In keeping with the “High-something” theme, the third of my
Sixty Summits quest would be High Knob, a moderate hike I’d stumbled on whilst
searching the internet for possibilities.
I departed solo for this one late in the day on May 31st. It was a longish drive over to Brandywine
Recreation Area just across the West Virginia line, but a very nice campground
awaited with plenty of sites to spare—and ample warnings about hungry bears. The tent pad was perfect and I slept the night
without a stir.
3. High Knob: The
trail leaves the back of the campground and I was on it around 7:30 am. I borrowed a walking stick from the forest,
which was used primarily for clacking against trees now and again, just in case
(as an alternative to bear bells). A
very pleasant hike up a sometimes steep-ish ridge led two miles-plus to a fire
road near the crest, followed by a short path then a few more yards of gravel road
to the tippy top, where a fire lookout and outside catwalk afforded views in
all directions. For such a pretty hike
and worthy destination, I was a little surprised that I encountered no one
coming up as I descended the 2,100 feet back to camp. I was packed in no time and on my way to the
day’s second summit, Spruce Knob.
Miles (RT): 5.8
miles; elevation gain: 2,110 feet
Cumulative mileage and gain:
10.5 miles / 3,440 feet
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