven Rocks is one of the best in the area. This is also a popular area with rock climbers, as it can be accessed by a road 0.4 miles from the east.  With some of the rockiest trails in the area, make sure to wear sturdy footwear.