Rocky Knob off Blue Ridge Pkwy in VA?

[drkelly]

I am wanting to go hiking some where new this weekend. It needs to be within about 2-2.5hrs from the triad area for a day hike. I am thinking about going up to Rocky Knob in VA off the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Apparently there is a nice 10.8 mile loop that takes you down into the Rock Castle Gorge. Anyone ever hiked up there, or do you have another suggestion?

Thanks,
Danny

 

[Reid]

wildcat rock near...uhm...the parkway. ah, just looked it up. Doughton park near roaring gap.

 

[RenegadeT]

I am wanting to go hiking some where new this weekend. It needs to be within about 2-2.5hrs from the triad area for a day hike. I am thinking about going up to Rocky Knob in VA off the Blue Ridge Pkwy. Apparently there is a nice 10.8 mile loop that takes you down into the Rock Castle Gorge. Anyone ever hiked up there, or do you have another suggestion?
Thanks,
Danny

I'm pretty sure thats where I was telling you about. We drove quite a ways down (elevation) to an alternate trailhead, we did not do the 10 miles. We were searching for this geocache (1.6 miles one way hike). Fairly easy walk under lots of trees, good for hot weather, might suck in the cold. It was weird, at the end there was a house, and some bridge to no-where built by a Boy Scout from High Point.

 

[FishHunt]

I second Doughton Park as the place to go hiking. If the Parkway is closed through Doughton Park you can park at the large parking area at the southern end of Doughton Park. The parking area will be on the right as you reach the gates across the BRP at the base of Bluff mtn. You can hike up Bluff Mtn along the Mountain-to-Sea trail and then circle back down (south) to the parkway and then walk the BRP to your vehicle. There is more than a days worth of trails there, 30+ miles they say.

There are a lot of areas and things to see there that are not on any maps. The old "colored only" rest & picnic area is right behind the Bluff's Coffe shop there and the road that leads down to the old water supply lake are just two that come to mind. The walk down to Caudill Cabin is worth your time also.

I think its best to go when there is a chance for snow or the snow is already fallen. You will have the park to yourself most days then.

Here is a picture of the trail shelter at the top of Bluff Mtn from the last time I went hiking there in the snow.

Link for the trails at Doughton Park. ---> http://www.virtualblueridge.com/maps/doughton-park-trails.asp

<><Fish