Length: 3 miles out and back
Starting location: Top of Shenandoah Mountain on Rt. 33. From Harrisonburg, VA, travel 22 miles west on Rt. 33 to the top of the mountain; the parking lot is on your left after crossing into West Virginia. The trailhead is in the far corner of the parking lot, next to the road.
Difficulty: moderate (short, but steep and rocky in some places)
Description: You will begin walking on the northern end of the Shenandoah Mountain Trail; see more about this long-distance ridge-top trail in last month's post. To begin, walk around the parking lot guardrail and carefully climb down the rocks on the yellow-blazed trail. The trail will quickly level out to a rolling dirt path, and then climb steadily. After one mile, the trail will intersect with High Knob Trail. To the right, the trail descends to Brandywine Lake. Take the left-most trail toward High Knob. It will immediately ascend sharply and emerge onto a gravel road. Turn right on the road. After about ¼ mile, take the trail to the left at the sign. Continue up grassy road to the tower (it will feel like more than ¼ mile - just keep trudging)!
High Knob Fire Tower
Follow same trail back to the parking lot.
The trail is open to horses and bikes.
Why we like it: This hike is short with a big pay-off. High Knob, at elevation of 4,107 feet, offers incredible views all the way around. The old fire detection tower was built by World War I veterans and the Civilian Conservation Corps and was once used by fire wardens for spotting fires. The tower was renovated in 2001-2003 and today is a beautiful reminder of our past; with population increases, fire wardens are no longer necessary in our national forests. On each side of the fire tower, a legend identifying the distant mountains is posted in an upper window.
Watch out for:
- Poison ivy and thistles may be present on the rocks at the beginning of the trail, and in the grassy area surrounding the fire tower. Be alert!
- Expect higher winds and colder temps at this elevation.
- The fire tower is a good birding location; you might see peregrine falcons, hawks, migratory song birds, and other rare species.
- To the east from High Knob, you can see Switzer Lake at the bottom of the mountain. Switzer is the drinking water reservoir for the city of Harrisonburg; you can drive there on FDR 227, descending to the south from Rt. 33 about halfway up the mountain.
Shutt family from Mt. Solon enjoy summer hike to High Knob