There is one trail in the Rich Hole Wilderness, and it has parking areas at either end. The northern parking area is on old U.S. 60 right next to Interstate 64. I cannot think of any other wilderness areas in Virginia that are this close to an interstate exit. To get there, take Interstate 64 west past Lexington to Exit 43, the Goshen exit, then follow Route 850 (the old U.S. 60) to the northern trailhead. There is a pulloff on the right side of the road, a wilderness sign, and a large kiosk about 50 yards up the trail that is visible from the road.
Starting from the north, the steepest part of the trail is right at the beginning. The trail gains over 1000 feet in the first 1.2 miles. The highlight of the climb at the beginning is a large rock overlook about 0.6 miles into the hike. Hike a little further, round a couple of curves, and you reach the steepest section of the day, but it is short. For about 750 feet, the trail climbs at a 28% grade, which would translate to a 1500 feet elevation gain over a mile. Elevation gain over this section is just over 200 feet. I remember this section being brutal when I hiked it 15 years ago, but steepness seems to increase in my memory - it wasn't that bad, or that long, this time.
After this climb, the trail goes around the top of the mountain (it does not crest the mountain), and then drops 2100 feet over the next 5 miles to its low point at the southern parking area. The trail follows the North Branch, Simpson Creek between Brushy Mountain and Mill Mountain and crosses Simpson Creek so many times you sometimes think the creek IS the trail. The challenge is to get across all 16 stream crossings (plus two side streams) with dry feet. I failed. And then, unless you have a car shuttle, you have the same challenge on the return trip. I failed again on the way back.
From Wandering Virginia http://www.wanderingvirginia.com/2015/01/rich-hole-wilderness-west-of-lexington.html
Starting from the north, the steepest part of the trail is right at the beginning. The trail gains over 1000 feet in the first 1.2 miles. The highlight of the climb at the beginning is a large rock overlook about 0.6 miles into the hike. Hike a little further, round a couple of curves, and you reach the steepest section of the day, but it is short. For about 750 feet, the trail climbs at a 28% grade, which would translate to a 1500 feet elevation gain over a mile. Elevation gain over this section is just over 200 feet. I remember this section being brutal when I hiked it 15 years ago, but steepness seems to increase in my memory - it wasn't that bad, or that long, this time.
After this climb, the trail goes around the top of the mountain (it does not crest the mountain), and then drops 2100 feet over the next 5 miles to its low point at the southern parking area. The trail follows the North Branch, Simpson Creek between Brushy Mountain and Mill Mountain and crosses Simpson Creek so many times you sometimes think the creek IS the trail. The challenge is to get across all 16 stream crossings (plus two side streams) with dry feet. I failed. And then, unless you have a car shuttle, you have the same challenge on the return trip. I failed again on the way back.
From Wandering Virginia http://www.wanderingvirginia.com/2015/01/rich-hole-wilderness-west-of-lexington.html